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YEG destination photo
YYJ destination photo

YEGYYJ

Our Recommendation
9.2

Right Side of the Plane

The right side offers a superior panorama of the rugged Coast Mountains, the city of Vancouver, and the intricate maze of the Gulf Islands during the descent.

Right Side Highlights
9.2
🏔️

Rogers Pass

The dramatic, steep-walled valleys and glaciers of Glacier National Park and the Selkirk Mountains.

🏙️

Metro Vancouver

Breathtaking views of the downtown skyline, Stanley Park, and the Lions Gate Bridge during the approach.

🌲

Howe Sound

Deep glacial fjords and mountainous islands located just north of the Vancouver area.

🏝️

Gulf Islands

A bird's-eye view of Galiano, Salt Spring, and Mayne Islands scattered across the Strait of Georgia.

The right side is unbeatable for the approach into Victoria. As the plane descends over the Strait of Georgia, you get a front-row seat to the Vancouver waterfront and the forested Gulf Islands. For evening flights, this side catches the sunset over the Pacific, though glare can be an issue. Use a polarising filter for photos to cut through the haze over the Salish Sea.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🏔️

Banff National Park

Aerial views of the jagged peaks near Mount Assiniboine and the Sundance Range shortly after departure.

🍷

Okanagan Valley

The long, narrow blue ribbon of Lake Okanagan surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards.

🌋

Mount Baker

On clear days, the massive, snow-covered volcanic peak in Washington State is visible to the south.

🌊

Saanich Peninsula

Lush farmlands and coastal inlets of northern Vancouver Island during the final turn to land.

Sit on the left for the best morning light, as the sun will be behind you. This side is also excellent for spotting the iconic silhouette of Mount Baker during the mid-flight to descent transition. Look for the transition from the golden Alberta prairies to the sharp grey limestone of the Rockies within the first 20 minutes.

Top Activities in Victoria
Route Information

Distance: 861 km (535 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 26 min

Departure: YEG (53.3097000122, -113.580001831)

Arrival: YYJ (48.646900177, -123.426002502)

Route Type: Domestic

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