A film adventure like no other, FlyOver Canada is an amazing multi-dimensional theatre flying experience at Canada Place in downtown Vancouver.
In addition to the film about Canada that plays throughout the year, Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies shows from April 27th to June 25th.
For tickets and full details about the theatre, see the FlyOver Canada website.
FlyOver Canada at Canada Place
FlyOver Canada is an exciting attraction located on the west promenade deck of Canada Place. Its physical address is 999 Canada Place in downtown Vancouver.
The entire FlyOver Canada experience takes about 25 minutes. It includes a short introductory film – the FlyOver Canada show – plus sometimes one other feature flying movie presentation.
Looking for an out-of-the-ordinary flying theatre experience? You’ll find it at FlyOver Canada.
See below for general information about FlyOver Canada. Or click FlyOver Canada at Halloween for information about the attraction in October, or FlyOver Canada at Christmas for details about the attraction during the winter holidays.
The FlyOver Experience
The full FlyOver Canada experience lasts for about half an hour and includes a short pre-show film. After seeing the first short show guests walk to the next stage, where they sit down and buckle up in a row, ready for the main film or films to begin.
In addition to the regular multi-dimensional film experience about Canada, the attraction sometimes features additional shows too. At certain times of the year there might be a special presentation about China, Taiwan, the United States, Hawaii, Iceland or some other interesting land, or a special seasonal feature (like something with a Christmas or Halloween theme).
One of the newer films in the series of FlyOver films is The Real Wild West which showed between November 1st and December 5th in 2021. In 2022, the film showed between April 21st and June 26th. From June 30th to September 25th the newest film was Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies.
For tickets and full details about the theatre, see the FlyOver Canada website.
What to Expect
During the main show, when the lights go off, the floor moves away and participants are left hanging over the theatre screen. It feels like being in a giant open-windowed silent helicopter. It’s quite exciting.
As the show takes spectators over different scenes, the row of seats moves with the film. The wind, mist and smells of the country follow the passengers too.
The FlyOver Canada film itself lasts for about 8 minutes and covers Canada from the Arctic, to the Maritimes in the Atlantic, to Vancouver and the Pacific. The flight takes passengers through the spray at Niagara Falls, soaring over the Rocky Mountains, and even over Canada Place in downtown Vancouver.
FlyOver Canada offers one of Vancouver’s most unique and exciting experiences. We definitely recommend it!
Admission at FlyOver Canada
The cost of admission to FlyOver Canada varies depending on a number of factors including your age and both when and how you buy your tickets.
Admission rates for adults paying online as of February 2023 vary by about $5 or so. Buy tickets at the gate and it might cost up to $37. Book tickets for a weekday further in the future and it might cost just $28. Children ages 15 and under cost about $10 less than adults. Buy your tickets at the gate and prices will be slightly more.
As of May 2023, average prices for tickets purchased online are listed below. Depending on the date, days expected to be busy may cost a couple of dollars more and days expected to be quieter may cost $2 or $3 less.
- Adults: $28 to $32 online when bought in advance
- Children (up to age 15): $18 to $22 online
Important Note: Because of seatbelt and ride-safety requirements, visitors to FlyOver Canada must be at least 40 inches (or 102 cm) tall. If you or your child is shorter than that, don’t purchase a ticket for them online.
For tickets and full details about the theatre, see the FlyOver Canada website.
Hours of Operation
FlyOver Canada is open from 10 am until 8 pm on weekends. On weekdays the attraction opens two hours later. Shows run about once every 15 to 20 minutes.
Who is FlyOver Canada for?
FlyOver Canada is a perfect attraction for anyone over 102 cm or 40 inches tall who isn’t pregnant, not afraid of heights, not subject to motion sickness and looking for half an hour of exciting and memorable entertainment. It’s a fun experience for almost everyone and highly recommended!
The oldest participant on the ride to date has been 104 years old! When we went for the first time we took two children, ages 10 and 12. What were their comments? “That was awesome! That was way better than a regular movie!” In short, they loved it and couldn’t wait to do it again. We’ve been back many times since!
