A low-key, low-stress vibe is what you can expect on Air North, lovingly referred to as “Yukon’s airline.” This regional Canadian airline provides vital air service to remote northern communities. But they’re not just connecting dots on a map, they’re bringing good old Yukon hospitality to the skies.
This little Canadian gem is stealing hearts with its warm, personal touch – a refreshing breeze in the often chilly world of air travel. Take it from me, if you’re plotting a course to Northern Canada, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable way to get there. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering Air North to visit the Great White North.
Why fly Air North
Air North serves the Yukon and Northwest Territories with flights from British Columbia, Alberta, and seasonally from Ontario. You’ll find routes to major northern hubs like Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Dawson City, plus those tucked-away communities that even your GPS might struggle to find. This plucky airline is your reliable partner for reaching remote northern destinations.
But here’s the kicker, Air North services more than just the bigger cities. They’re all about spreading their wings to those tucked-away spots that even your GPS might struggle to find. So whether you’re headed to a major northern hub or a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it community, Air North is ready to be your reliable partner in the skies.
Flight attendants aren’t just there to point at the emergency exits. They’re attentive and go out of their way to ensure everyone’s comfort. And then there’s my favourite part. On most flights, they serve these warm chocolate chip cookies that are worth every calorie.
Air North fares and seating class
There is but one seat class on every Air North plane, which is lovingly referred to as Yukoner economy. But don’t worry, you won’t need to fold yourself into origami to fit. On their Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the seat pitch is a comfy 81 centimetres, on par with the big boys like Air Canada and WestJet.
Don’t get too excited if you spot the “business travel” section on their website. This refers to air passes, not a separate VIP section of the aircraft. Likewise, there’s no advanced boarding shenanigans. Whenever I fly Air North, I’m shocked at how pleasant boarding is. What I mean is, you probably won’t get hip-checked by someone worried their roller bag won’t fit in the overhead bin unless they get on first.
Air North keeps fares simple with two options on most flights. The GoYukon fare offers the best value if you’re unlikely to change plans, while the Optimum fare includes the lowest cancellation and change fees plus complimentary seat selection. Both allow changes and cancellations for an affordable fee, giving you flexibility either way.
To score a seat sale, your best bet is to sign up for their email newsletter, eNugget. If you’re playing hopscotch between cities, check out their affordable connector fares. Pro tip: for connector fares, book more than 60 days out for the best-discounted rate.
Baggage size and weight
One of the most obvious reasons Air North has amassed a loyal fan base is thanks to its generous luggage allowance. We’re talking about two items of checked luggage and two items for carry–on, all on the house. Even better, they won’t hassle you about carry-on weight as long as you can lift it into the overhead bin yourself.
The airline is also pretty liberal when it comes to checked baggage. Golf clubs, fishing rods and unloaded firearms all count as checked luggage, without additional fees. Same with canoes and kayaks. (Yes, you read that correctly!) Just store them in a rigid container and pre-register the vessels when you book. If you’re connecting to another airline, you’ll want to check out the Air North transfer agreements online to seamlessly transfer your bags.
Inflight experience
Air North really shines during the flight. Instead of the usual sad sandwich (most airlines charge for), passengers are treated to complimentary snacks and light meals. They’re not pulling these out of a time capsule from the 1950s, either. Everything is prepared fresh daily in a Whitehorse–based kitchen. If, like me, you have dietary quirks, give them heads–up 24 hours in advance, and they’ll whip up vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals.
Want a drink? They’ve got local brews from Yukon Brewing on tap (for purchase). If you’re more of a caffeine fiend, Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters has got your back. But again, what you really want is one of those legendary, warm-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. Pro tip: Smile and ask nicely, and the flight attendant might just slip you an extra one.
If you’re hoping to binge-watch your favourite show or scroll through TikTok at 11,000 metres, you’ll be in for a surprise. At present, there’s no in-flight entertainment onboard (just like most WestJet domestic flights). The aircraft also don’t have Wi-Fi. But hey, who needs Netflix when you’ve got stunning northern vistas and warm cookies? Think of it like a digital detox with a side of chocolate chips!
Business traveller program
While Air North doesn’t offer a traditional points-based loyalty program, it does provide Air Passes that are available for purchase. It’s like buying a bulk pack of flights at Costco, but cooler. You can snag either a 10-pack or go big with a 30-pack of flight segments. And here’s the kicker, it’s not a one-person show. The 10-segment pass lets you add up to five names, while the 30-segment pass is like a flying carpool with room for 15 names.
The passes will net you complimentary seat selection, and there’s no need to worry about those annoying blackout dates, either. Keep in mind these passes cover various routes including Whitehorse connections to destinations in BC and Alberta, as well as Northwest Territories options.
Air North getaways
Just like major airlines offer vacation packages to sun and European destinations, so too does Air North (albeit with a side of maple syrup). Essentially, they’ve taken the best bits of Canada, shaken them up in a snow globe, and sprinkled them into their getaway packages.
Tapping an extensive network of partners in northern Canada, Air North Getaways offers a combo of flight, accommodation and unique experience packages. But the getaways aren’t all northern lights and remote seaplane excursions in northern Canada (though they have those, too!). You can take in big-city vibes in destinations like Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria.
Traveling with pets
Some airlines limit the number of pets in the cabin, but Air North welcomes four-legged friends with open paws. Each passenger can bring one pet. If your furry companion is a pup, cat, or bunny that’s cozy in a soft-shell kennel that fits under the seat, they’re cabin-ready. Larger pets fly cargo. Service dogs fly for free but must be approved in advance. Simply reserve your pet’s ticket early and arrive with time to spare.
Unaccompanied minors
Air North’s Unaccompanied Minor Service ensures kiddos aged 5-17 jet off safely (note that Air North does not take responsibility for connecting unaccompanied minors). These minors are charged a standard adult fare plus an additional non-refundable fee. Contact the airline’s reservations team in advance to make the booking. Some required forms must be filled out, so arrive 90 minutes before their flight. Keep in mind that the guardian picking up the child will need to show identification matching the designated pickup information.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
