F.A.Q.

Airport Services
Airwatch
Bank Machine
Delayed Luggage
Employment
Filming and Photo Activities
Flight
Lost and Found
Parking
Pets

Flight

Q: How much time before my flight should I arrive at the airport?
A: Passengers are recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before boarding a domestic or transborder flight and 3 hours before boarding an international flight. Regardless of the departure time, airline personnel and security screening agents will be on hand to assist passengers at least two hours before all flight departures.

Q: At what time does the airport open in the morning?
A: The Ottawa International Airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For an early morning flight, airline and security screening personnel will be on-hand to assist passengers at least two hours before the departure time.

Q: What am I not allowed to bring in my carry-on?
A: For a list of prohibited items, please visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s website at www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca

Q: As I have a physical disability, who do I call if I need assistance to make my way through the terminal onto and off the plane and/or to help me with my luggage?
A: Should you require assistance when travelling, please contact your airline prior to arriving to the airport. They will ensure that someone is available to help you and/or that a wheelchair is available for you.

Q: Is there a place to eat beyond security?
A: A variety of restaurants are located beyond the security screening checkpoint. Passengers can chose from Byward Taps, Sbarros, Second Cup, and Tim Horton’s, in the domestic holdroom, and Senate Chambers and Grab & Go in the U.S. holdroom.

Q: Is there a smoking lounge in the airport?
A: In accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which prohibits smoking in all enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places across Ontario, the Ottawa International Airport Authority closed its smoking rooms located in the domestic and transborder holdrooms on June 30, 2006.

Q: What size and amount of carry-on luggage is permitted?
A: Each airline has different size and volume requirements for their carry-on luggage. It is best to contact your airline directly for this information prior to leaving on your flight.

As well, each airline has a metal stand for measuring carry-on luggage located in front of their check-in counters which will determine whether or not baggage will be accepted as carry-on.

Q: When I check-in my luggage, should it be locked?
A: Passengers can always lock their luggage however they need to be aware that their lock may be broken. When travelling domestically, it is unlikely that a lock would be tampered with. However, if travelling to or through the United States and/or abroad, authorities may search luggage, at which point, the lock will be broken to perform the search.

Employment

Q: How do I go about in getting a job at the airport?
A: Each organization operating out of the airport is responsible for their own hiring. As such, we suggest you visit their website or contact each agency directly to discuss employment opportunities. For more information, please visit the Employment Opportunities section of our website.

Airport Services

Q: Is there a storage facility at the airport?
A: The luggage storage facility is located on level 1 of the passenger terminal building. For a small fee, luggage may be kept securely for you. For additional information about this service, please call 613-523-8880 or visit their web site.

Q: Where are the car rental companies located?
A: Most of the car rental agencies (Alamo National, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz) are conveniently located in the airport parkade, across the street from the passenger terminal building. If you are renting from Thrifty, a representative will meet you at the Ground Transportation desk of the passenger terminal building on level 1.

Lost and Found

Q: Where is your Lost and Found?
A: Located on level 1 of the passenger terminal building, the Lost and Found office may be able to return to you items left in the terminal. It may be reached at 613-248-2054.

Bank Machine

Q: Is there a bank machine at the airport?
A: Several automated bank machines are at your disposal on each level of the passenger terminal building, in both the public areas and beyond security.

Delayed Luggage

Q: Who do I contact to retrieve my delayed luggage?
A: As airlines are responsible for their own passenger’s delayed luggage, please contact them directly. They will be able to trace back your luggage and make arrangements to return it to you.

Parking

Q: Where should I park?
A: A variety of options are available to travellers and the general public wishing to use our parking facility.

Q: Do you have a shuttle from your Long Term parking lot?
A: As the Long Term Parking is situated adjacent to the new passenger terminal building, the need for a shuttle is not required. The furthest parking spot is less than a five minute walk from the terminal.

Q: When picking up/dropping off a passenger, can we park on the curb and go inside the terminal?
A: For security reasons, no cars are permitted to be left unattended on the curb. Several parking options are available to meet your needs. Unattended cars are subject to parking fines.

Q: How much does it cost to take a taxi downtown?
A: The average cost to take a taxi downtown is $29.

Q: How do I get to the airport from …?
A: By using this interactive map, you will be able to obtain information on how to get to the airport. Simply fill in the address of where you are departing from.

Pets

Q: Are pets allowed at the airport?
A: Pets on a leash are allowed at the airport. However, for consideration of those around you who may have allergies or may be scared of your pet, it is best to leave your companion at home. Disruptive, unruly or unclean pets may be asked to vacate the premises.

Airwatch

Q: Where is the observation area?
A: The observation area is located on level 3 of the passenger terminal building. From this post, you will have an excellent view of the runway and aircraft.

Q: Where can I watch planes take off and land?
A: The observation area is the best location from inside the passenger terminal building. However, depending on the runway being used, there are several other locations around the airfield (outside the airport precinct) that may provide the view you are looking for.

Filming and Photo Activities

Q: Can I take photos and/or film at the airport?
A: Anyone who wishes to take photographs or footage of the airport are asked to contact the Communications and Public Relations Department at 613-248-2000 ext. 1142 prior to coming to the airport. The filming policy can also be found under Publications in the Newsroom section on this site.