Destinations Around The Globe – Montreal: A Vibrant Hub of Culture and Connectivity
Montreal, a vibrant cultural hub nestled in the province of Quebec, is your gateway to Eastern Canada. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, the city offers a rich blend of history, modernity, and French charm. Conveniently serviced by the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (CYUL), Montreal International Mirabel Airport (CYMX) and the St-Hubert Airport (CYHU) your travel experience is highly customizable and adaptable to your needs.
A Brief History of Montreal Airports
The Dorval Airport — now named Montreal-Trudeau Airport — opened to the skies in 1941 as a new airport to answer the continuously increasing city needs that St-Hubert Airport couldn’t serve anymore. This was originally a wartime military airfield that opened to civil flights soon after. During WW2, thousands of allied aircraft passed through the airport to reach England. The airport was an important hub for expanding worldwide air travel since the post-war years and, in the 1950s to 1960s, it became one of Canada’s busiest airports.
On the 15th of December 1960, the Minister of Transport inaugurated a new 30 million dollar terminal. At those times, this new terminal represented one of the biggest in the world, serving more than 2 million passengers per year. Despite having expanded the terminal, studies predicted that the airport would be completely saturated by 1985 with over 20 million passengers flying each year. To solve this, a new airport was built, the now known Montreal-Mirabel International Airport.
The plan dictated all international flights, except those to/from the United States, were to be transferred to Mirabel within 1975. With the advent of longer-range airplanes, the need to refuel in Montreal started to fade out, causing a significant economic fall for both airports, especially Mirabel, where the predicted traffic numbers were not reached, which made its capacity extra. This could have been solved by decommissioning Dorval, as initially planned, but public pressure preferred keeping Dorval in operation as it was closer to the city center. Meanwhile, airlines started operating from Toronto Pearson Airport where most of the international traffic was now placed. Only in 1997 did Dorval Airport manage to regain old traffic numbers, and in 2004, charter flights started to populate the airport as well. This led to a further increase in passenger traffic, finally making Montreal-Dorval Airport a solid hub for passengers.
In 2004, Dorval Airport was officially renamed Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in honor of the former Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Today, CYUL is a major hub for international and domestic flights, connecting travelers to Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
Facts and Technical Data – Montreal-Trudeau
- Airport Code: CYUL
- Full Name: Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
- Location: Dorval, Quebec, Canada
- Elevation: 118 feet (36 meters)
- Runways: 2 runways (06L/24R, 06R/24L), 3rd runway now decomissioned
- Length: Longest runway: 11,000 feet (3,353 meters)
- Destinations: Direct connections to major cities such as New York, Paris, London, Toronto, and Mexico City.
Montreal-Trudeau Airport is equipped to handle both commercial and private flights. With dedicated services for private aviation, CYUL ensures that private jet travelers enjoy a swift and luxurious experience, with specialized facilities designed for VIPs and business travelers such as the dedicated terminal.
Landing in Montreal
What to Visit
In Montreal, old World beauty meets modern innovation.
Designed by the Irish-American architect James O’Donnell, the basilica is renowned for its grand scale and intricately detailed interiors.
The basilica was founded within Old Montreal and constructed by James O’Donnell between 1824–29 in Gothic Revival fashion. The basilica has an incredible ceiling painted in blue with gold stars, beautiful wood carvings picture the story of Montreal and colored stained-glass windows.
The luxuriously gilded grand altarpiece and statues, the 7,000-pipe Casavant Frères organ are two of its most fabulous features. It was declared a National Historic Site in 1982, and the site of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s state funeral. for any Montreal trip.
Visitors can enjoy guided tours and the “AURA” light show, which brings the basilica’s beauty to life through music and lights, making it an essential stop for any Montreal trip.
Just steps away is the Old Port of Montreal, a historic waterfront area along the St. Lawrence River.
The Old Port also features excellent nearby attractions and vibrant spots to extend your enjoyment and make your visit memorable.
Near to the Old Port you can find both the Montreal Science Centre and the French eye-candy attraction, their very own Grande Roue de Montréal Ferris wheel.
For a deeper dive into Montreal’s multicultural history, visit Jean-Talon Market, located in the heart of the vibrant Little Italy district. This sprawling farmers market offers a taste of the city’s culinary diversity, from Quebec cheeses to freshly baked goods and international delicacies.
Also, don’t miss Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, a feat of modern architecture from the 1976 Olympics, and Parc Jean-Drapeau, home to the iconic Biosphere. Whether you’re exploring Montreal’s history, enjoying its green spaces, or taking in its contemporary art scene, the city provides a unique and enriching experience for all visitors.
If you’re planning a visit to this dynamic and culturally rich city, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport offers world-class amenities and direct access to the heart of Eastern Canada.
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