Vancouver International Airport

Face masks required at more airports in the US & Canada

In trying to keep people safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of government entities around the country now require people to wear non-medical masks or face coverings when out in public.

In many cities, those rules now apply to airports.

Two examples: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

Starting this week, Canada’s Minister of Transport is requiring all air passengers traveling to, through or from Canada to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose.

“Aviation passengers on all flights departing or arriving at Canadian airports will also be required to demonstrate they have the necessary non-medical mask or face covering during the boarding process otherwise they will not be allowed to continue on their journey,” Transport Canada said in a statement.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) jumped right on this rule – and had some fun with it (maybe too much fun?) in a Twitter thread.

Holiday tips from Vancouver Int’l Airport

Vancouver International Airport is having fun with travel tips this holiday season.

First, Scuba Claus stopped by to visit the fish in the airport’s aquarium.

Then Vancouver International Airport (YVR) shared travel tips inspired by the classic holiday movie “Home Alone.”

Here’s part of the thread.

Stress-busting pups at Vancouver Int’l Airport

There’s been a blossoming of programs that bring dogs (and, in some cases pigs and miniature horses) into airport terminals to interact with passengers as an antidote to the the stress of travel.

The animals are cute, passengers’ reactions are heartwarming and even some of the program names – such as Denver International Airports’ CATS program (Canine Airport Therapy Program) are adorable.

Now comes LASI (an homage to the TV dog Lassie) – which in this case stand stands for Less Airport Stress Initiative – at Vancouver International Airport.

The program will brings Ambassador Dogs from the city’s St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program into the terminal to help passengers manage the anxiety associated with traveling, work and general stress.

Seven dogs are part of the LASI team (Molly, Bailey, Mira, Norman, Grover, Kermode and Soda) and they will be onsite Mondays through Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, wearing branded bandanas and accompanied by a dog handler and a YVR Green Coat Volunteer.

 

Outlet mall shopping at Vancouver Int’l Airport

Between the art, the restaurants, the shops, the observation area and the spas, there’s plenty to keep you occupied at Vancouver International Airport.

Now there’s one more great reason: the designer outlet mall.

YVR_McArthurGlen_Vancouver_luxury_piazza.sflb.ashx

Located on land owned by the airport and partially-owned by the airport, the open-air McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport opened earlier this month on Sea Island and is accessible via a free ride on the Canada Line.

Special events celebrating the grand opening continue through August 2nd, with shopping promotions and activities, including live music and several pop-up venues in the Hawkers Mercado.

Vancouver International Airport’s lovely loo

YVR 1

Every year the folks at Cintas – a major restroom supply company – hold a contest to choose the best public washrooms in the United States and Canada.

The list of nominees includes not just spots where cleanliness in crappers is king, but where creativity abounds.

For example, last year’s U.S. winner, the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, MN, has a restroom decorated “with ornate, gilded mirrors, sassy text plates, and bricks laid as if by a drunken mason on bender,” and “invites guests into an Alice In Wonderland-like grotto – to relieve themselves and re-live childhood fairy tales.”

Varsity

The list of potties to pick from is out for this year’s contest, and while no airport made the top ten list in the U.S., Tampa International Airport is still overflowing with pride from making the list last year.

tampa

This year, the finalists in Canada include a loo at Vancouver International Airport.

YVR BATHROOM 2

Here’s how the nomination reads:

“Located in the C-Pier, Domestic Terminal of YVR, travelers find a clean, modern place to freshen up during their journeys. The washroom walls are covered in shades of blue, red, and yellow mosaic tiles and wave-shaped blue flooring winds down the curved corridor leading guests to their choice of bathroom stalls. White tile surrounds the hands-free sinks and towel dispensers, creating a cohesive and modern atmosphere that is sure to leave a lasting impression.”

YVR3

Take a look at the list of nominees for “Best Restroom” in both the United States and Canada and be sure to pick your favorite. Because when you gotta go, you gotta – well, you know – and it may as well be a posh pottie.