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Experience landing at Ottawa airport

limon01

Full Member
Jan 14, 2016
26
6
My family and I will land at Ottawa airport next week and then we have connection flight to another province. We only have 2.5 hours at Ottawa airport to catch the other flight. Somebody knows if 2.5 hours is enough time for completing the landing formalities at Ottawa airport? Any experience landing at Ottawa airport?

Thanks,
 

CDNPR2014

VIP Member
Mar 1, 2016
3,180
187
Category........
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Ottawa
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2014
it's really going to depend on how long of a wait there is at immigration to do the landing. if there is no wait, then 2.5 hours should be ok. if there is a wait, then it may not be. the landing process itself takes about 15 minutes. it's whether or not there are people in front of you and how long the lines are that will be your issue. no one can tell you for sure about that.

if possible, you may want to consider changing your connecting flight just in case. you can also check to see if it's a flight that's done multiple times a day, so if you do miss the first connection, you can at least get on one at a later time.
 

jc94

Hero Member
Mar 14, 2016
830
163
As CDNPR2014 has stated that should be okay. But depends how busy they are.

Just remember that you'll need to go through customs as well and re-check your luggage.

Land -> Immigration and PR landing -> Customs entry -> Collect luggage -> Customs clearance (hand over the stamped paper to the person waiting) -> Domestic Connections (re-check luggage).

Even if it's the same airline, you have to roll your luggage through customs before the domestic connection. If for any reason it doesn't turn up, make sure you speak to the airline to file it (and give this form to customs) before getting your connecting flight.

If you can, get a seat closer to the front of the plane (well, the door, not always the actual front, normally right behind business and ahead of premium economy of a widebody). Earlier you can get out the better really, beat the rush to customs.

One more tip, just ask them what to put for the visitor/resident part when you get there. My guy was a real piece of work about that, made me write in 1095 days (3 year permit on entry) despite it being a 3 digit box. Since then they consider you a resident... but I'm not sure what you put on a PR landing, but didn't want this to take you by surprise if not used to the customs form.