Seasonal Events at FlyOver Canada
FlyOver Canada offers a number of seasonal “extras” at various times of the year.
In some cases it’s just a little touch, like at Easter when guests are greeted by the Easter Bunny with a chocolate egg at the end of the show (which happens some years).
At other times, like at Halloween and Christmas, the FlyOver Canada venue gets decorated. The pre-show also has a distinct holiday season-theme, and characters like a witch and Santa Claus make cameo appearances in the main film.
For details about the attraction’s main holiday-themed seasons, click FlyOver Canada at Halloween or FlyOver Canada at Christmas.
For tickets and full details about the theatre, see the FlyOver Canada website.
Special Shows at FlyOver Canada
In addition to the regular FlyOver Canada film, from time to time the venue features a second and different film.
Leading up to Chinese New Year in January or February, for example, Flight of the Dragon is a film about China and Soar Over Taiwan is a film about Taiwan. One or the other film shows at FlyOver Canada in celebration of the Lunar New Year.
Later in the year there is usually FlyOver America, which is just like the FlyOver Canada multi-dimensional film but with American places of interest and scenery.
FlyOver America usually shows as a separate film at separate times for an additional price (although you can get a discount if you want to see both shows). Most years the film about the United States is shown in the early spring and then again in late fall.
New for 2020 was the film FlyOver Iceland. New for 2021 was Hawaii From Above and The Real Wild West, the latter of which premiered in November with sights of cities, prairies and more of what the American west coast has to offer. In 2022 another new film showed from June until September. Windborne: Call of the Canadian Rockies offers stunning views of Jasper, Banff and Yoho national parks.
For tickets and full details about the theatre, see the FlyOver Canada website.
China and Taiwan Videos
Flight of the Dragon is often FlyOver Canada’s special seasonal presentation around Chinese New Year each year. In 2020, instead of the Flight of the Dragon, FlyOver Canada had a new film – Soar Over Taiwan, which was similar but featured scenes from Taiwan instead of from Mainland China.
To get an idea of what the experience is like check out the following video about Flight of the Dragon. It will no doubt be back in town again in the future.
Soar Over Taiwan showed in Vancouver between January 6th and February 12th in 2022.
Tips and Advice
Below are some tips to help you make the most out of your experience at FlyOver Canada.
TIP #1: Buy your tickets online in advance and save over 10% per ticket.
TIP #2: Often FlyOver Canada offers convention delegates a discount. If you are attending a conference at Canada Place or the Convention Centre, show your current conference name badge just in case.
TIP #3: FlyOver Canada is highly recommended, and especially for visitors from out-of-country. Nowhere else can you see the entire country in such splendor in less than 30 minutes! Got friends or family visiting from abroad, then you’ve got to take them!
TIP #4: If you’ve been to FlyOver Canada before and want to go again, check out one of its special seasonal shows. We’ve seen Flight of the Dragon (about China), Soar Over Taiwan, FlyOver Iceland, FlyOver America, and both the Halloween and Christmas-themed shows. And we’ve loved them all! They are exciting, educational and entertaining.
TIP #5: Starting in the summer of 2021, Pursuit, the company that operates FlyOver Canada, has a new attraction in British Columbia’s interior. Located in Golden, BC, Golden Skybridge is the highest suspension bridge in all of Canada! The next time you’re on your way to Banff or Yoho National Park, be sure to check it out!
Other Information
For more information, details of current features and to buy tickets check out the FlyOver Canada website.
To learn more about the attraction’s special seasonal events, click FlyOver Canada at Halloween or FlyOver Canada at Christmas.
For ideas on other tourist attractions to check out, see Metro Vancouver’s Top 100 Places.
FlyOver Canada has sister theatres in other cities elsewhere in the world. There are locations in both Las Vegas and Iceland. Starting in 2024 there will be a FlyOver Canada Toronto too!
