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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 almost the last of its kind, as nearly all major Canadian airports with direct flights to the U.S. now have preclearance facilities. Victoria might be the only exception now.
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
The short version is lounge access remains the same for U.S.-bound travellers.
Billy Bishop, as a tiny airport in downtown Toronto, only has one good 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. You’ll still have access to the same transborder lounge, which is rather uninspiring.
This is unfortunately common with preclearance, and I deal with it consistently at my home airport, Ottawa, where there is no transborder lounge. I’m usually flying Porter these days, but it’d be the same lounge situation on Air Canada.
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 Aspire Air Canada Café. U.S.-bound flights depart from a separate area due to having preclearance, so there’s only a passable transborder lounge.
