Windsor International Airport

The Local Windsor Airport, not too big, and not too small. I’ve flown out through here less than 10 times, and have never had any problems. The Airport is small enough to be very efficient and keeps its facilities clean. A complimentary coffee/​tea section sits near the security checkpoint while you wait for your flight.

Windsor International Airport (YQG) is probably one of the smallest international airports I’ve visited, but despite the size it does pack a bit of a punch. To my surprise Air Canada, WestJet, Porter and Sunwing all offer flights from YQG. With its central location you’re just minutes from downtown Windsor and Detroit as well!
Air Canada and Porter fly-​in/​out from Toronto which translates to a connection option for most wanting to land in the Windsor/​Detroit area. But if you’re like me and fly from Calgary, then there’s a direct flight option offered seasonally by WestJet (currently starts in May and ends in October). This is an awesome option for getting to the area from Calgary as a connecting flight usually adds 3h+ and even costs more! Sunwing is what makes YQG international, they offer seasonal flights to Cuba and Cancun. Cool option for locals!
The airport layout is as simple as they come, it’s basically a long rectangle lol. The East end is basically your arrivals area with Gates 4 and 5, Gate 3 is on the west end but can also be used for arrivals. This is also where you will find the baggage carousel. Outside on the East end is the bus stop as well. The airline check-​in counters, car rental and parking pay station are all around the middle area. Outside around the middle you’ll find the Taxi Stand. Finally on the western end is where you’ll find the previously mentioned Gate 3 along with Gates 1 & 2, which is essentially your departures area and passenger/​baggage screening. This is where you would go to get to the post-​security area. Outside on the western end is where you’ll find the limo stand. With just the one screening area I find it can take a bit to get through security once people start lining up, however the security personnel are friendly and professional. The rest of the staff at the airport seem friendly/​polite as well.
For food options there’s a café that is on an alternating schedule between the departures lounge and main concourse. On the lounge side there’s also a bar at the café. Outside in the pre-​security area there’s a newer restaurant near Gate 4, I can’t comment on their offerings but the family we visited had a negative review. There’s also vending machines in both pre/​post-​security. It appears these carry healthier food options.
A couple other things worth mentioning: free Wi-​Fi, a definite must in today’s day and age, also free baggage carts. There is no shopping stores here. Probably the biggest disappointment at this airport is the parking; it’s only about 20% less than Calgary!!! First off no free short-​term parking, but there is a Cell Phone Lot which basically accomplishes the same thing. The next closest thing is the Express Lot that charges hourly and then finally there’s the Daily Lot for longer term parking. For the Express Lot you’ll have to pay inside before leaving which is pretty inconvenient, the Daily Lot has its own pay station.
All things considered YQG is very functional for its size, I’d say it actually over delivers with its international flight options. Beyond that you’ll find yourself connecting through Toronto to get here, unless you live in TO of course. BUT… if you’re in Calgary the seasonal direct flights are a HUGE plus! Free Wi-​Fi: check, food availability: check, easy going security: check, friendly staff: check, parking: below expectation. YQG Solid bet if you need to get the Windsor/​Detroit area!

I needed help urgently-couldn’t find anybody to help. Saw a lady in uniform. Asked for help. This person saw i was in distress couldn’t give a rats ass. Just said: «i don’t work for airline. You have to wait for airline attendant». I asked who she works for, she said government-​she said and continued to text on her phone. The whole government? Well then, government, shame on you for employing such a waste of tax dollars.
And the rest wasn’t much better. Air Canada employee Linda lived down to Air Canada reputation. She showed as much compassion as wood board.
Airport is small & cute but customer service is terrible. This airport and its employees could be so much more. It’s just as if they don’t care and don’t have any pride in their work. Windsor Airport, you can be better! Only if you try

Small local airport with almost all flights (Air Canada, Porter) flying to Toronto (Pearson or Billy Bishop). There is a seasonal Westjet flight to Calgary and an occasional charter.
The best thing about this airport is how easily you can check in and get through security. Welcome and refreshing versus most other airports. You can literally get into the waiting area in ten to 15 minutes.
The airport is clean. The lounge is fantastic with lots of electrical outlets and an area with comfortable leather chairs.
There are small food serving stands but no formal restaurant to speak of.
Great little airport. Just wish there were more direct flights to other areas but that’s what DTW is for!

