The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Turns 15: Award Winning Hotel Offers Specials in 2014

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is to the right of the control tower at YVR. 

Hard to believe The Fairmont Vancouver Airport turns 15 this year. When it opened in 1999, there was no shortage of buzz. As the first hotel in the world to offer in-room airline check-in service, it was also the first in North America to provide satellite check-in kiosks. I've stayed at the hotel several times (once on the allergy free floor), and it's one of my favorites. The 392-room hotel is accessed by an escalator from the US Departures Terminal at Vancouver International Airport.

To celebrate the occasion, each month through October 2014, there will be "15" offerings from the hotel and guests may share their favorite memories through social media at #FairmontYVR15. Current specials are featured on their website, including a limited number of $15 room rates on the actual anniversary date of October 7. A year-round Celebrating Anniversaries package offers rooms from $249 with a $15 per person food and beverage credit. Reservations may be made through 800.441.4114 or www.fairmont.com.

A well appointed and comfortable room at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport.

No surprise The Fairmont Vancouver Airport picked up Best Airport Hotel in North America in 2011 and 2012 by Skytrax World Airport Survey. The hotel features a full-service health club, mechanized lap pool, spa, restaurant and lounge that caters to a variety of dietary needs. and top notch business facilities.

The hotel also offers a number of unique packages. If you're traveling to the sun, store your winter woolies at the hotel and retrieve them on your return; newlyweds may leave the wedding gown behind and pick it up cleaned and boxed following their fly-away honeymoon; and families may book a second room at half price.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport also has a Fish Valet who "checks in" prize catches upon their return from BC's west coast fishing lodges. The hotel stores them in its special fish freezer on the Departures level. Recent "stayovers" included a 900-lb. sturgeon and a 180-lb. halibut, while others end up on dinner plates, courtesy of the hotel's chef. And on the human side of things, blogger Jaeger Mah "lived" at the airport for 80 days, which I wrote about in a previous blog post. How fun would that be?

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport. Photos by Sue Frause.

Tim Hortons Celebrates 50 Years with New Logo and Packaging

Timbits and coffee at Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec City. Photo by Sue Frause.

I didn't realize Tim Hortons turned 50 until I arrived at Quebec City Jean Lasage International Airport. It's my size airport, and after checking my bag through to Seattle (via Air Canada to Montreal and Vancouver), there was a Tim Hortons glowing bright right before security. Gotta have my Timbits!

If you're not familiar with Timbits (pictured here before I devoured them), they're the brand name of doughnut holes sold at Tim Hortons. They were introduced in 1976 and available in various flavors that differ from store to store. But I prefer the plain cake doughnut hole.

Back to Tim's golden celebration. First off, they introduced cups featuring the new 50th anniversary logo and 50 Years Fresh tagline. Although it looks like my cup here at the airport is leftover from the holidays, the bag with the Timbits has the new look.

Tim Horton opened in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964 and today they have 4,350 restaurants across Canada, the US and Gulf Cooperation Council (read my post about their restaurant in Dubai). They claim to serve nearly eight out of every 10 cups of coffee served in Canada! The chain was founded by professional hockey player Tim Horton, who died in a car accident in 1974.

Tim Hortons 50th anniversary party will be held May 17, 2014. In the meantime, you can follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@TimHortons) and via #Tims50th on Facebook.

Read more about Quebec City at my EatPlaySleep blog.

Canada's newest (and greenest) airport makes its debut in Winnipeg, Manitoba

I flew to Winnipeg on Oct. 30, 2011 en route to Churchill, Manitoba. It just happened to be the day the new terminal at the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport officially opened. It was a total airport day for me, as earlier I'd spend part of my layover in Vancouver chatting with Jaeger Mah, the storyteller at YVR who was wrapping up his 80 days living at Vancouver International Airport.

I was at the airport in the central Canada capital of Winnipeg about eight years ago during a trip to Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The 1964-built terminal wasn't memorable, so I can't compare old and new. But the big, bright new terminal in Winnipeg is right up there with airports I've been to in Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore. Beautiful!

The $585 redevelopment started nearly a decade ago. It's the largest construction project in Winnipeg's history, and includes a new parkade that was completed in 2005, and now the 51,000 square meter terminal building. LEED Certified, its 10,000 square meters of glass brings in natural light, reducing electrical consumption and greenhouse gases by 52% over comparable buildings. The curtain wall ventilation system distributes air with maximum efficiency, and the space is Manitoban in feel, with locally sourced granite and native prairie grass landscaping.

