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 a taste of 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.
This plucky airline is like the friendly neighborhood bus driver of Canada’s territories – Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Looking to escape the hustle and bustle? Well, if you’re in British Columbia, Alberta or Ontario, Air North’s got you covered with more routes than a spider’s web. They’ll whisk you away to the frosty wonderlands of Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Dawson City faster than you can say “aurora borealis”.
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’s 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 every flight, they serve these warm chocolate chip cookies that are worth every calorie. Grab a shot for “the ‘gram,” and your followers will be drooling, trust.
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 give you a hard time if your carry-on baggage is overweight. It only needs to be light enough to store it in 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 Air North’s transfer agreements online to seamlessly transfer your bags.
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.
Fancy a tipple? 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: Flash your pearly whites and ask nicely, and the flight attendant might just slip you an extra one.
If you’re hoping to binge-watch your favorite show or scroll through TikTok at 36,000 feet, you’ll be in for a surprise. At present, there’s no in-flight entertainment onboard (just like most WestJet domestic flights). The aircrafts are also not equipped with 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!
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. The seat pitch is a comfy 32 inches, 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. Most flights have two fare classes. Changes to your booking or flight cancellations are always allowed (with an affordable fee). If you think it’s unlikely you’ll need to change or cancel your flight, opt for the best-value GoYukon fare class. For more wiggle room, the Optimum fare offers the lowest cancellation and change fees, plus complimentary seat selection.
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: book more than 60 days out for the best–discounted rate.
While Air North doesn’t offer a loyalty program, it does provide flight 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 are for jetting between Whitehorse and destinations in BC or Alberta.
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, hotel and activity packages. But the getaways aren’t all northern lights and remote seaplane excursions in northern Canada (though they have those, too!). You can explore the stunning Canadian Rockies, go on wildlife excursions around Vancouver Island, or take in big-city vibes in Toronto and Vancouver.
Air North’s Unaccompanied Minor Service ensures kiddos aged 5-17 jet off safely on nonstop and direct flights. These minors are charged a standard adult fare plus an additional nonrefundable 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 a valid government ID.
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 under 20 pounds and cozy in a soft kennel, they’re cabin-ready. Chunkier chums 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.
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.
Flight # | Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Duration | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
524 | Vancouver (YVR) | Whitehorse (YXY) | 2h 25m | • | • | • | • | |||
563 | Whitehorse (YXY) | Vancouver (YVR) | 2h 15m | • | • | • | • | |||
570 | Kelowna (YLW) | Vancouver (YVR) | 0h 50m | • | • | • | ||||
549 | Vancouver (YVR) | Kelowna (YLW) | 0h 50m | • | • | • | ||||
701 | Edmonton (YEG) | Whitehorse (YXY) | 2h 25m | • | • | |||||
361 | Inuvik (YEV) | Whitehorse (YXY) | 2h 15m | • | ||||||
361 | Old Crow (YOC) | Inuvik (YEV) | 0h 45m | • | ||||||
361 | Whitehorse (YXY) | Old Crow (YOC) | 2h 10m | • | ||||||
701 | Whitehorse (YXY) | Calgary (YYC) | 2h 30m | • | • | |||||
701 | Calgary (YYC) | Edmonton (YEG) | 0h 55m | • | • | |||||
511 | Vancouver (YVR) | Victoria (YYJ) | 0h 30m | • | • | |||||
542 | Victoria (YYJ) | Vancouver (YVR) | 0h 30m | • | • |
IATA Code | 4N |
---|---|
Routes | 34 |
Top route | Vancouver Intl Airport to Whitehorse |
Airports served | 12 |
Top airport | Whitehorse |