Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) is one of Canada’s busiest airports. Still, it is a relatively small one with a recently built terminal that opened in 2011. YWG is an important transportation hub within the province of Manitoba.
The airport is located 8 km west of downtown Winnipeg. It takes around 15-20 minutes to drive between YWG and the city center via Wellington Avenue.
Winnipeg Airport handles around 4-5 million passengers yearly, offering flights to major cities in Canada and the USA, as well as seasonal holiday destinations, mainly in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Major Airlines - WestJet, Air Canada
WestJet is by far the airline with the most flights and routes at Winnipeg Airport. Its route map includes over 25 destinations served by more than 500 monthly flights. YWG is also a focus city for the airline. The airline is launching a once-weekly nonstop service to Reykjavik, Iceland, in June 2026, marking the first-ever transatlantic flight from Manitoba.
Air Canada, as the flag carrier of the country, links Winnipeg to the largest cities in Canada, notably Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver. It also offers seasonal flights to popular seaside destinations like Cancún and Punta Cana.
Several regional airlines use Winnipeg Airport as a hub. These include Bearskin Airlines, Calm Air, and Perimeter Aviation. They offer flights to smaller towns and remote destinations in Manitoba and Nunavut.
Other Canadian airlines that fly to and from YWG include Porter Airlines and the low-cost carrier Flair Airlines, both focused on domestic routes.
The only two foreign airlines at YWG are Delta Connection, which flies to Minneapolis/St. Paul and United Express, which flies to Chicago–O'Hare and Denver.
Click here to see the live departure board at Winnipeg Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Winnipeg Airport has two terminals.
The main one is a modern building with a low and expansive form. It is spread on three levels:
Level 1: Handles Arrivals, including baggage claim, customs (CBSA), and transportation options.
Level 2: Handles Departures, including check-in counters, security screening, all 25 gates, restaurants, shops, and lounges.
Mezzanine: Includes additional seating and an observation area.
The main terminal is relatively small, with the walking time from security to the furthest gate being under 10 minutes.
The area after the Security check (airside) is divided into two piers:
Domestic and international pier: For all flights within Canada and destinations that are NOT in the US.
Transborder pier: For all US-bound flights. There is an additional screening checkpoint by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection accessed via a bridge between Door 1 and Door 2 on Departures Level 2. This allows you to arrive in the USA as if on a domestic flight.
There is also a second, smaller terminal, which is used exclusively by Perimeter Aviation for its flights to remote northern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario communities. It’s located about 2.5 km south of the main terminal building, and there is no shuttle between the two, so you need to plan accordingly if you need to transfer between terminals.
Winnipeg Airport is not a common connection hub. If you find yourself between flights there, it’s relatively easy to navigate:
Domestic connections are straightforward. Check with your airline to confirm your luggage will be transferred by them (in most cases, it is).
U.S. transborder connections will require that you go through U.S. Pre-clearance if bound for the US or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) screening in the Customs Hall, if proceeding on a domestic flight.
International connections require that you go through Security once, but you will be allowed to remain airside until your next flight. In most cases, your luggage will be transferred automatically.
Winnipeg Airport is open 24 hours. CBSA also operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, the main Security checkpoint opens around 3 AM for the first flights and closes after the last flight of the day, meaning you cannot stay airside overnight.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Winnipeg Airport provides free WI-FI throughout the terminal under the “Free Airport Wi-Fi” network. No password is required.
Other passenger services at YWG include:
ATMs: Several on Level 1 and Level 2.
Currency exchange: Provided by ICE on Level 1 before Security. Open from 5 AM to 7 PM.
Information: The Information Booth is located near Door 2 of Arrivals. It also functions as the Lost and Found office. Open 24 hours.
Pet Relief Area: outside Door 3 on the Arrivals Level.
Smoking Area: While the entire terminal is a non-smoking area, there are designated smoking areas on both ends of the terminal building on the Arrivals and Departures Levels.
Chapel: On the Departures Level, after Security.
BioAro: A genome sequencing company offering an array of biological services that welcomes walk-ins. Located on Level 1, before Security.
Lounges at YWG
Winnipeg has just 2 lounges - one by an airline and one independent. Both are located in the Domestic and International part of the terminal. There is no lounge in the US preclearance area, and neither of the two lounges accepts passengers on US flights.
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is located opposite Gate 9 on Level 2. To reach it, turn left just after the security check. This lounge offers a business centre with computer desks, complimentary Wi-Fi, a cold buffet with fresh food and fruit, and several hot options, including soups. There is also a self-serve bar with wines, spirits, and draft beer.
