Travel
tall, in the International arrivals
terminal. These items were
traditionally positioned on beaches
to welcome guests to special events.
The most dramatic totem,
Celebration of Flight, is in the
Graham Clarke Atrium in departures
Level 3. The work is by artist
Don Yeomans and includes many
mythological symbols. You can
find additional totems outside
the International terminal.
Another great way to spend some
time during your layover is at the
public observation area on Level 4 of
the domestic terminal. You will have
to exit and re-enter security, so it’s
a great way to spend some time on
long layovers. The public observation
area is open to the general public,
so you will often see people there
hanging out watching the planes
come and go. The large space is filled
with floor-to-ceiling windows, 23
feet tall and stretching for almost
140 feet. There are telescopes
available to give you close up views
of the planes. Other features include
touch-screen kiosks detailing the
airport’s history, air traffic control
listening stations, an interactive
model of Sea Island and a video
that gives you a behind the scenes
look at how your luggage travels
throughout YVR.
Rest Your Head
For Fun & Relaxation
The artwork at YVR is one of the
things that has made it a travel
favorite. As you walk through the
airport’s terminals, you will find
yourself surrounded by great
artwork, most of it from Canada.
One of the key features of the
International terminal is the
Aquarium and Creek. The indoor
creek is surrounded by cafes,
shopping, seating and artwork. The
satellite location of the Vancouver
Aquarium is a large, 30,000-gallon
aquarium that showcases indigenous
sea animals. This massive aquarium
is located on Level 3 and includes
thousands of creatures, including
wolf eels, anemones, striped perch,
sea stars, live rock, kelp, corals,
sea urchins and fish. There is a
smaller jellyfish exhibit on Level
4 that includes more than 12
types of jellies.
If you have a long layover, you can
download one of several maps that
showcase the artwork located
throughout the terminals. One of
the self-guided tours, Land, Sea
& Sky, showcases the variety of
artwork at YVR. Another great
self-guided art tour focuses First
Nations Art & Architecture. Both
include details of the artwork (with
photos to ensure you are reading
about the correct work of art) along
with a detailed map to lead you
through the terminals. You can
either download the PDF before
you leave home, or open it on your
tablet so you can follow along at
the airport.
Some of the highlights include the
Flight Spindle Whorl by artist Susan
Point. This is the world’s largest
Coast Salish Spindle Whorl,
measuring more than 16 feet in
diameter and about a foot thick.
The Flight Spindle Whorl greets
passengers as they enter the
Customs Hall in the International
terminal.
Another favorite artwork is the
Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade
Canoe by artist Bill Reid. The
massive piece was installed in the
International terminal in 1996 and
is probably YVR’s most famous item.
It is a bronze casting with a jade
green patina. Haida Gwaii means
“Islands of the People” while the
Jade Canoe represents all living
beings in the world. Just behind The
Jade Canoe is the Great Wave Wall
by artist Lutz Haufschild. The work,
measuring more than 130 feet long
by nearly 33 feet tall, consists of
thousands of glass pieces
representing the ocean.
Throughout the airport, you will find
a variety of totems and Clayoquot
welcome figures. There are several
figures, standing nearly 10 feet
The only hotel at YVR is the
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Airport.
The hotel, located directly above
the USA Departures terminal,
includes 392 luxury rooms, all
sound proofed with floor-to-ceiling
windows so you can sleep in peace,
but enjoy watching the planes at
the airport during you