montreal tours from airport

Montreal Layover Guide (YUL)

What are you looking for in YUL? Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) the primary international airport in Dorval, Quebec. It serves Greater Montreal, as well as adjacent regions in Quebec, eastern Ontario, the states of Vermont and northern New York in the United States. It is located 20 km (12 mi) from downtown Montreal. The airport is named in honor of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada. The airport has had commercial flights since it was opened in 1941. Montreal is known as an important center of commerce, aerospace, transport, finance, pharmaceuticals, technology, design, education, art, culture, tourism, food, fashion, gaming, film, and world affairs.

Can you leave Montreal Airport (YUL) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa? It's possible to leave Montréal–Trudeau International Airport during a layover. You would need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) depending on your nationality to pass through immigration and customs control. ( more info )

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Canada Organized Tours

Montreal: Quebec City & Montmorency Falls Day Trip

Discover the magic of Quebec City and Montmorency Falls on a full-day trip by bus from Montreal. Explore the narrow streets, steep hills, and history of Quebec City’s Old Town while visiting Place Royale, Old Quebec, Petit Champlain, Notre Dame Basilica, and the Quebec Citadel. Even ride the funicular built into the cliff which links Upper and Lower Quebec for magnificent views of the river and its surroundings. Be charmed by extraordinary views of the impressive Montmorency Falls which is a waterfall 1.5 times bigger than Niagara. » book this tour

Montreal: Private Tour with a Local

Explore Montreal sociable and passionate locals who will help you discover all the hidden gems of the city. Discover Montreal like a real local as you marvel at the elegance and old-world style of the most European city in North America. By the end of the tour, you’ll feel more comfortable navigating the city and confident about all the information you need to make the most of your stay. » book this tour

Montreal: 3.5-Hour Guided Bus Tour

Montreal is perfect for a guided bus tour and you can enjoy the cultural atmosphere. See the panoramic views of Montreal and St. Lawrence River from St. Joseph’s Oratory atop Mont Royal Park. Experience over 200 points of interest in Montreal such as Mont Royal Park, Place Ville Marie shopping mall, Chinatown and Old Montreal. The entire journey has commentary from a friendly bilingual guide. » book this tour

Canada Things to do / Sightseeing

Montreal Museum of Fine Art

The Montreal Museum of Fine Art is huge and has such a vast collection of 44,000 pieces of art that will take hours to cover in its entirety. In addition, there usually are many interesting temporary exhibits too. This is likely Montreal’s most prestigious museum where you can view an impressive assortment of Canadian and international works, including pieces by such renowned artists as Rembrandt, El Greco, Renoir, Cézanne and Picasso.

Time required: 3 hours.

Airport to here: You can get here in 20 minutes by taxi or the recommended public transport takes almost an hour.

Mount Royal

Mount Royal is an expansive city park which is almost 700 acres in size. The park gives a taste of the outdoors without having to leave the confines of the city. It is possible to explore its forested pathways, picnic in the shade, or do cross-country skiing across miles of trails. Most Canadians believe every minute spent on the mountain is either an escape from the city or a sweeping view of it.

Time required: Half Day.

Airport to here: You can get here in 30 minutes by taxi or the recommended public transport takes over an hour.

Six Flags Montreal

Six Flags, also known as La Ronde was originally built in 1967 for the World Expo. It has been modernized by an international chain into an amusement park with roller coasters of all kinds. The park is fun for all ages and has new thrill rides, fireworks, and shows!

Airport to here: You can get here in 20 minutes by taxi or the recommended public transport takes almost an hour and 30 minutes.

Montreal Biodome

The Montreal Biodome is a facility found at Olympic Park and allows visitors to walk through replicas of four ecosystems found in the Americas such as the Tropical Forest, the Laurentian Forest, the Saint Lawrence Marine Ecosystem and Subpolar Region. The building was originally made for the 1976 Olympic Games as a velodrome however it was renovated to indoor nature exhibit.

Airport to here: It takes an average of 30 minutes to get here by taxi or an hour by public transport.

Jean Talon Market

Jean Talon Market is one of the oldest public markets in Montréal, first opened in May 1933. Jean-Talon Market stands out with its many local fruit and vegetable growers, its diversity of small shopkeepers and its restaurateurs. It is a charming market and is perfect for a gastronomic hunt and it is also overflowing with local specialties. There’s something for every occasion and every taste!

Time required: 2 hours.

Airport to here: It takes an average of 20 minutes to get here by taxi or about an hour by public transport.

Saint Joseph’s Oratory

This is the biggest church in Canada and thus it attracts many pilgrims every year. It also has one of the largest church domes in the world. The Oratory is the highest building in Montreal and rises more than 30 meters higher than the height of Mount Royal’s summit, allowing it to be seen from many kilometers away. There is a great view at the top of this Roman Catholic so make sure to climb up. You can even enter the oratory and have a quiet moment for yourself.

Time required: 1 hour.

Airport to here: It’s a 25 minutes drive to get here or 50 minutes by public transport.

Montreal Holocaust Museum

Montreal Holocaust Museum tells a powerful story of Jewish communities before, during and after the Holocaust. It offers both permanent and temporary exhibits throughout the year featuring testimonies and objects from survivors to teach visitors about genocide in the past as well as in the present. Recent visitors called the museum humbling and moving, especially the video collection, which is narrated by survivors.

Airport to here: It’s a 25 minutes drive to get here or about an hour by public transport.

Things to Do in Montreal Airport (YUL)

Relaxing and sleeping.

Airport Lounges and Relaxing There are numerous lounges in each terminal. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping There are many hotel options less than a mile away. » view all or book an airport hotel online

Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport There are no designated rest areas within the airport.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free WiFi is available for 60 minutes, connect to the “YUL Wi-Fi”

SIM Card: There are several shops within the airport that sell SIM cards. » buy a global sim card for Canada, Montreal that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Taxi stands are found outside the central exit of the Arrivals of each terminal.