This is the by far the smallest of airports I have ever flow in/​out of. I drive in from suburban Detroit to fly to western Canada from this airport. Very clean and efficient without all the hustle and bustle and headaches of a major airport. You get onto the jet by walking up a ramp on the tarmac, since the airport has only one ground level. I remember it was VERY windy so you need to hold on to your stuff.
You can expect easy access to the parking lot. (You pay for the parking once you leave the airport at the end of your stay by credit card via an electronic machine upon departing the lot. Cost per week is about $ 42.50). Check the airport website if you plan on paying with cash instead.
Check-​in at the (Westjet) counter was relatively quick since I had arrived a couple hours prior to my flight. The security folks were very pleasant, unlike at some airports where they give you a long hard stare if you even smile at them). I noticed that most people wore tennis shoes and so did not have to remove them at the checkpoint. I, of course, had to take my sandals off due to the large silver buckles as explained to me by the security officer. OK, no problem there. I did as was told. This was the fastest security check I have ever gone through.
Once past security, I checked out the restroom. It was large, very clean, stocked with bathroom tissue and paper towels and quite spacious with good lighting.
As for getting a bite to eat, there is a tiny café with an attendant that you can purchase light food (snacks, muffins, beverages). If you want a hearty meal, be prepared to eat prior to arriving at this airport because you won’t find that here. There are also quite a few vending machines which dispense various sodas and juices. I had a problem trying to get a ginger ale. Only one machine offered it and apparently they were out. Not only that, NONE of the machines dispensed any bottles of water. I tried EVERY SINGLE machine and each one ate my money and when I pressed the «return» button, my money was not returned. All I wanted was some water to take some meds with and couldn’t get any out of those machines.
After losing over $ 5.00, I reported this to the attendant at the café. She was quite indifferent about what had happened and even told me that «no one» would be available to help me get my money back. She went on to say that she had «no idea» of who to contact to get help but that she would «try.» Since I had plenty of time before boarding my flight, I told her I would sit and wait in the café area while she would «try» to find someone as she had indicated earlier. Apparently after an hour, she totally had forgotten as I walked back up to the counter and by the look on her face, she seemed surprised I was still waiting… I find that this young lady lacked the professionalism of a true customer service attendant. It was apparent that she had forgotten about me. I thanked her anyways, and walked over to the waiting area of my gate. The point was mute in getting my money back. So BEWARE of the vending machines. You won’t get any lost money back.
The waiting area at the gate is comfortable. It looks like the seating is quite new and there is plenty of seating available. The staff at the gate check-​in were very pleasant as well.
Overall I give this review 4 stars simply due to the fact that I wasn’t able to get my money back and the lack of professionalism on the attendants’ part in the café.

Traveling across Canada from Windsor Airport beats the headache-​inducing lines at Detroit Metropolitan or the medieval torture of Pearson during high season. Where else can you stroll 100 meters from extended stay parking to check in for your flight? If I tried to pull that at DTW, I’d be in chains and my poor car impounded before I could cry, «O Canada!»
Four gates service planes primarily from Air Canada Jazz, WestJet, and Porter. The check in lanes all lack for electronic check-​in and boarding pass machines, an oversight that keeps me from awarding five stars. I can secure my seats up to 24 hours in advance on my phone, so the airlines could at least provide a single kiosk each for all the taxes we pay on our tickets. WestJet staff at the counter were effervescent and efficient, and we slipped through security with only a modest hitch: some mysterious residue on my shoes or hands that possibly tripped the machine. A quick swab showed nothing odd other than the patina that working in downtown Detroit will bring.
Large waiting areas feature comfy chairs and actual loveseats for the longer stay, as need be. Score! LCD TVs tuned to CBC and CTV News — pick your poison — provided endless recaps of the latest Mayor Ford scandal and national politics, but not at an obnoxious volume. Other facilities and comforts are limited by the petite size of the airport. Washrooms are spotless and well-​maintained, a plus. Food is thin on the ground, though; vending machines stock the usual array of preprocessed snacks and drinks, and a very small café serves up pastries and snacks from Costco’s bakery for a pretty sum ($ 3 for a muffin from the $ 6 12-​pack, but I suppose we all pay for convenience) along with fruits, overpriced sandwiches, and plastic cups of Labatt’s and Molson like you’re at a friend’s basement party. Whatever calms the nerves, right?
Our flight was modestly delayed on the tarmac, and staff kept us informed. I’ve never seen so many strollers in my life as my flight to Calgary, but WestJet staff stowed the cargo and the kids quickly so the rest of us could board. We still landed in Calgary on time. Good organization all around helped keep things moving, and for a taste of nostalgia, we actually got friendly hellos as passengers scampered over the tarmac for the portable ramps. Yes, it’s just like traveling back in the early 1990s when you were actually some kind of person instead of a breathing doll crammed on a sardine can.
Parking is $ 8.50 a day, capped at $ 42.50 weekly, a bargain for locals bound for destinations near and far.
I’ll definitely check to see whether I can score seat sales for Canadian destinations in the future. Even with the $ 4 tunnel toll and extra driving, the relaxed pace at Windsor Airport and a much more pleasant departure/​arrival schedule beats the big airport experience hands down.

Such a small cute airport! Never been here before. Has a good flight from Calgary and nice and easy to drive down to Detroit. Just a few gates and you have to walk onto the plane with a ramp. They don’t have any restaurants but they have a little café area where there are prepared sandwiches, salads, sweets and a small bar. Porb recommend going to grab some food before you get there if you have a long wait.

Simple, clean airport with minimal ammenities. 1.99 $ per day for use of Wi-​fi (Boingo). Small food service area was closed on the other side of security check: if you are hungry purchase your food beforehand or inquire about availability before going through security.