The second-story departure level has wrap-around views of Winnipeg's skyline and Manitoba's big sky. The most distinct feature, seen in the top photo, is a constellation of 55 skylights in the arrival area. Master architect was Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects of New Haven, CT -- which also designed the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the International Finance Centre in Hong Kong and Haneda Airport in Tokyo. It does have an Asian air about it. Well, except for the restaurant offerings! There are local outlets: Stella's Cafe & Bakery (fifth location in Winnipeg) and a diner called Salisbury House (famous for its Nip burgers and the Winni hot dog). There's also T.G.I.Fridays, Starbucks, and of course, Tim Hortons for your Timbits fix.

I didn't have time to check out all the art, but did see the four-meter tall bronze statue of James Armstrong Richardson, a gift from Winnipeg's prominent Richardson family. Richardson is considered Canada's commercial aviation pioneer -- he was a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force and founder of Canada's first national carrier, Western Carrier Airways Ltd. Elsewhere in the terminal is glass artist Warren Carther's Aperture, a pair of glowing green mini icebergs in the Queens Court area of the departure level.  On the arrival level is Winnipeg artist Joel Berman's Inside Ice, which looks like an iceberg cascading down the ceiling.

As far as passenger amenities, there are now 32 common-use kiosks for check-in that can be used for all carriers -- bags are dropped off at a common area. James Armstrong Richardson International Airport currently handles 3.4 million passengers a year, with the volume expected to reach 4.6+ million by 2020. And that number was forecast before the return of the Winnipeg Jets and the opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Photos by Sue Frause

Jaeger Mah wraps up his 80 days at Vancouver International Airport

Photo by Sue Frause

I was able to meet up with Jaeger Mah, the 29-year-old Vancouver resident who lived at Vancouver International Airport for 80 days. It was Jaeger's final week as an airport dweller, and The Port Alberni native invited me for a coffee last Sunday during my three-hour layover from Seattle to Winnipeg. Jaeger was selected from a field of 96 competitors to be a special correspondent at YVR for 80 days and 80 nights. It was all to celebrate the 80th anniversary of YVR, Canada's second largest airport, located on Sea Island in Richmond. In addition to being the airport's storyteller through his videos and blogs posted at www.liveatyvr.ca, he received $15,000 for his unique airport gig.

When I arrived at YVR from Seattle on the morning of Oct. 30, I tweeted Jaeger, who tweeted me back that he was editing videos in his suite at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport (not a bad place to hang your hat for 80 days). He suggested we meet at Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge, close to my gate in YVR's Domestic Terminal. What a fun and friendly guy! Dressed casually, including flip-flops but minus his trademark Hawaiian shirt, he offered to make me a Mochachino -- a special coffee with Baileys Irish Cream.

Jaeger (which is German, Mah is Chinese) said he's long had a craving for adventure. The nine-year Vancouver resident, who runs a video production company out of his home, said the biggest surprise about his time at YVR was the love from his fans. Oh sure, he missed home cooking and having friends over, but how can you complain about arriving at a new job in a London Air Lear jet?

Plus, he made all those new friends (YVR has 23,600 employees) while sharing his stories with the world. Jaeger got caught up in the energy of the airport ("it consumes you") and is impressed with YVR's commitment to technology and the environment. Some of his highlights included meeting with pilots, assisting in a runway safety check, finding Sea Island's Queen Bee and conquering the control tower.

On Nov. 4, YVR held a farewell ceremony for Jaeger prior to his departure from the airport at 11 AM. He was made an honorary Green Coat, plus YVR produced a  special farewell video for Jaeger. Bon Voyage, Airport Man!

Gander, Newfoundland pays tribute to its role in 9/11

Photo courtesy Mark G. Pakaluk

"On September 11, 2001, 39 heavy aircraft were diverted to Gander International Airport when airspace was closed in the United States because of tragic terrorist hijackings. Runway 13/31 was converted to a temporary aircraft parking ramp. The airport terminal was turned into an aid centre as food and clothing was distributed to stranded passengers. The airport and its surrounding community afterwards received high praise for their response to the tragedy."

That's from the main page of Gander International Airport's website. Ten years ago, the airport and community of Gander were a beacon of light for the "plane people" -- the 6,579 airline passengers and crew members who were stranded in Newfoundland on Sept. 11, 2001 and for the days following the tragedy known forever as 9/11.