Train: The AirConnect airport shuttle connects Montreal-Trudeau International Airport with VIA Rail, a nationwide inter-city passenger railway service in Canada. ( more info ).

Bus: Local bus lines link the Montréal-Trudeau airport and downtown Montréal ( more info ).

Shuttle: Orléans Express offers a return shuttle service by coach between Montréal–Trudeau and the cities of Trois-Rivières, Ste-Foy and Québec City while Greyhound offers a return shuttle service by coach between Montréal–Trudeau and the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau.

Car rentals: Car rental counters are available onsite at the arrival halls of each terminal at the airport. » view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: The parking lots are found close to each terminal and there is information online about the availability of booking and reservation.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There are storage rooms found in the Domestic Terminal and it is possible to keep a wide range of items there. » book a luggage storage or locker at Montreal Airport (YUL) online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Montreal Airport (YUL) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks

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Layover in Montréal – the ultimate guide 2024

If you find yourself having to do either a short or long stopover in Montreal, there are plenty of ways to turn this situation to your advantage. In addition to the usual array of taxis, Uber, and shuttle buses, Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport is connected to the downtown area by the 747-bus service which runs seven days a week. You should expect that journey to take between 45 and 75 minutes depending on traffic density.

Whether you are on a short Montreal layover or are there longer, you should consider dropping extra bags at a convenient Montreal luggage storage service so that you are not condemned to having to haul heavy bags throughout your stay.

This city was established in 1642 and that long history means that there has been plenty of time for the development of both historical and cultural tourist attractions to keep you happily entertained, no matter how long the duration of any layover.

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6 hour Montreal layover

Old Montreal is just south of the downtown area and with a short Montreal airport layover, you will just about have enough time to explore this area. Having stored your bags in a convenient locker, jump on the 747 bus or catch a cab directly to the Old Town.

Once there, you can do much of your exploring on foot and the cobbled streets and intact old buildings have preserved much of the European atmosphere. In fact, sitting at a street-side café in Place Jacques-Cartier sipping coffee will have a distinctly European feel to it. There, in the summer months, many artists and street performers will have set up shop to add to your entertainment options.

After that, stroll along the Old Port which runs along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Here is where the original settlers disembarked, and though no longer a working port it has been converted into a popular recreation area with plenty of bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. 

• Unfortunately, a short layover doesn't give you time to do much more but hopefully, you will have escaped the airport for a few hours and enjoyed yourself in the process.
• The Old Town and Old Port are great areas to suck up a bit of Montreal’s atmosphere in a limited amount of time.
• Allow time to get back to the airport and to clear security before you board your connection.

8 hour Montreal layover

On a slightly longer layover, you are able to combine one or two different tourist attractions and discover a little more of what this city is about. As with a six-hour layover, you might get a feel for the area by starting in the Old Town but now you can make a more in-depth exploration.

You can delve deeper into the history of the region at the Montréal Museum of History and Archaeology . This modern museum tells the story of Montréal from the First Nations groups that originally settled the area through the heyday of Nouvelle France to the modern Canadian city Montréal has become. You could easily spend a couple of hours here, but remember that large bags are not permitted, so drop yours off at a Montréal luggage storage before you visit.

• Explore Montréal’s history at the Museum of History and Archaeology.
• Learn about the First Nations who originally settled the area and the French colonists who founded Montréal.

10 hour Montreal layover

Another option during a Montréal Airport layover might be to visit the Basilica Notre Dame . Here a self-guided tour will take an hour and you will see sublime stained-glass windows, a 7000-pipe organ, and numerous gilded ornaments. If you are lucky enough to be there for an Aura show it is one you won’t want to miss. Beneath the ornate vaulted ceilings, you will be exposed to a light and music extravaganza. This is quite breathtaking and will leave you with lasting memories.    

• You might be able to combine all these options on your Montreal layover, but only if you are really disciplined about time management.
• It may be more pleasant to cherry-pick your adventures than to try to cram in too much.
• Don’t even attempt any of these attractions if you are carrying luggage.

12 hour Montreal layover

A long layover in Montreal means that you have more options to consider. You will still need to be choosey in order to get the best from your visit but hopefully, that few extra hours will mean you aren't obliged to pay so much attention to your watch.

If the weather is pleasant, Mont-Royal is the most popular park in the city and makes for a delightful outdoor stroll. It is easy to find because it is set on the triple-peaked hill around which the city is built and from which it derives its name. From the top, you will be afforded excellent views of the city.

Art lovers are in for a treat in Montreal. The Musee des beaux-arts Montreal is rated as one of the top art museums in the country. If you would prefer to explore art that is at more of a cutting edge, then the Musee d’art Contemporain is where you should head for.

Poutine is a dish closely linked to Montreal culture. It might not sound like much when you consider that the ingredients are cheese, gravy, and fries, but this city has managed to make it into a mouthwatering combination, so it is something to think about as you enjoy your layover.

• You won’t get to visit all that you have just read about but you will be able to choose your favorite options.
• Rather than trying to do too much, pick one or two attractions and enjoy them to the full.

24 hour Montreal layover

An overnight Montreal layover offers you the opportunity to explore some of the city’s buoyant nightlife. There are plenty of activities to make your stay a memorable one. In addition to bars and clubs, there is a thriving jazz culture in the city, so if you are an aficionado of this genre, you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to while away the hours.

Montreal is famed for its food. The heavy French influence really becomes apparent here, but other cultures such as Haiti and Italy have also staked their claim to the culinary creations of the city. Whether you want top-end classic dining, or you would prefer something more simple or regional, you will find a dining experience to suit you in the downtown area.

