Although it's relatively petite, the Region of Waterloo International Airport is pretty darn handy. The available airlines are few, but there are also many advantages to choosing a smaller airport: close proximity to downtown Kitchener; calm, open space; short lines (if any at all); lots of parking within a stone's throw of the terminal building; zero confusion regarding the location of your "gate" or boarding area. Woohoo!

Airlines & Destinations

Three airlines currently run here: Bearskin, WestJet, and Sunwing, flying to major domestic, U.S., and tropical vacation destinations. NOTE: American Airlines/American Eagle are scheduled to join the airport, commencing daily non-stop flights to Chicago, from June 14, 2012. 

Getting There and Back

By car: The drive is about 20 minutes from the centre of Kitchener. Lots of room for short-term and long-term parking. Expensive for short-term ($1.00 for 15 minutes).

By taxi: Expect to pay about $30 to cover your fare. Plenty of cabs will be waiting for arrivals.

Insider Info, Activity Suggestions

• You can (almost) do the Wayne's World thing and watch jets take off and land here. There's a small u-shaped strip of gravel road/parking across the street from the airport. Park. Wait. Maybe bring Timbits, especially if you are hosting a guest who is American and doesn't know about "doughnut holes", which we call Timbits.
• The café located in the parking lot is also a good spot for viewing the action of incoming/outgoing flights. There are more chairs and food here than in the terminal building. Wait around here until your friends arrive (especially if their flight is delayed). To impress a date: stare wistfully toward the runway and show your erudition by commenting on the twinkle of the many lights along the ground, the setting sun, the promise of faraway lands, etc.
• To achieve a similar romantic/nostalgic/daydreaming feeling at home, have a peek at the Navcam. Also serves more banal purposes, like checking the weather.