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Fantastic news for Canadian travellers: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance has officially opened at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
This means passengers can now clear U.S. immigration and customs before departure, arriving in the United States like domestic travellers.
March 10: Preclearance is Open at YTZ
As of March 10, 2026, Billy Bishop (YTZ) became the latest major Canadian airport with direct flights to the U.S. to open preclearance facilities. Notably, YTZ was the last of its kind, as all major Canadian airports with direct flights to the U.S. now have preclearance facilities.
U.S. CBP Preclearance lets you clear U.S. immigration and customs at a foreign airport before departure. When you land in the United States, you arrive as a domestic passenger and can go straight to baggage claim, the exit, or your connecting flight.
Air Canada & Porter Routes from YTZ
In related exciting news, Air Canada is launching U.S. departures from YTZ for the first time this spring, serving Chicago, Washington D.C., New York LaGuardia, and Boston.
Porter has operated transborder flights from YTZ since 2008 and flies 16x daily to 5 U.S. destinations: Boston, Chicago, New York/Newark, Washington, D.C., and a new service to Nashville beginning May 11. Porter is also transitioning away from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) as of September 1, 2026.
What to Expect
If you are flying direct to the United States from Billy Bishop, preclearance will work similarly to other Canadian airports.
You will clear customs in Toronto and then enter a secure area that separates U.S.-bound departures from domestic departures.
Compared to previous trips to the U.S. from Billy Bishop, be sure to arrive earlier to allow time for U.S. border control procedures.
Nexus lines will operate as usual with expedited screening for trusted travellers.
If you don’t have Nexus, download the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. It can reduce wait times by pre-filling your information. In my experience, MPC lines often move as quickly as Global Entry (Nexus). I’ve seen this at several U.S. airports.
The Lounge Situation
One of the downsides of Pre-clearance is that the lounge situation is getting worse for U.S.-bound travellers.
Billy Bishop, as a tiny airport in downtown Toronto, only has the one lounge: the Aspire Air Canada Café. It’s actually a great little lounge with good seating and food options. It is easily accessible by Air Canada elite members, Priority Pass/Dragon Pass holders, or a $50-$55 paid entry (depending on if you book online or buy on the spot).
Aspire Air Canada Café at YTZ
However, U.S. departures are segregated in a separate area, so you won’t have access to the Aspire Air Canada Café. This is unfortunately common with preclearance, and I deal with it consistently at my home airport, Ottawa, where the only transborder lounge is Air Canada. Since I’m often flying Porter these days, there’s no lounge access.
Takeaway
The U.S. Customs and Border Control Preclearance facility is now open at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), meaning you will now clear U.S. customs before your flight takes off, making it smoother and easier to either exit the airport immediately or head to your next gate for your connecting flight.
There are downsides, however. If you’re flying transborder from Billy Bishop, you won’t have access to the lounge. U.S.-bound flights will now depart from a separate area due to having preclearance, so you can’t access the Aspire Air Canada Café.
