Halifax Airport has a single terminal common to all flights. The transit zone is divided into departures to the USA and all other flights.
Halifax is one of the relatively small and very uncluttered airports. Check-in desks and all departure gates are within a single building.
There are no satellite terminals in the middle of the airport area and even the furthest departure gates are within a 5 minute walk from security.
Transfer between flights
Halifax is a great and uncluttered airport for connecting flights. The airport area is relatively small and, more importantly, compact - walking distances are short and any immigration checks are quick and efficient (usually queues of up to 30 minutes).
Halifax serves well for transfers from London, Dublin, Edinburgh or Frankfurt to destinations in Eastern Canada without having to fly all the way to Toronto or Montreal.
Do I have to go through immigration and collect my luggage?
Canadian airports, unlike those in the US, have a separate transit area. However, you will still go through Canadian immigration.
If you are connecting in Halifax in one booking, your airline will likely check your baggage through to your final destination.
Canada <-> Canada
Once you step off the plane, you'll find yourself right in the departure gate area. Just search for your connecting flight by gate number.
You do not go through any checkpoint.
- Average transfer time - 5-10 minutes
- Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *
International -> Canada
After exiting the aircraft, follow the "Arrivals" signs which will take you to Canadian immigration.
Usually expect lines between 10 and 30 minutes.
Continue through the transit corridor to the security checkpoint, after which you will take the escalator up to the departure gate.
- Average transfer time - 25-45 minutes
- Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *
International -> US
After exiting the aircraft, watch for the "Connecting Flights" and "E-gates" signs.
There is a US immigration checkpoint at Halifax Airport, so if you are connecting in Halifax for a flight to the US, you will not need to go through immigration once you arrive in the US.
When you change planes in Halifax, you only go through US immigration and not Canadian immigration.
Immigration control is followed by a traditional security check.
- Average transfer time -35-55minutes
- Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *
US -> International
When you get off the plane, watch for the "Connecting Flights" signs.
You will go through Canadian immigration and then security.
- Average transfer time - 35-45minutes
- Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *
Canada -> International
Upon exiting the aircraft, you will be straight into the departure gate area. You do not go through security or passport control.
- Average transfer time - 5-15 minutes
- Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *
Canada -> US
When you transfer, you will first go through security and then US immigration.
- Average transfer time - 35-45 minutes
- Baggage - will be transferred automatically, you do not need to collect your checked baggage *
US -> Canada
After exiting the aircraft, follow the "Arrivals" signs which will take you to Canadian immigration.
Usually expect lines between 10 and 30 minutes.
Continue through the transit corridor to the security checkpoint, after which you will take the escalator up to the departure gate.
- Average transfer time - 25-45minutes
- Baggage - must be collected
*This only applies if you have a guaranteed connection on one booking that does not exceed 12 hours. Always make sure at your point of departure that your baggage is actually sent to your final destination.
Do I need an eTA permit?
Even if you are only connecting from an international to an international flight, you must obtain an eTA to enter Canada. It can be conveniently processed online for a fee at 7 cad.