• On an overnight layover always consider access back to the airport when choosing your hotel.
• If you are traveling light, the return ride to the airport to make your next connection will be far less difficult.

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• What To Do On A...

What to Do on a Layover in Montreal

Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) sits around 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the downtown area, so if you find yourself there for a layover, the city is close enough to get in some exploring. Here’s our guide to how you can get the most out of your stopover in Montreal .

There are a few transport options to consider when you’re heading into the city from the airport. The most cost-effective way is via the city’s public transit system (the STM), which offers a 24/7 shuttle service with two route options. The Destination Terminus Lionel-Groulx is a single-stop shuttle that takes between 25 and 35 minutes, depending on traffic, and will drop you off at the Lionel-Groulx métro station, and the Destination Centre-ville makes 11 stops through downtown with an estimated travel time of 45 to 70 minutes. The cost is $10, which also includes unlimited transit use on the STM’s bus and métro networks for 24 consecutive hours.

Taxis can take you to downtown Montreal for a fixed fare of $38.00, as well as the more controversial option of Uber. Via Rail offers an airport shuttle when you need to travel from the Dorval rail station and YUL.

1. If you have three hours...

If you’ve just got a few hours but you’re hankering to get a glimpse of Montreal , make your way to the city’s most popular neighborhood for visitors: the Old Port. This area is the most historic district of Montreal, with cobblestoned streets lined with buildings that date back into the 1700s. Even with a brief layover, a quick excursion to the Old Port is a great way to get a glimpse into Montreal’s long history and French colonial roots, unusual for North American cities.

With a taxi, the Old Port is about 20 minutes from the airport.

Vieux-Port de Montreal, 333 Rue de la Commune O, Montreal, QC, Canada

Old Montreal, a neighborhood that hosts many of the city’s private art galleries & shops | © Daniel Kuhn / Flickr

2. If you have five hours...

With a little more time, you could opt to head to the city center and then make your way to Mont-Royal , the big scenic park that rises above the city and offers great panoramic views. Culture Trip recommends taking the meandering walk up the mountain during the warmer months (from June to October) to get a sense of the local terrain and to mingle with locals as they jog, hike, or bike up the “mountain” that comprises Montreal ’s most popular park.

Once you reach the main belvedere at the top, you can take in the lovely view of the city’s downtown area, reaching out toward the St. Lawrence River and beyond. To expedite the trip to the top, which could take about 45 minutes on foot, you could hop onto a BIXI from the city’s bike rental system instead. The park is around 35 minutes by car from YUL.

Heading to the top of Mont-Royal is an excellent option if you want to get a bit of a workout after your long flight. If you’re there on a Sunday, you might also be able to watch the Tam-Tams , an informal, free weekly festival that gathers around the park’s George-Étienne Cartier Monument during the summer. Grab a snack from one of the wandering vendors and join drum players, vendors, dancers, and visitors as they lounge around in the grass, picnicking and relaxing.

Mont-Royal, Montreal, Canada

Fall colors in Montreal | © Artur Staszewski / Flickr

3. If you have seven hours...

With a longer layover, you can combine an exploration of the Old Port with the Mont-Royal nature walk. If possible, take a BIXI to shorten the travel time between the two areas—or a taxi. With an extra couple of hours, you can also get a better sense of the city’s best eats afterward. From Mont-Royal, you could take the half-hour walk over to Boulevard Saint-Laurent, one of Montreal’s well-known arteries for restaurants, bars, cafés, and boutiques. Culture Trip’s top recommendation is Schwartz’s Deli , where you might have to wait in line to try one of their famed smoked-meat sandwiches. Schwartz’s has been around since 1928, and it remains one of Montreal’s most iconic foodie experiences. From Schwartz’s, take a taxi back to the airport. If the traffic’s in your favor, it should take just under half an hour.

Schwartz’s Deli, 3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC, Canada , +1 514 842 4813

A smoked meat sandwich from the iconic Schwartz’s in Montreal | © chensiyuan / WikiCommons

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If you have 12 hours…

If you’ve got a half day (or more) to spend in the city, you can take your Montreal experience to the next level by visiting a couple of key monuments and one of the city’s world-class museums, in addition to the recommended itinerary above. This time, while you’re in the Old Port, make a stop at the impressive Notre-Dame Basilica, originally built in 1656, which is Montreal’s oldest Catholic church. The Basilica is known for its breathtaking stained glass, intricately gilded design work, and high altar.

After exploring Mont-Royal and having lunch at Schwartz’s, you can make your way via BIXI or on foot (30 minutes) to the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal , which is one of Canada’s most famous museums. There’s also the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal , which showcases cutting-edge work by Quebec and international artists. You can access the 747 shuttle bus from either of the museums, which will give you access to the métro system so that you can board the shuttle at Berri-UQAM station.

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, 110 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC, Canada , +1 514 842 2925

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, Canada , +1 514 285 2000

Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, 185 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC, Canada , +1 514 847 6226

After a full day of exploring the history, art, architecture, and nature of Montreal , you’ll have made the most out of your layover and experienced some of the best cultural sites that the city has to offer. But even a shorter layover will give you enough insight into the creative pulse of Montreal , which is sure to convince you to return for a longer trip next time.

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Our immersive trips , led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.

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Free and up-to-date :), things to do around montreal-trudeau airport, montreal: hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour.

Discover Montreal on a comprehensive hop-on hop-off tour aboard a double-decker bus. Enjoy a fully narrated 1.5-hour tour or hop on and off at your convenience.

Montréal: 3 or 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music

Enjoy a 5-course gourmet getaway and dance under the stars aboard the AML Cavalier Maxim. Depart from the Old Port of Montréal, and feast from an exquisite menu prepared in the kitchens. Soak up the atmosphere as it changes with the flow of the river.

Montreal: La Grande Roue de Montréal Entry Ticket

Book an entry ticket to La Grande Roue de Montréal, Canada's largest observation wheel, located in the heart of the Old Port. Enjoy unbeatable views of Montreal and beyond from 60 meters high.

Montréal: St. Lawrence Sightseeing River Cruise

Embark on a multi-lingual guided sightseeing cruise in Montreal, the cultural capital of French Canada. Marvel at iconic attractions as you cruise down the St. Lawrence River and choose between a daytime and evening tour.

Montreal: Le Bateau-Mouche St. Lawrence Sightseeing Cruise

Make the most of the summer months on a 1 or 1.5-hour cruise aboard Le Bateau-Mouche. Ride aboard a stable and nimble vessel upon the St Lawrence River, as you cruise in and out of Montreal's Old Port and enjoy panoramic views from the water.

From Montreal: Quebec City and Montmorency Falls Day Trip

Discover the magic of Quebec City on a guided day trip by bus from Montreal. Be charmed by narrow streets, steep hills and historic treasures, and see a waterfall 1.5 times bigger than Niagara.

Tours and transport

Montreal: guided bus tour.

Soak up Montreal's cultural atmosphere as your bus drives through the city. See over 200 sites and enjoy incredible views as you explore Mont Royal Park, Place Ville Marie shopping mall, Chinatown and Old Montreal.

Montreal: Old Montreal English Walking Tour

Discover the oldest district of Montreal on this guided tour. Travel through history, as you admire the breathtaking architecture, and listen to your guide as they tell you about days gone by.

Montreal: No Diet Club: Walking food Tour with many tastings

Discover Montreal’s food scene on a guided walking tour through the bustling Mile End neighborhood. Taste a variety of delicious local dishes as you meet fellow travelers.

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Want to ride a WWII-era B-29 bomber? A Michigan airport will host warplane tours.

• Updated: Jun. 24, 2024, 2:06 p.m. |
• Published: Jun. 24, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

The cockpit of a B-29 Superfortress World War II bomber parked at Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Monday, June 17, 2024. The plane came to Syracuse as part of the AirPower History Tour of the Commemorative Air Force, which will visit Michigan later this month. (Rick Moriarty | [email protected]) Rick Moriarty | [email protected]

• Justin Engel | [email protected]

TITTABWASSEE TOWNSHIP, MI — Ground-bound spectators will witness a throwback sky next week when a Dallas-based airborne “museum” will bring World War II-era military aircraft into mid-Michigan airspace.

The Commemorative Air Force AirPower History Tour is scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday, June 26-30, at MBS International Airport and the skies above it.

Organizers said the five-day event will involve ground-level tours as well as rides provided in a lineup of warbirds that includes a Boeing B-29 “superfortress,” a high-altitude, four-engine bomber the U.S. deployed during both World War II and the Korean War.

Other warplanes expected to arrive at the Tittabawassee Township airport this week: the P-51 Mustang, T-6 Texan, PT-13 Stearman and RC-45J Expeditor.

The B-29, nicknamed “Fifi,” will take flight at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, organizers said. Rides on the other aircraft will be available during the tour’s normal hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Attendees can book seats online in advance aboard the airborne flights.

A ride on “FiFi” costs from $725 to $1,375 while a seat inside the P-41 Mustang ranges from $2,500 to $4,000.

Rides aboard the other aircraft range from $150 to $750.

Ground-level access to the fleet — including tours of the cockpits — will cost $20 for adults, $10 for children aged 11 to 17, and free for children 10 and younger.

The warplanes will land at the Avflight hangar at MBS International Airport.

The Dallas-based Commemorative Air Force will visit Midwest locations across the summer months , including stops in Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin in July.

Pilot Larry Lumpkin polishes a P-51D Mustang World War II fighter on Monday, June 17, 2024, at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The plane is in Syracuse for the Commemorative Air Force's AirPower History Tour. (Rick Moriarty | [email protected]) Rick Moriarty | [email protected]

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Lebanon gives tour of Beirut airport to refute arms claims, amid fears of war with Israel

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Lebanese government officials took more than 100 foreign diplomats and journalists on a tour Monday of the country’s only international airport in a bid to refute a British newspaper report alleging that the facility was being used to store Hezbollah weapons.

The unusual tour followed Sunday’s article in the Telegraph that quoted anonymous airport workers claiming the existence of a Hezbollah weapons cache in the airport, including artillery, ballistic and antitank missiles and explosives.

According to the un-bylined Telegraph story, one Beirut airport staffer reported seeing “unusually big boxes” arriving on a flight from Iran in November and that a high-ranking Hezbollah member oversaw customs shipments.

Coming amid escalating tensions between the paramilitary group and Israel, the report set off a frenzy of denials from Lebanese officials and raised fears it would be used by Israel to justify a strike on the airport.

It comes at a delicate time for the country: Since October, when Hezbollah launched a “support front” aimed at reducing pressure on Hamas, the Iran-backed group and Israel have traded daily strikes across the Lebanese-Israeli border.

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So far, at least 481people have been killed in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah operatives but also 94 civilians, according to tallies by monitoring groups and news outlets. In Israel, 17 soldiers have been killed, Israeli authorities say.

Though hostilities between the two sides have been mostly around the border, fighting escalated in recent weeks , with many fearing a wider assault is only one miscalculation away.

The caretaker Lebanese Transportation Minister Ali Hamieh, a Hezbollah ally, dismissed the Telegraph’s report as “ridiculous,” saying that the airport’s cargo operations adhered to international standards. He said that consultations had already begun with other parts of the Lebanese government to launch legal proceedings against the Telegraph.

Attending the tour were representatives of diplomatic missions from the European Union, Germany, Spain, Egypt, China, India and Pakistan, among others.

As part of the tour, diplomats and journalists visited two cargo areas in the airport that Hamieh said accounted for all traffic there — including the Iranian shipments mentioned in the Telegraph’s report.

“With this article, we’ve gone from [Israeli] airspace violations to a psychological war through written articles,” he said during a news conference after the tour. He referred to the Israeli military’s frequent flying of its warplanes into Lebanese airspace.

“And now we’ve shown the falsehood of those articles,” he told the group. “They are silly articles.”

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Ihab Hamada, a member of Hezbollah’s political bloc in the Lebanese parliament, told the state-run National News Agency that the group did not need the airport for its weapons.

The Israeli foreign ministry’s official account on the social media platform X retweeted the Telegraph article, commenting that “in normal countries, airports are used for travel.”

Israel has targeted Beirut’s airport before. In 1968, Israeli special forces destroyed 12 passenger planes and two cargo planes on the airport’s tarmac in retaliation for a Palestinian attack on an Israeli airliner.

In 2006, the same day that Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers, Israel bombed the airport and cut off all sea access to the country.

During the tour, journalists and diplomats were taken through a large warehouse, with airport workers looking nonplussed as the group walked between shambolic piles of boxes and floor-to-ceiling shelving units.

Responding to questions about the report, an airport security officer — who did not give his name because he was not authorized to speak to the media — insisted that everything at the airport was aboveboard.

“Of course we haven’t seen anything of what these reports are saying,” the officer said.

Richard Mujais, the head of the state-run Middle East Airlines Ground Handling (MEAG), the company that handles all cargo at the airport, said that the cargo center was certified by several world bodies, including the European Commission and the International Air Transport Assn., and that multiple security agencies were involved in checking any incoming shipments before they entered the country.

In northern Israel, fears grow of a war that engulfs ‘all the Middle East’

On Israel’s border with Lebanon, residents are worried that groups like Hezbollah will join a war that eventually spirals into a regionwide conflict.

Oct. 12, 2023

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would reduce operations in Gaza and would shift their attention to Israel’s north, with the intention of securing the area, and allow the return of some 60,000 Israelis displaced from the border areas. In Lebanon, roughly 100,000 people have had to leave their homes due to Israeli bombardment.

“If we can do it politically, that would be great,” Netanyahu said. “If not, we will do it in another way, but we will bring everyone back home — all the residents of the north and the south.”

More to Read

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June 23, 2024

The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group warns Israel against wider war

June 20, 2024

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June 12, 2024

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Nabih Bulos is the Middle East bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times. Since 2012, he has covered the aftermath of the “Arab Spring” revolution as well as the Islamic State’s resurgence and the campaign to defeat it. His work has taken him to Syria, Iraq, Libya, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen as well as on the migrant trail through the Balkans and northern Europe. A Fulbright scholar, Bulos is also a concert violinist who has performed with Daniel Barenboim, Valeri Gergyev and Bono.

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Lebanon holds airport tours to dispel weapons report amid Israel-Hezbollah tension

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government organized a tour for foreign diplomats and journalists at the Beirut airport Monday following reports that the paramilitary Hezbollah group was stocking weapons at the facility as the group and Israel edge closer to full-blown war .

The tour at the Rafik Hariri International Airport included ambassadors from the European Union, Germany, Egypt, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Korea, Cuba, Romania, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Spain, Algeria and Nigeria, according to the state-run National News Agency.

The Lebanese ministers of information, foreign affairs and tourism led the tour, which also included local and international media crews.

The tour came in response to a report published Sunday by British daily The Telegraph, citing anonymous whistleblowers at the airport who claimed weapons supplies have been increasingly entering the facility on direct flights from Iran since the cross-border hostilities began last October.

Airport staff and intelligence sources interviewed by The Telegraph reported that “unusually big boxes” containing Iranian-made weapons were being stored and that high-level Hezbollah commanders were present.

Lebanon’s caretaker Minister of Information Ziad Makary denounced the report as part of a “psychological war” aimed at undermining the country’s “promising” summer tourism season.

“The airport is a public utility that concerns all the Lebanese,” he told the local MTV station from the airport on Monday, adding that it was impossible for Hezbollah to store missiles at the airport.

Shortly after the report was published, caretaker Transportation Minister Ali Hamieh denied the claims, vowing to sue the British daily.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Hamieh described the report as “ridiculous” and stressed, “There are no weapons entering or leaving Beirut airport.”

Hamied also criticized the paper for using unreliable sources, saying airport staff don't have the authority to open cargo that lands at the airport and that the customs department and airport security are in charge of screening.

The Union of Air Transport in Lebanon also denied the “baseless” report. In a statement on Sunday, it said the claims were “simply erroneous statements and lies aimed at endangering Beirut's airport and its employees, all civilians, and those who frequent it.”

The report comes at a critical time for Lebanon, amid fear that the Israel-Hezbollah cross-border fire will expand into a full-blown conflict.

Many Lebanese denounced the report on social media as justification for a possible Israeli airstrike on the airport in the event of war.

Field escalation

The exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and the Iran-backed Hezbollah that erupted Oct. 8, after the outbreak of the Gaza war, had been limited to the Israel-Lebanon border. But tensions have soared in recent days as the two parties escalated both rhetoric and strikes.

القصف العنيف لا يتوقف على بلدات الجنوب اللبناني .. لا شيء يمكنه إيقاف عجلة الحرب القادمة على ما يبدو  اللهم احمي لبنان وأهلنا في لبنان ما عدا أعداءنا من جماعة جرذ الضاحية انك على كل شيء قدير pic.twitter.com/X3BJ7Th64d — عمار آغا القلعة (@Ammaraghaalkala) June 23, 2024

Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets in the past few days, while Israel killed more than 300 Hezbollah fighters and commanders in airstrikes inside Lebanon.

The Israeli press reported Monday that a fire broke out in a field between Manara and Margaliot after an anti-tank missile was fired from Lebanon toward the Galilee.

