Kelowna Airport (YLW) Flights & Flight Status

British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley is famed for its wineries, warm lakes, and abundant outdoor activities. Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is your gateway to Canada’s Napa of the North. Once you step off your plane, you’ll be halfway to vacation mode. The scent of pine mingles with the promise of world-class wines, and with lakes so close, you can almost hear them calling your name. YLW is going through an ambitious growth spurt and is one of the fastest-growing airports in Canada. Increased routes and services are continually on their way.

Why fly out of YLW

Something many first-time air travelers to the region don’t realize is just how spectacular the scenic approaches to YLW are. Whatever airline I’m flying in or out of Kelowna on, I’m always happy with my decision to pony up for a window seat. And because the Okanagan’s climate and weather are pretty reliable and mild compared to the rest of Canada, there are fewer weather-related delays compared to other Canadian airports.

Airlines servicing YLW

Canada’s most popular airlines, from WestJet to Air Canada to Flair, service YLW. Alaska Airlines and regional carriers such as Air North, Pacific Coastal, and Central Mountain Air can also get you where you want to go. Most of these airlines offer self-service kiosks, so you can quickly check in on your own. For our friends who need extra assistance, YLW’s got your back with priority self-service check-in desks.

YLW offers flights to major Canadian cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. It also connects the Okanagan with smaller communities such as Comox and Nanaimo. Feeling international? Seattle’s just a skip away, while seasonal jaunts to U.S. hotspots like Las Vegas and Phoenix await. For those craving sandy toes and salty margaritas, YLW’s offers direct flights to Mexican destinations Cancun, Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

How to get to and from the Kelowna Airport

Situated in the heart of the stunning Okanagan Valley, the airport services both Kelowna, a 20 minute drive away and also the Northern Okanagan community of Vernon, situated 40 minutes away. Plenty of taxi companies and ride share services like Uber and Uride make transportation to the airport a breeze. During winter’s ski season, shuttles are offered direct to ski resorts like Big White, Silver Star and Revelstoke.

Kelowna Regional Transit offers public bus service to the airport, but it’s not a direct service to downtown Kelowna. A faster option would be to take eBus, which provides coach service directly outside the airport terminal to downtown Kelowna, Vernon, and Kamloops. Advance bookings are required.

Car rentals at YLW

Most visitors to the Okanagan Valley, like me, opt for a rental car. Only four rental car companies operate out of the airport (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise and Budget), so you’ll want to reserve your vehicle in advance. At nearby Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport, you can also score a rental through ACE Rent-A-Car. Fuel up at the ESSO gas station located at YLW Airport Plaza before returning your vehicle.

Parking

Parking is a breeze at the Kelowna Airport—probably because so many visitors are using taxis, Ubers, and rental cars. Well-lit and patrolled by security, I’ve always felt secure parking here, as a female often traveling solo. Those with mobility issues will find accessible drop-off locations in front of the terminal building.

If you’re synchronized for a quick drop off or pick up, go for the curbside option, where you’re allowed to stay up to 30 minutes with a flat rate. No need to circle the terminal again and again while waiting to pick up your passenger. The free cell phone waiting lot is beside the Canco gas station in Airport Plaza. It’s also where you’ll find electric vehicle charging stations.

The short-term lot is directly in front of the airport and is less than a two-minute walk into the terminal. If you need longer-term parking, there are two lots. Lot A is closer and just beside the terminal building. Lot B is across the street from the airport but is still only a five-minute walk away.

If you’re really in a rush or just want to feel like a VIP, take advantage of their valet parking service. You can strut through the airport like an A-lister while someone else deals with the car for just a few extra bucks on top of your long-term parking fee.

Security at YLW

While the airport is getting busier, security lines typically aren’t an issue except during the busy weekend and summer travel periods. On more than one occasion, however, super keen (or likely bored) security agents have torn through my carry-on bags with a fine-toothed comb. Flight attendant friends have complained that they, too, find the security at YLW to be overly zealous compared to other Canadian airports.

YLW might be international, but it’s keeping things egalitarian in the security line. There are no fancy Global Entry or NEXUS fast passes here—everyone’s in this together, from first-time flyers to seasoned road warriors. So, whether you’re a big cheese or just fond of cheese (please don’t pack runny cheese in your carry-on!), realize you’ll be mingling in the security line.

Fortunately, this airport does a great job of communicating passenger volume and daily peak travel times for departures. Swing by the airport’s website and check out their Travel Tips and Departures sections. It’s like having a crystal ball for security wait times. Armed with this insider info, you can time your arrival like a pro.

Wine touring around Kelowna

Surrounded by Okanagan wineries, Kelowna Airport is a gateway to wine country. Hop in a rideshare, and within 5 minutes, you could be sipping at Ancient Hill Winery or Upside Cidery. A short 15-minute drive north lands you at my favourite, Gray Monk Estate. The best news? Vivid and Wicked Wine Tours are nearby and will happily pick you up for a multiple vineyard adventure straight from the airport.

Airport dining and entertainment

While it may not boast the sprawling amenities of larger hubs, this gateway to the Okanagan Valley offers just enough to keep travelers satisfied. Foodies can nosh on Canadian classics at White Spot, available on both sides of security. For a quick caffeine fix or a comforting soup-and-sandwich combo, Tim Hortons and Subway are good options. The downside? There’s no airline lounge, but these tried-and-true favorites are at your fingertips.

If you’re traveling with wee ones, Kelowna Airport has a delightful surprise in store. The Family Adventure Zone is a whimsical oasis where kids can climb, slide, and let their imaginations soar in a tree-fort-inspired play structure. And for budding bookworms, a cozy reading nook stocked with local library books offers a quiet retreat. It’s the perfect spot to wind down before your flight or to keep kiddos entertained during a layover.

Anxious flyers

Nine therapy dogs work as Ambassadogs at YLW. Led by Airport Ambassadors wearing a red jacket, nervous fliers are encouraged to say hello and interact with these supportive pooches. Maybe it’s because of the airport’s compact size, but in my experience, your chances of getting a cuddle are high.

Shopping at the airport

For those jetting off to international destinations, a duty-free shop opens its doors 90 minutes before takeoff. But the real gem awaits past security at Okanagan Gifts, where you can stock up on travel essentials like snacks and magazines, plus pick up unique gifts and souvenirs that capture the essence of your Canadian adventure.

The Okanagan Estate Wine Cellar, tucked away by departure gates, is a guilty pleasure of mine. With its sun-kissed slopes and diverse terroir, the Okanagan Valley has earned its stripes as one of Canada’s premier wine regions. Here’s your chance to extend your culinary journey long after your plane touches down. Many wines are small-batch productions rarely found outside the valley. If you find pinot noir from 50th Parallel, snag it.

Airport hotel

Conveniently located just minutes from the terminal, Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport is so close you could walk there in under 15 minutes. But with luggage, why not hop on their complimentary shuttle bus? This pet-friendly hotel boasts an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center, offering the perfect spot to unwind after your flight.