A decade later, Gander is being remembered for its generosity and kindness, from Peter Greenberg's piece on CBS to President Obama praising the people of Central Newfoundland. And the community and its residents are also remembering. There are many events this weekend, including a Beyond Words Tribute Concert  at the Gander Community Centre featuring Mick Davis & His Skinny Jims, The Navigators, Shanneyganock and Blue Eyed Blonde.

A group of amateur radio operators from Central Newfoundland will be on the air Sept. 10-11, using the call sign of VO1GAM9, a special event call sign that will commemorate to ham radio operators around the world the role that Gander played in 9/11.

I've never been to Gander, a town of nearly 10,000 people located on the northeastern part of the island of Newfoundland. In fact, I've never been to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and it's next on my Canadian bucket list. I found it interesting that many of the streets in Gander are named after such famous aviators as Amelia Earhart, Marc Garneau (Canada's first NASA Space shuttle astronaut), Charles Lindbergh,  the Wright Brothers and Chuck Yeager.

Live at YVR for 80 days? Vote for your favorite airport dweller

Nearly 100 people submitted videos in the Live@YVR contest held by Vancouver International Airport. Yup, 96 adventurous souls responded to the invitation to spend 80 days and 80 nights at YVR's Sea Island home. It's all a part of YVR's 80th anniversary celebration. From that large lot, five finalists were selected from across British Columbia. The winner will be employed as a special correspondent at YVR, Canada's second busiest airport. Here are the finalists in alphabetical order:

Carrie Dymond (The Dance), 36, Vancouver (originally from Hamilton, Ontario)
Christopher Jordan Lee (Chris Lee at the Tool Library!), 22, Maple Ridge
Jaeger Mah (The Heart of YVR), 29, Vancouver (originally from Port Alberni, BC)
Marelle Reid (Circus School), 29, Coquitlam
Sarah Szlobody (Sorry YVR I Tried!), 24, Vancouver (originally from Richland, BC

Rebecca Catley, Director of Communications for Vancouver Airport Authority, said they were "incredibly impressed by the quality and quantity of video entries." But now it's up to the public to decide who will tell the behind the scenes tales of YVR. Vote online at www.liveatyvr.ca until Aug. 5, 2011. The selected correspondent will sleep at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, live in the YVR community and experience the endless stories of YVR’s 23,600 employees and 400 businesses.

The Live@YVR correspondent will be equipped with a camera and editing equipment act as an all-in-one producer, director, reporter, editor and post-production supervisor. He or she will uncover stories and share the trials and tribulations of living full time at an airport on the Live@YVR website, Facebook and Twitter.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel (at right) at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). As seen from Pacific Coastal Airlines. Photo by Sue Frause.

Happy Anniversary, YVR! Vancouver International Airport Turns 80 Years Old

Vancouver International Airport aboard London Air Services helicopter en route from Sonora Resort Photo by Sue Frause

YVR is lookin' pretty good for being 80 years old. When Vancouver International Airport opened in 1931, it only had a single runway and a small, wooden building. Today, it's a world-class airport that serves 16.8 million passengers and employs 23,600 people.

To celebrate the July 22 milestone anniversary, the Vancouver Airport Authority is throwing a public celebration at the airport with free open houses on July 22-23 from 10-3 daily. Highlights include:

• 80 Memorable Moments Photo Gallery: Relive YVR's 70 years through a photographic display. The gallery runs from the Domestic Terminal food court to the International Terminal's "Spirit of Haida Gwaii." Level 3 of the Main Terminal.
• In-Terminal Entertainment: Live DJs, magicians, face painters, balloon twisters and lots of giveaways. Lunch specials and product sampling at YVR restos and shops. Main Terminal Building (Domestic and International).
• Airside Ballet: YVR's airfield firefighting emergency trucks showcase their unique "ballet" in a display of coordination, timing and sheer equipment size. Domestic Terminal, Public Observation Area, Friday and Saturday at 11 AM.
• Vintage Aircraft Display and Flypast: See vintage aircraft parked on at the original location of the airport. Best views are from the outdoor viewing platform. Flypast by the Fraser Blues on Friday at 2 PM. South Terminal Building, south side apron.

