Metro Vancouver's ultra-convenient seaplane carrier has announced a significant service expansion to kick off spring with flights starting as low as $59.
Harbour Air will commence more than 155 daily flights connecting 12 destinations on the West Coast starting May 1.
Travellers looking for an alternative to the ferry or a way to skip long road trips can find several affordable fares from the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre, located at Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver.
In 2024, the Richmond-based carrier launched new routes from Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre to cities across the province including Salt Spring Island, Patricia Bay/Victoria International Airport, Whistler, Comox and Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island.
The increased daily flights starting May 1 include:
- 155+ daily flights across 12 West Coast destinations
- 20 daily departures between Vancouver-Victoria
- 12 daily departures between Vancouver/Richmond-Nanaimo
- seven daily departures between Vancouver/Richmond-Salt Spring Island
- four daily departures between Richmond-Victoria
- four daily departures between Vancouver/Richmond-Powell River
- two daily departures between Vancouver-Seattle and Nanaimo-Sechelt
Three seasonal routes are also relaunching:
- Return of Victoria-Salt Spring Island seasonal route
- Return of Whistler, Tofino and Comox seasonal routes
- Return of Whistler Spectacular Glacier and Whistler Valley scenic tours
“As the busy spring and summer travel season approaches, Harbour Air is proud to be able to serve the travel needs of both locals and tourists alike through increasing our flight capacity and frequency at key times,” states Chris Fordyce, vice-president of commercial, Harbour Air.
Low-cost flights from Vancouver with Harbour Air in 2025
Travellers can take advantage of deals on one-way direct flights from Vancouver to various destinations for less than $100 as part of the airline's deal from now through March 31 or while seats last.
For example, a flight from Vancouver Harbour to Nanaimo Harbour on Wednesday, March 26 costs $59 for the lowest fare class (light). However, travellers should consider the rules for changes, cancellations and baggage weight allowance (see slide three).
Changes are not permitted on light fares and passengers won't get a refund for cancellations. Passengers may only bring bags weighing up to 10 pounds, otherwise, a $3 per pound fee may be applied. Also, it will travel on a space-available, standby basis.
For about $20 more on this route, a value fare ticket allows changes up to 72 hours before the flight for $50. Travellers may also cancel their ticket for $50 and receive a credit valid for 12 months. They may also change the flight up to one hour before the scheduled departure on the same day in the same class for $75. Within 72 hours of the flight, the ticket is not eligible for a refund.
Passengers with value tickets may also bring bags weighing an additional five pounds (15 pounds total).
Comfort tickets allow changes up to 24 hours before the flight for $25 and cancellations for credit. On the day of the flight, travellers can make changes or cancel their ticket for $50 up to one hour before the scheduled departure.
Passengers with comfort tickets are guaranteed bags up to 25 pounds.
Flex tickets allow travellers to make changes to their tickets without penalties. Changes up to 24 hours before the flight can be made to another day and ones up to an hour before take-off can be changed to another flight on the same day.
Flights can also be cancelled for a full refund to the original form of payment up to an hour before the scheduled departure. Cancellations made within an hour of the flight are nonrefundable.
Flex ticket holders are also guaranteed bags up to 25 pounds.
Other low-cost options from Vancouver Harbour include Salt Spring Island for $89 and Victoria Harbour for $99 (see slides four and five).
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