(Traveled 09/15/25 MO @ 9:00am): A small regional airport operating on an island in the middle of a…read morecity!
I recently traveled through Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) on a Porter Airlines to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This was my first experience with this airport and honestly had no idea it even existed, as I've always traveled through Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Opened in 1939 as Port George VI Island Airport, then in 1990 renamed to Toronto City Centre Airport, and then in 2009 renamed to its current name of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport after the WWI Canadian pilot flying ace and WWII Air Marshal, William "Billy" Bishop. It served mostly short-hauled flights to destinations across Canada and the USA by Air Canada and Porter Airlines. To access the airport, there was a free-use pedestrian tunnel, ferry service, and of course by car. As of 2025, it was ranked Canada's 12th busiest airport, and has proven to be a viable option to Toronto Pearson International Airport, especially if your destination was Old Toronto. Would I consider Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for my next trip into Canada or Toronto specifically!?
PURCHASE(S)
Porter Airlines ($226.00CAD / $161.54USD): Purchased online as a partner with Alaska Airlines prior to my departing flight, I'll cover this with more details in a separate review.
Market@416 ($32.89CAD / $23.59USD): A casual meal prior to my departing flight, I'll cover this with more details in a separate review.
SERVICE
Upon arrival, Customs and Security were a breeze especially since I only had one carry-on and a backpack, my digital ticket was safely on my phone, and all directional signage was straightforward. Upon departure, it was pretty much the same. The only people I actually dealt with were the usually stoic Customs Agents; otherwise, I was self-sufficient and didn't need any assistance. Getting in and out of the terminals was a very pleasant experience - thank you!
PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance)
There were parking structures with both short- and long-term options. However, this airport had a very good transit system that consisted of buses, taxi cab service, and Lyft or Uber stations. So, why would you park!? But, if you needed to park a vehicle, hourly rates up to a 2-hour maximum were about $5.00CAD per 20 minutes. Daily rates from self-parking to valet started from $35.00CAD and up.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A smallish-sized spacious airport with parking structures, one passenger terminal and an aforementioned convenient transit system! Once inside, easily marked directional escalators, stairs, bright electric lighting, a nice mix of natural lighting as you made your way through parts of the airport, minimal shops and reasonably-priced eateries along the way to your gate. Various advertisements and decorations hung from the walls which gave the place some color. Additionally, there was an exhibit, plane, and a statue, all with some historical significance. The walking aisles were wide and had signage in various languages. There were TV monitors throughout while announcements over the loudspeakers and the chatter of fellow travelers served as your background music.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. I liked to be unencumbered and unfettered, so the least amount of clothing, especially while I traveled through an airport the better!
OVERALL
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) was a pleasant surprise due to easy navigation, all helpful smiling employees, and the simple ease of everything. The airport was limited in scope from the airlines it served to the dining and shopping options mainly due to its size, but what you had was more than sufficient and straightforward. Generally-speaking, the less time I spent at an airport the better. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $259.00CAD BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, although I didn't actually purchase anything at the airport itself, all businesses inside and outside accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS