Our Review of Montreal Airport (YUL)

Our Review of Montreal Airport (YUL)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Pros and Cons of Montreal Airport (YUL)

Pros

• Modern Infrastructure: YUL has invested in modernizing its facilities, offering a sleek and contemporary environment for travelers.
• Art and Culture: The airport features an art program called Aérogalerie, showcasing Montreal’s vibrant cultural scene through various installations.
• Dining Options: There is a diverse range of dining options available, from local Quebecois cuisine to international flavors.
• Accessibility: The airport is well-connected to downtown Montreal via public transportation, making it convenient for travelers.
• Pre-Clearance for U.S. Flights: Passengers can complete U.S. customs and immigration procedures before boarding, streamlining their journey.

Cons

• Long Security Lines: Travelers often report lengthy wait times at security checkpoints, which can be frustrating.
• Poor Signage: Many passengers find the airport’s signage confusing, leading to missed flights or incorrect gates.
• Unhelpful Staff: Some reviews mention unresponsive or unhelpful airport staff, which can exacerbate travel stress.
• Cleanliness Issues: There are frequent complaints about cleanliness, including dirty waiting areas and facilities.
• Unreliable WiFi: The airport’s WiFi is often reported as slow or unreliable, which can be inconvenient for travelers needing to stay connected.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Overview

• Location: Located in Dorval, Quebec, about 24 km west of downtown Montreal.
• Terminal: Single, two-storey terminal handling international, domestic, and transborder flights.

Key Facilities

• Dining: Offers a variety of local and international cuisine options.
• Shopping: Features duty-free shopping for international travelers.
• WiFi: Free, but often reported as unreliable.
• Art Program: Aérogalerie showcases Montreal’s cultural heritage.

Transportation

• Public Transit: Bus 747 connects the airport to downtown Montreal.
• Taxis: Available outside the terminal.
• Car Rentals: Several companies offer services at the airport.

Security and Immigration

• Pre-Clearance for U.S. Flights: Available for passengers heading to the U.S.
• Security Lines: Often long; plan to arrive early.

Tips

• Arrival Time: Reach the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.
• Signage: Be prepared for potentially confusing signs; ask for help if needed.
• Staff Assistance: Some staff may be unhelpful; remain patient and seek assistance from other sources if necessary.

Other reviews

Skytrax Reviews

• Many passengers report negative experiences at YUL, citing issues such as confusing signage, unhelpful staff, and long security queues. For example, one traveler described being misdirected by airport staff, leading to missed connections and frustration with the airport’s inability to handle high passenger volumes effectively
• Cleanliness and maintenance are recurring complaints, with reviews mentioning dirty waiting areas, broken escalators, and non-functional USB ports
• WiFi connectivity is often criticized for being unreliable or extremely slow, which inconveniences travelers needing internet access during transit
• Security procedures are frequently described as chaotic and inefficient, with reports of overwhelmed staff and inconsistent protocols

Google Reviews

• Similar concerns are echoed on Google reviews, including poor customer service and inadequate facilities. Travelers often highlight long waiting times at security and immigration as a major drawback.
• Positive feedback is rare but includes mentions of improved infrastructure following modernization efforts

Final Rating: 2/5

Justification

Despite YUL’s 4-star Skytrax certification earned through modernization initiatives like upgraded furniture and enhanced passenger services, recent reviews suggest persistent operational issues. Recurring complaints about cleanliness, staff behavior, and poor signage overshadow the airport’s efforts to improve the passenger experience. While infrastructure upgrades are commendable, the lack of consistent service quality undermines its reputation among travelers.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

• On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
• Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
• Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
• Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
• Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation

Some Stats

Airlines with more flight operations (last 3 months)

Airlines with best on-time performance at Montreal Airport (last 3 months)

Routes with more flights from Montreal Airport (last month)