Home Vancouver’s Harbour Air Seaplanes

Vancouver’s Harbour Air Seaplanes

Harbour Air Seaplane

Harbour Air is a seaplane airline with a terminal in Coal Harbour by the Vancouver Convention Centre. It offers flights to Victoria and other destinations.

 

Harbour Air Float Planes

Harbour Air first took to the skies in 1982. It is North America’s first carbon neutral air carrier and the world’s largest all-seaplane airline. The airline offers short-haul flights departing from both downtown Vancouver and YVR Airport; Nanaimo, Victoria and Comox, all on Vancouver Island; the Gulf Islands; and Whistler, Sechelt and Pitt Meadows in the Lower Mainland. The carrier predominantly uses de Havilland Beavers, Otters and Twin Otters for its choice of seaplanes.

If you can afford to splash out a little on a flight, why not book one of several aerial tours offered by Harbour Air? These tours include flights over Victoria, Whistler, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island and Sechelt. You can also tour over Vancouver and Richmond for panoramic views and photo ops. See the Harbour Air website for tour details.

Not only is Harbour Air a fast and convenient way to get around, especially between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, but it’s also a spectacular attraction in itself. Fly on a sunny day seated next to a window, and you’ll find the views from the plane to be some of the best in the world.

 

Harbour Air Seaplane at Dock
Harbour Air Seaplane in Coal Harbour

 

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your seaplane-flying experience.

TIP #1: Get to your flight early on a sunny day so you can get a window seat, and don’t forget your camera. Unless you pay an extra $10 or so at check-in, seat selection is on a first-to-board, first-to-pick basis.

TIP #2: Ask at the desk which side of the plane to sit on for the best views and photo opportunities. Views of Victoria are usually best from the right side of the plane when flying from Vancouver to BC’s capital city, and on the left when flying the other way, although that can vary. Views of Vancouver are best seen from the left or right side, depending on where the winds are blowing and the pilot’s probable approach.

TIP #3: Harbour Air offers special discounts periodically. If you plan to fly frequently and don’t mind the e-mails, sign up for the airline’s discount notification e-mails. Wednesdays are when the airline usually posts its sales.

TIP #4: If you’ve never flown on Harbour Air, before ask if the airline offers a “first time” discount. Harbour Air used to offer 50% off and maybe it still does!

TIP #5: Students with valid ID can often fly standby for about half price.

 

Harbour Air Seaplane Docks
Seaplane Terminal in Coal Harbour

 

Other Information

For views of Vancouver from a Harbour Air seaplane, check out our Vancouver Aerial Views.

For more information, see the Harbour Air website.

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