An 80th Anniversary Grand Prize will be given away to a lucky winner during the two-day celebration. Just pick up one of the commemorative brochures from the Green Coat volunteers for a chance to win a two-night stay in a deluxe room at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport plus $200 YVR bucks.

Globe@YVR: The Farmont Vancouver Airport Hotel's restaurant is celebrating with a Five Course Anniversary Table d'Hote menu, priced at $80 per person (plus taxes). The hotel is also offering a special: Book two nights in a row between July 22-31 and receive the second night at the anniversary rate of $80.

Discount Parking: Locals and visitors are encouraged to take the Canada Line to YVR. If you drive, pick up a $5 flat-rate parking coupon good for up to four hours at YVR's Customer Care counters in the Main Terminal. Complimentary shuttles will transport visitors between the Mai and South Terminals from 10-3 each day.

Live at YVR for 80 Days: Read my previous blog post about a contest to select a lucky person to live at YVR for 80 days!

BC Residents: Live at YVR for 80 days and share your stories

So sorry I'm not a BC resident! YVR (Vancouver International Airport) is celebrating its 80th anniversary in a very big way. They're holding a contest to select the perfect person to live at YVR for 80 days and share his/her stories with the world. Wow. Live, sleep, eat and shop for 80 days in a row!

The winner's stories, videos and photos will be posted on the Live@YRV online channel. During your 80 days, you'll receive hotel accomodation at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, camera, editing equipment and have access to all the people and places that make YVR tick. Even behind the scene stuff. The job includes interviewing people, producing, directing, reporting, editing and doing the post-production of all the online stories. Here are the requirements:

• Be at least 19 years of age by 8/17/11
• Be a resident of British Columbia
• Be the sole producer, videographer and editor of the video submission
• Be willing and able to live at YVR for 80 consecutive days from 8/17-11/4, 2011
• Be available for up to three (3) das of orientation and briefings from 8/15-17, 2011
• Be generally awesome

How to submit your audition video for Live@YVR, which must follow these guidelines:

• Tells the story of a person, place or event in the community
• Is a maximum length of three (3) minutes
• Is shot and edited solely by you
• Shows us your interview skills
• Includes some footage of you on camera
• Is accompanied by a text description, to be entered on the contest entry form, in 100 words or less, that describes the video and answers the question “Why do you think you should be the Live@YVR Storyteller?”
• Is in English

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Fairmont Vancouver Airport from HeliJet

Photo by Sue Frause

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport: Best North American Airport Hotel

One of my favorite airport hotels, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport, was awarded Best Airport Hotel - North America at the 2011 World Airport Awards held on March 30, 2011 in Copenhagen. This is the first year that airport hotels have been included in the annual awards.

 The Fairmont Vancouver Airport came in the number one spot over the Grand Hyatt Dallas/Fort Worth and the Westin Detroit Metropolitan. The hotel also placed fifth in the world for Best Airport Hotel Worldwide.

The Skytrax World Airport Survey was distributed to more than 11 million passengers around the world, representing more than 100 nationalities and 240+ airports. The results were tabulated from more than 860,000 responses from guests who rated their hotel experiences.

I've stayed at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport several times, and it's truly tops. Located just above the USA Departures Level of YVR, it has 392 spacious and fully soundproof guestrooms and suites. All have floor to ceiling views of the runways, ocean and mountains. A designated Quiet Zone floor offers day use rooms for travelers on long layovers, and a Hypoallergenic Floor features low-allergen amenities.

All guests may enjoy Globe@YVR restaurant and the Jetside Bar (both with runway views) for dining and beverages. The full-service Absolute Spa and a health club is also on site.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport

Photo by Sue Frause

Kelowna International Airport now Canada's 10th busiest

I was impressed that the airport in Kelowna, BC is known as Kelowna International Airport (YLW). It had been a while since I'd flown to this Okanagan city from Seattle, but when I arrived last week for a four-night stay in nearby Vernon, it looked a whole lot bigger than before.

The airport is located on the former site of the Dickinson Ranch in Ellison, and was purchased by the City of Kelowna in 1945 for a mere $20,000. Planes started landing the following year, and in 1947 it officially opened. Its lone runway was a 3,000-ft. grass strip, which was converted nine years later to gravel, and eventually paved.