The lounge is open from 4 AM to 6:15 PM every day (closes at 7:30 PM on Mondays). Access is complimentary for several types of passengers of Air Canada and partnering airlines.
The Plaza Premium Lounge is located opposite Gate 6 on Level 2. Its strong point is the diverse hot food buffet with different cuisines and the bar stocked with various beer brands and wines.
The lounge is open from 3 AM to 9 PM. It accepts most lounge membership passes, elite cardholders, and offers a single 2-hour pass for walk-ins priced at 65.70 CAD.
Dining Options at Winnipeg Airport
There is a good amount of choice when it comes to places to eat at Winnipeg Airport. Most cafés, bars, and casual restaurants are located after the main security checkpoint, airside.
Before Security, you can buy a pizza from Pizza Pizza on Level 1 or drinks and pub fare at either Root 98 (Level 1) or Stella’s (Level 2). Tim Hortons also has a 24/7 restaurant landside - one of the few options available overnight.
In the domestic and international area of the terminal, most outlets are concentrated within the Queen's Food Court, just after the security check. The most notable places to eat and drink are:
Little Brown Jug: A taproom with local flavors. Open from 4 AM to 8 PM.
Prairie Bistro: Offers various options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open from 4 AM to 8 PM.
Starbucks: An iconic coffeehouse open from 4 AM to 8 PM.
True Burger: A modern burger joint serving classic burgers and crispy French fries. Open from 4 AM to 10 PM.
Inside the US preclearance area, there are only two options:
Urban Crave: serves authentic street cuisine, comfort food, and drinks.
Tim Hortons: A popular Canadian fast food chain.
Transport to and from the airport
Winnipeg Airport is very close to the city - just 9 km from the downtown core. Thus, most travelers opt to drive, which takes around 15-20 minutes in normal traffic.
Winnipeg Transit public buses serve the airport between 5:11 AM and 00:40 AM. Buses stop close to Door 3 on the Arrivals Level 1. Routes include D12 Ellice, D13 Sargent, and 224 Sherwin - Valour. For precise routes, check the Winnipeg Transit website. Tickets cost 3.45 CAD if bought in cash.
The official taxi company at YWG is Unicity Taxi. The taxi rank is on Level 1 of Arrivals, near Door 3. Fares are regulated - 3.95 CAD starting price plus 1.9 CAD per kilometer, plus 0.57 CAD per minute. There is a 1.25 CAD surcharge for rides originating at the airport. In total, fares to the city center are around 25-30 CAD.
Two ridesharing companies are licensed to operate at Winnipeg Airport: Uber and ReRyde. The pick-up spot is outside Door 1 on Level 1 of Arrivals.
It may be worth checking with your hotel if it offers a complimentary shuttle for staying guests. Some of the city’s most prominent hotels, including Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites, Lakeview Signature, Trademark Collection, and others, offer it.
Car rental companies have desks on the ground level of the parkade, directly across from the terminal. These include Avis/Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National/Alamo.
Parking at YWG
There are two main options for parking at Winnipeg Airport:
Parkade: A covered garage connected to the terminal via a short indoor walkway, which takes just 3 minutes to reach. Drive-up rates start at 3 CAD per 30 minutes, 32 CAD per day, or 135 CAD per week.
Economy parking: A lower-cost, uncovered parking option located behind the Parkade, taking around 7 minutes to reach the terminal. Drive-up rates start at 3 CAD per 30 minutes, 26 CAD per day, or 115 CAD per week.
Valet & Away: The premium option, where you can leave your car curbside in front of the terminal on the Arrivals Level by Door 3. This convenience comes at a greater cost - 45 CAD per day or 179 CAD per week.
Online rates are generally cheaper and offer variable discounts.
For online reservations, you can scan your barcode at the entrance and exit gates. For drive-ups, you need to take a ticket upon entry, then pay at any paystation in the parkade or at the exit gate. Credit cards accepted.
Hotels near Winnipeg Airport
There are 3 hotels within the Airport grounds:
The Lakeview Signature: A 3-star hotel about 300 meters from the terminal.
The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel: A 4-star hotel directly connected to the terminal via an indoor walkway.
Courtyard by Marriott Winnipeg Airport: A 4-star hotel about a 6-minute walk from the terminal.
There are several other hotels outside the airport, in the St. James Industrial and near Wellington Avenue. You can check the Info Booth near Door 2 on the Arrivals level for hotel information.
You can also click here to discover more hotels near Winnipeg Airport.
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
