Vancouver International Airport (CYVR)
Large airport · Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Airport data
| Name | Vancouver International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | CYVR |
| IATA | YVR |
| Elevation | 14 ft (4 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 49°11'38" W 123°11'2" 49.19390, -123.18400 |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08L/26R | 9,940 ft (3030 m) | 200 ft | CON | Yes |
| 08R/26L | 11,500 ft (3505 m) | 200 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 13/31 | 7,300 ft (2225 m) | 200 ft | CON | Yes |
Vancouver International Airport at a glance
Vancouver International Airport is a large airport in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, known to airline systems as YVR. The field elevation of 14 ft (4 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at CYVR are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 3 runways, the longest — 08R/26L — offers 11,500 ft (3505 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 08R points roughly 80° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for CYVR shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Vancouver International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary Bay Airport | CZBB | 19 km (10 NM) |
| Pitt Meadows Regional Airport | CYPK | 35 km (19 NM) |
| Langley Airport | CYNJ | 42 km (23 NM) |
| Nanaimo Airport | CYCD | 52 km (28 NM) |
| Orcas Island Airport | KORS | 58 km (31 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Vancouver International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 14 ft field elevation of Vancouver International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 250 airports and airfields we list for Canada — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Vancouver International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Vancouver International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Vancouver International Airport is CYVR, and its IATA code is YVR. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Vancouver International Airport above sea level?
Vancouver International Airport sits at an elevation of 14 feet (4 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Vancouver International Airport located?
The airport lies at 49.1939, -123.1840 — in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Boundary Bay Airport, about 19 km away.
Does CYVR publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for CYVR appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Vancouver International Airport?
Vancouver International Airport has 3 runways. The longest, 08R/26L, measures 11,500 ft (3505 m) with a ASP surface.