Over the years, vast improvements have been made, and in 2008 it extended its runway to 8,900 ft. at a cost of $8 million. No longer merely a continental airport, it now has international status. Passenger numbers at YLW in 2010 were an impressive 1,391,725 -- a 1.76 per cent increase over 2009. The 24-hour airport is now the 10th busiest in Canada. Plans for 2011 include expansion of the international customs hall and improvements to the U.S. flight boarding procedures.

I was most impressed by the YLW staff, decked out in red blazers. After going through Canada Customs, a friendly staffer directed us to the airport's baggage claim area. She even asked one passenger if she could help him with his bags!

My other O Canada! moment was when I spotted a Tim Hortons in the arrivals terminal. Since I had an hour before my shuttle was scheduled to depart for Silver Mountain Resort, I popped into Timmy's for an egg salad sandwich. But I passed on the Timbits -- I'd pick up a few on my return flight back home.

But my Tim's moment didn't end at YLW. Our shuttle driver stopped at one of the five Tim Hortons in Vernon to get a cup of coffee for the 45-minute trip up to Silver Star Mountain. I was definitely back in Canada.

Tim Hortons at Kelowna International Airport
Photo by Sue Frause

Vancouver International Airport (YVR): Best Airport in North America

Somehow I missed the announcement of the Skytrax World Airport Awards earlier this year. The awards are based on the votes of more than 9.8 million travelers from 100+ countries around the world. The survey of airport customers was conducted between July 2009 and March 2010.

Canada's Vancouver International Airport was named Best Airport in North America. It ranked 11th in the worldwide rankings (Singapore Changi Airport was first), moving up from 22nd place in 2009. Coming in second and third for Best Airport in North America were San Francisco and Denver.

The awards ceremony was held at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2010 in Brussels, Belgium on March 23, 2010.

World's Top Ten Airports
Singapore Changi Airport
Incheon International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Munich Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Zurich Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport
Auckland Int'l Airport
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Photo of Vancouver International Airport by Sue Frause while aboard London Air Services helicopter from Sonora Resort.

Window on Canada: Aloft Montreal Airport's w xyz bar (PHOTO)

The w xyz bar at Aloft Montreal Airport is a welcome sight after a long flight. Aloft is a "vision" (division) of W Hotels. Sue Frause photo.

Air travel: Expect delays into US due to attempted attack on US bound plane from Amsterdam

Pearson airport in Toronto
Photo by Sue Frause

Expect the worst this weekend and through the end of the year. Due to a bomb attempt on Dec. 25, 2009 on a flight bound from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan the skies are going to be much less friendly for the remainder of the year -- and beyond. On Sunday, Dec. 27, there was yet another incident aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit. Fortunately, the incident was declared as "non-serious."

I just received a tweet from a friend flying from Los Angeles to New York: "Security at LAX is insane. Hour+ line for 9 gates. Good thing I got here early. I just want to check through and find a sports bar."

And that's not an international flight. Folks flying internationally into the US, including Canada and Mexico, should arrive at the airport several hours in advance of their usual time. Alaska Airlines issued this notice, and many airlines are only allowing one carry-on bag, which must be placed in the overhead bin. Here's the latest news from cbc.ca: Major airport delays in wake of bomb attempt.

Air Canada issued a new Travel Advisory on Dec. 26, 2009.

Continental Airlines commences flights from Edmonton to Houston on Nov. 1, 2009

Continental Airlines will begin offering daily-non-stop service from Edmonton to Houston on Nov. 1, 2009. Air service between the booming oil and gas powerhouses of Edmonton and Houston seems like a natural fit. The Canadian province is also hoping to create new tourism opportunities for Texans in Alberta. Conversely, Houston is a major jumping off spot for many vacation destinations to the southern U.S. and Latin America.

"Houston is consistently one of the top 10 destinations for Edmonton and Northern Alberta travelers," said Ron Gilbertons of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. "Texas is also the number three US travel market to Alberta. This new service now offers an efficient non-stop link to the many travelers visiting our region," said the EEDC President and CEO.

In addition, Continental's new non-stop air service between Edmonton and Houston will be a business advantage to the 3,000 companies in Alberta’s International Region. "Much of our business is contingent upon direct connections to the US, and international destinations," said Pat Klak, Executive Director of the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Authority. "This new link to the oil and gas industry ties strongly to Leduc and the Nisku Business Park, one of the largest oil and gas parks in North America."