Earlier on Monday, the army said two members of the security team in the northern town of Metula were injured in an anti-tank projectile fired from Lebanon overnight.

In another statement, the military said its fighter jets struck several sites used by Hezbollah in the southern Lebanese towns of Aitaroun, Kafr Kila and Khiam on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes flew at a low altitude over the southern area on Monday, the National News Agency reported, with one breaking the sound barrier over the town of Jezzine some 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the Israeli border.

Diplomatic action, warnings amid increasing threats

Israel has warned of a military offensive against Lebanon to eliminate the threat of Hezbollah on its northern front. Mediation efforts led by the United States and France have so far failed to calm the situation.

Hezbollah refuses to withdraw from the border area to beyond the Litani River, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. The group insists its fight against Israel will continue until a cease-fire is implemented in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the “intense phase” against Hamas in the Gaza Strip “is about to end” and the military’s focus will shift to the northern front with Lebanon.

“It doesn’t mean that the war is going to end, but the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah,” Netanyahu said in an interview with the Israeli Channel 14 Television on Sunday, his first with local Israeli media since Oct. 7.

Once that happens, he added, “we will have the possibility of transferring some of our forces north, and we will do that.”

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah has also escalated his threats, saying in a televised speech last week that “no place” in Israel would be spared if war broke out. Nasrallah also took aim at Cyprus, threatening to strike its airports and bases after allegedly receiving information that the small Mediterranean island will allow Israel to use its bases during a potential war against the Lebanese group.

Nasrallah’s threats prompted Cyprus to stress its neutrality in the Middle East, with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides saying that his country “is not part of the problem, it is part of the solution.”

Greece has expressed its support for Cyprus. Speaking to reporters in Luxembourg on Monday, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis called the threats “absolutely unacceptable” and stressed that his country will stand by Cyprus against terrorist organizations.

Nasrallah’s threats, coupled with reports that thousands of Iran-backed fighters were ready to join Hezbollah in battle with Israel, have raised fears of wider conflict in the Middle East.

Officials from Lebanese and Iraqi groups backed by Iran told the Associated Press on Sunday that fighters from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen will fight alongside Hezbollah if a war erupts. They claimed thousands of them were already deployed in Syria and ready to cross the border into Lebanon.

Iran’s mission to the UN warned Israel on Friday that it would be the “ultimate loser” in a war with Hezbollah.

“The Lebanese Resistance Movement, Hezbollah, has the capability to defend itself and Lebanon — perhaps the time for the self-annihilation of this illegitimate regime [Israel] has come,” the mission wrote on X.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown cautioned that an Israeli offensive in Lebanon would trigger an Iranian response in defense of its ally and “drive up the potential for a broader conflict.”

“Hezbollah is more capable than Hamas as far as overall capability, number [of] rockets and the like. And I would just say I would see Iran be more inclined to provide greater support to Hezbollah,” Brown told reporters on Sunday.

The European Union also sounded alarms over the situation in Lebanon spilling over to the region. “We are on the eve of the war expanding,” the bloc's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, told reporters in Luxembourg on Monday.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is heading to Lebanon on Tuesday following a stop in Israel and the West Bank for talks with officials on the border situation.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant embarked Sunday on a visit to Washington, where he is expected to discuss the escalation with Lebanon as well as the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Mood in Lebanon

Amid the escalating threats, several countries have asked their citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon. On Friday, Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry asked its citizens in Beirut to leave “as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, Canada is reportedly preparing to evacuate 45,000 of its citizens from Lebanon, according to Israeli media.

The situation has raised concerns among the Lebanese fearing war across the country.

The Arabic hashtag for "Lebanon does not want war" has been trending on social media since October, as many Lebanese and political forces blame Hezbollah for dragging the country into an unwanted war that Lebanon cannot afford amid a debilitating economic crisis and without a functioning government.

بين تهديد إسرائيل بضرب مطار بيروت بشكل غير مباشر عبر مقال في صحيفة اجنبية يفتقر لأدنى المعايير المهنية للعمل الصحفي،  وبين ربط حزب الله مصير لبنان بمصير المفاوضات بين حماس واسرائيل على رغم خطورة جر البلاد الى حرب شاملة، يستمر اللبنانيون بدفع الثمن عبر ضرب استقرارهم وامانهم… — Mark B. Daou 🅱️➕ (@DaouMark) June 24, 2024

Hezbollah, which has gained considerable influence inside Lebanon in recent years, last fought a war with Israel in 2006.

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Experience Montréal – at the airport!

Isa Tousignant

Aéroports de Montréal always does the most to add authenticity, charm and functionality to airports, and at Montréal-Trudeau Airport that includes shops that are infused with Montréal’s unique flavour. Got souvenirs to buy? Look no further! These top 10 airport boutiques are absolute musts.

1. Maison de la Presse

This Montréal-made chain of magazine and book stores is peppered all over the city, including in the heart of the Montréal-Trudeau Airport’s international zone. You’ll find a different collection of reading materials here than in your average chain – lots of Québec literature, local magazines and cookbooks by Montréal’s famous chefs, like Chuck Hughes and Ricardo.

2. Découvrir Montréal

We bet you loved your trip to Montréal so much you want it emblazoned on your chest. Here’s the place to stop! From Montréal logo shirts, caps, totes and more to genuinely cute accessories and pashminas perfect for the flight, this is a tourist shop with a twist, right in the U.S. zone.

3. DAVIDsTEA

Did you know this international tea giant was founded in Montréal? From individually packed ultra-popular flavours to gift packs mix-and-matching a selection, there’s everything for the tea lover in this Montréal sensation located in the domestic zone.

This Montréal chain of accessories shops curates a special selection that makes for great gifts – for others or yourself. Pop into this location in the international zone of the Montréal-Trudeau Airport and don a fancy pair of sunglasses or the perfect clutch for a night out to ensure you look Montréal- magnifique wherever you go.

