✈️ Flight Guide: Vancouver (YVR) → Ottawa (YOW)

Major events—Winterlude (February), Canada Day (July 1), Ottawa Bluesfest (July), and Tulip Festival (May)—drive up demand at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW), increasing economy fares. For travel to other cities, also watch destination-specific events (e.g., New York Fashion Week, Boston Marathon) that raise arrival prices. To avoid event-driven fare spikes, travel a few days before or after the event, opt for alternative arrival airports, or set fare alerts months ahead to capture price drops.

The best time to fly cheaply from Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) is during shoulder months: April–May and September–November. For domestic economy travel, book 6–8 weeks ahead; for U.S. and short international economy routes, book 2–3 months ahead; for transatlantic economy fares, aim for 3–6 months in advance. Fly mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) and avoid holiday weekends to secure the lowest fares.

Connecting flights typically lower the price of economy fares versus direct routes, especially for international and transcontinental trips from Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW). However, connections add travel time and potential disruption risk. Choose connecting itineraries to save money if you have flexible schedules and allow at least 90–120 minutes for domestic connections and 2–3 hours for international transfers through hubs like Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

Air Canada and WestJet offer broad networks and frequent direct flights from Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW), but their economy base fares may include higher taxes and fees. Porter provides convenient short-haul connections and a customer-friendly experience from YOW, while Swoop and Flair can offer the lowest headline economy fares but often charge extra for bags and seat selection. When comparing, calculate total door-to-door cost including baggage, seat fees, and transfers to nearby arrival cities like Toronto and Montreal.

Winter: Book early for holiday travel and opt for flexible fares during snow-risk months; pack essential cold-weather gear in carry-on to avoid checked-bag delays. Spring: Use shoulder-season pricing to score cheaper economy fares to Europe and U.S. cities; watch for school-break surges. Summer: Expect peak pricing—book 2–4 months in advance and consider mid-week travel. Fall: Great for bargains—September and October often have the cheapest economy fares and milder travel conditions. Always verify cancellation policies and travel insurance for seasonal disruptions.

Typical scheduled flight times from Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW): to Toronto (YYZ) ~1hr; Montreal (YUL) ~45min; New York City (JFK/EWR) ~1.5–2hrs; Boston (BOS) ~1.5hrs; Orlando (MCO) ~3hrs; Cancun (CUN) ~4.5–5hrs. For the cheapest economy fares, Look for early-morning or late-evening flights and consider adding longer layovers to reduce price. Check airline schedules for seasonal routes and use connection windows of at least 90–120 minutes for domestic-to-international transfers.

To find cheap flights in economy, combine flexible date searches with low-cost carriers and alternative arrival airports. Use fare aggregators, set multiple price alerts, and avoid peak holiday windows. Consider booking one-way tickets on different airlines for cheaper round-trip combinations and use nearby hubs like Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to lower costs. Sign up for airline newsletters and monitor Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales for the biggest savings.