The Houston-Edmonton route will be serviced by a Boeing 737-500, 114-seat aircraft (106 coach seats, 8 first class seats). Continental will become a Star Alliance partner on Oct. 27, 2009. Travelers may redeem frequent flyer mileage on affiliated airlines such as Air Canada’s Aeroplan. Also coming in November is non-stop service between Houston and two other cities: Washington, DC and Frankfurt, Germany.

Houston's George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport
Photo by Sue Frause

Canada Line opens ahead of schedule

If you've been in Vancouver's Yaletown the last couple years, it's been a real mess -- as have other areas in the city. Of course, it's all for a good cause, better known as Canada Line. The good news is that the automated rail-based rapid transit service makes its debut this month, and will connect Vancouver with central Richmond and Vancouver International Airport.

At a length of nearly 19 km, it will link residential, business, health care, educational and other centres in the region. The additional transit capacity is the equivalent to 10 major road lanes. Canada Line will connect with existing rapid transit lines at Vancouver's Waterfront Station and major east-west transit services.

Canada Line officially goes on line Monday, Aug. 17 at 1 PM. From 1-9 PM, riders will be able to explore the new transportation line at no charge. Among the revelers welcoming Canada Line's completion (three months ahead of schedule) are the staff at Yaletown's Opus Hotel. Vancouver's first boutique hotel faces on Davie Street and it's officially re-opened!

A room at the Opus Hotel
Photo by Sue Frause

Window on Canada: Aloft Montreal Airport

The w xyz bar at Aloft Montreal Airport
Photo by Sue Frause

Air Canada: Daily service between Vancouver-Paris

Air Canada announced today that it will launch the only daily service between Vancouver and Paris on July 1, 2009. The carrier will operate daily one-stop same plane flights linking YVR with Paris through Sept. 29, 2009. The flights stop in Montreal.

You can read more about it in my Seattle Travel Examiner post.

Bon voyage!

Paris' Latin Quarter early in the morning
Photo by Sue Frause

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport (YVR): You don't have to fly away to stay here

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is at the right. Sue Frause photo.

One of my favorites hotels is The Fairmont Vancouver Airport located in Richmond, BC. It's the only airport hotel to make Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List, and next year celebrates a decade of innkeeping. Although I've stayed there on several occasions coming and going from YVR, I've always thought it would be fun to stay there and ... not go anywhere!

The airport hotel has everything you need for a great getaway: 24-hour room service, fine food at Globe@YVR, the Absolute Spa and a Fairmont Gold floor. It was also the first hotel in the world to introduce satellite check-in kiosks.

It's easy to get there: simply take the escalator from the US Departures Terminal. The 392 rooms are spacious and feature floor-to-ceiling soundproofed windows with views of the airport runways, the water and mountains beyond. For sensitive travelers, hypoallergenic guest rooms have been converted to low-allergen content rooms.

Pack your bag and get going. Or spend a night or two instead.

Fairmont Vancouver Airport is a dream

Although Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is my "home" airport, I often fly out of Vancouver.

It often makes more sense both schedule wise and money wise.

My husband and I flew Cathay Pacific from Vancouver to Beijing via Hong Kong on May 20. By flying out of YVR, we saved around $1,000, and the best part is there's a wonderful place to land both coming and going.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is a fab-o hotel -- I've stayed there several times. And when we return on June 8, we'll be spending the night there before driving home.

Since our flight doesn't arrive until 9:30 PM, that means Canada Customs/Immigration and then waiting for our baggage. That probably puts our departure time from YVR around 10:30 or 11 PM -- too late for the long, dark drive back to Whidbey Island. Especially after being in transit for nearly 24 hours.

It will be the perfect ending to our three week Asian adventure.

Guests of The Fairmont Vancouver Airport can check-in to their flight from the hotel lobby. It's the first airport hotel in the world to offer a self-service 'common-use' airline check-in (CUSS). The airline check-in kiosk is a result of customer demand, designed to make airline check-in more efficient and time effective for departing guests. Currently, Air Canada and affiliates,Westjet and Northwest Airlines, are available on the CUSS kiosk.

Jetside Bar, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport
Photo by Sue Frause

Bumpy flight from Victoria-Toronto results emergency landing

Air Canada at Toronto Pearson Airport. Photo by Sue Frause.

There were some scary moments for passengers on a flight from Victoria to Toronto yesterday. According to the Times Colonist, control problems forced Air Canada Flight 190 to make an emergency landing in Calgary Thursday morning. Ten passengers were taken to the hospital in Calgary.