This local brand is beloved by all Montréal yogis and fans of the most comfortable travel-wear ever. Located in the airport’s international zone, this brightly coloured shop is just the spot to pick up a travel yoga mat, a cute anorak or, why not, a whole new outfit.

6. Délices Érable & Cie

Never live without Québec maple syrup again! Stop by this gourmet shop in the U.S. zone and stock up on maple cookies, spread, butter, candies, nuts and straight-up syrup, of course. There are also other local specialties to check out and snack on.

Designed in Montréal, this clothing brand is a Belle Ville classic, favoured by professionals looking to add a little pizzazz to their personal style. Stop by this boutique in the Canadian zone and pick up a sharp blazer, stylish shirt or fun accessory to add to your luggage.

8. BALNEA Spa Voyage

An offshoot on one of Québec’s most popular spas, this shop offers a way to bring a little local relaxation away with you. Stop by before your flight in the international zone and indulge in a half-hour back rub or a manicure, or just stock up on their beautiful natural wellness products.

9. La Biscuitery

Montréal-made indulgence awaits you in the international zone at this cookie boutique . All made from family recipes without white sugar, preservatives or artificial flavours, these cookies are scrumptious enough to buy for the plane, for home and for friends!

10. Duty Free - The Loop

Everyone loves the duty-free! Explore the local delicacies for less at The Loop : you’ll find a selection of Québec ice wines, ciders, chocolates, cosmetics and accessories including wallets by Montréal brand Rudsak and jewellery by Montrealer Caroline Néron.

Isa Tousignant  is a Montréal-based editor and storyteller with a curiosity that runs deeper than most. She has chatted life philosophies with celebrity chefs, gemologists, arena rockers and furries. (All were transformative.) Her free time is spent  designing jewellery  and laughing at her  husband’s jokes .

Travel | Travel Troubleshooter: ITA Airways lost my…

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Travel | travel troubleshooter: ita airways lost my luggage. why won’t it cover my expenses.

Since my luggage was missing the entire trip, I had to make purchases, including luggage. My coat was in my suitcase. Thank God another woman on my tour lent me her coat. The weather was cold with heavy rain.

So many things that I needed were difficult to purchase because we returned from tours late in the day. I think I did a good job of keeping my cost of purchases to a minimum, but I still spent $992. I have copies of my receipts.

ITA Airways wants to reimburse me $733. I’d like to be fully reimbursed. Can you help me?

— Jacqueline Bartolini, Bradenton, Florida

ANSWER: ITA Airways is liable for the entire $992. Under the Montreal Convention, if an airline loses, damages or delays your checked luggage, you’re entitled to compensation up to an amount of about $1,400 (unless there’s damage caused by an “inherent” defect in the baggage).

Bottom line: If you can prove that you purchased these items while you were waiting for your luggage, ITA Airways should cover them.

Unfortunately, airlines don’t always pay what they’re supposed to. They may scrutinize your list of items and say, “We don’t think you really needed that.” Looking at your list, I can see a few items that might have raised eyebrows, including $85 in cosmetics, a $6 mirror and a pair of shoes for $172. However, you were careful to document each purchase and noted the reasons for buying each item.

I think ITA Airways needed to tell you why it wouldn’t cover certain items, but I don’t see it justifying its decision not to reimburse you anywhere in your correspondence with the airline.

You might have avoided these problems by traveling light and carrying your luggage on the plane. I know this sounds unreasonable, but take it from someone who lives out of his luggage — it’s doable.

I know very experienced travelers who never check their luggage. They buy any toiletries they need at their destination if it exceeds 3.4 ounces, like a large tube of toothpaste or a bottle of shampoo. (I have all my liquids in 3.4-ounce, airplane-safe containers.)

You could have appealed this to an executive at ITA Airways. I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of the ITA Airways executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

Given that ITA Airways didn’t really explain why it shorted you $259, I thought it was worth asking. So I did. After you reached out to my consumer advocacy team, we checked with ITA Airways. At first, the airline said it couldn’t refund you because it didn’t have documentation for some items. But it did have them, and you showed them the receipts again.

Finally, 10 months after you lost your luggage, ITA Airways sent us the following statement: “ITA Airways apologizes for the disruption and confirms that the customer will receive a refund for the expenses related to the purchase of items which occurred due to this inconvenience.”

Then it sent you a check for $733. I contacted ITA again and asked it to cover the rest of your expenses, as agreed. It finally did.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy.org/help/ . (c) 2024 Christopher Elliott Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Revealed: The World's Top Airlines To Fly With In 2024

Posted: June 26, 2024 | Last updated: June 26, 2024

The winner takes it all

Forget inedible meals, postage stamp-sized economy seats and sky-high fares – the airline industry has stepped up in 2023. From top-tier comfort and cleanliness to the best customer service and family-friendly facilities, we've rounded up a selection of the winners from last year's Skytrax's World Airline Awards 2023. Take a look at the airlines pulling out all the stops to make your flying experience that little bit more special.

World’s Most Improved Airline: Kuwait Airways

World’s Cleanest Airline: ANA All Nippon Airways

ANA (All Nippon Airways) is one of the most consistently high-rated airlines both in Asia and worldwide. It picked up the World’s Cleanest Airline award for the third year in a row in 2023, while also holding onto its 2022 crown for the World’s Best Airport Services. Founded in 1952, Japan’s largest airline – although not the national carrier – is one of the most significant airlines in Asia, operating 43 international and  61 domestic routes.

The airline focuses on an excellent in-flight experience infused with hints of Japanese culture. It provides passengers with amazing amenities, food, cleanliness and friendly cabin crew. After two years of tough COVID-19 restrictions, Japan resumed visa-free entry and independent travel in October 2022 – and it looks like ANA is rising to the occasion.

World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew: Garuda Indonesia

World’s Best Economy Class: Japan Airlines

World’s Best Premium Economy Class: EVA Air

World's Best Regional Airline: Bangkok Airways

As well as bagging the Best Regional Airline in Asia award, Bangkok Airways took home first place for the World’s Best Regional Airline. It might not come as a surprise: it's the seventh consecutive year the airline has won both awards. It serves 11 Thai hotspots and a growing number of international destinations, including Cambodia, Singapore, the Maldives, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Laos. 

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Bangkok Airways comprises a 30-strong fleet, with each aircraft decorated in their own liveries representing the destinations they fly to. The company's latest generation aircraft, the ATR72-600, includes a full-glass cockpit and larger overhead bins. 

Best Regional Airline in North America: Alaska Airlines

World’s Best Low-Cost Airline: AirAsia

This reliable airline has been awarded the World's Best Low-Cost Airline since 2010 and is well-recognised by other industry heavyweights for its budget offerings. The Premium Flatbed seat on its Airbus A330 is considered among the world’s best-value premium cabins, being fully reclinable with adjustable head and foot rests, plus comfy bedding and a privacy screen. Complimentary meals, priority boarding and baggage collection, and access to hours of inflight entertainment are included in the cost too.

The Malaysia-based airline operates flights across its home continent and beyond, with connections to Australia, the US, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Japan and more. Sign up for the rewards scheme and you can earn AirAsia points on whatever fare you choose, which can then be redeemed against hotels, tours, car hire and even future flights.

World's Best Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline: Scoot

Scoot, owned by the Singapore Airlines Group, has been awarded first place for budget travellers seeking long-haul destinations for two consecutive years now. The airline's economy class offers three fares: Fly, FlyBag and FlyBagEat. The cheapest fare is Fly, allowing carry-on of up to 10kg (22 pounds) per passenger; FlyBag includes 20kg (44-pound) checked baggage; and FlyBagEat adds on a hot meal.

But there's another reason everyone's talking about Scoot. In September 2022, it launched its first Pokémon-themed plane (pictured). The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (or "Pikachu Jet"), with its colourful livery and Japanese-inspired menu, serves selected journeys between Singapore, Taipei, Nanjing, Tokyo and Seoul throughout 2023.

World’s Most Family Friendly Airline: Air Canada

Skytrax’s Most Family Friendly Airline Award is a new category for 2023, factoring in how well an airline accommodates families being seated together, how helpful staff are, what dedicated family check-in, baggage and boarding procedures are in place, and the quality of children’s meals, entertainment and amenities. As well as making the lives of guardians and children that little bit easier while in the air, Air Canada also runs the Aeroplan Family Sharing scheme, where up to eight family members can share rewards points.

Best Airline in South America: LATAM

The largest airline in Latin America, LATAM won big across Skytrax's South America categories in 2023, taking gold for both Best Airline and Best Airline Staff Service on the continent. The airline serves Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

So what makes LATAM so great? The airline is addressing its sustainability credentials and has pledged to eliminate all single-use plastics onboard its services by the end of this year. It also aims to be zero-waste by 2027 and carbon neutral by 2050. Plus, its range of LATAM Airlines credit cards could see you earn up to 40,000 miles to redeem on flights.

Best Airline in Africa: Ethiopian Airlines

Not only did Ethiopian Airlines rank in the top 40% of Skytrax's list of the best 100 airlines in the world in 2023, but it was also crowned the Best Airline in Africa once again after winning the category for five previous years. The flag carrier of Ethiopia was founded in 1945 and today serves 19 domestic and 114 international destinations. The airline has the youngest and newest fleet across the entire continent, consisting of Boeing's Dreamliners and Triple Sevens as well as Airbus A350s.

There’s a range of cabin types – economy includes complimentary drinks and its luxury Cloud Nine service provides a curated business-class experience. Guests of Cloud Nine can enjoy exclusive lounge access, additional baggage allowance and an even comfier flight with more room to stretch out.

Best Airline in Europe: Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines was founded in 1933 with just five aircraft. Today, it flies to 269 destinations around the world, best summed up by its tag line: “We fly to more countries than any other airline in the world". The national carrier won the sought-after Best Airline in Europe award, as well as the same award for services in Southern Europe.

The airline offers an incredible culinary service – winning the top award for best catering in both business and economy class in 2023 – and its highly regarded lounge welcomes travellers in Istanbul. It’s regularly commended for being the best long-haul travel experience in Europe, and also serves Africa, North America and Asia.

Best Airline in North America: Delta Air Lines

According to Skytrax, Delta Air Lines is the top airline in North America for the second consecutive year. The accolades don’t stop there – the US-owned airline dominated the major North America categories, taking Best Airline Staff Service, Best Business Class, Best Premium Economy Class and Best Economy Class. It’s one of the world’s oldest airlines and is constantly expanding its network, adding London Gatwick to its roster in 2023 for the first time in 15 years.

But what makes it worth flying with? From check-in to landing there’s a seamless system; its Airport Curbside service (at most US airports) allows you to check in your baggage as soon as you’ve exited your vehicle at passenger drop-off. Its cabins range from Basic Economy to Delta One, where you can enjoy your own flat-bed seat, luxury skincare products and chef-curated meals.

World’s Best Airline Overall: Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines knocked 2022’s Airline of the Year Qatar Airways (a seven-time champion) off the top spot to second place this year, though the Middle Eastern carrier still cleaned up in the majority of the business-class categories. The Singapore Airlines Group (which includes the award-winning budget subsidiary airline, Scoot) ferried nearly 21 million passengers across the world last year and achieved its highest-ever monthly passenger load factor in December 2022. Click here to see the full results of the World Airline Awards 2023.

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Now discover the world's coolest airports

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