Harbour Air was started in 1982 with just two pilots and two aircraft. Now, this local airline operates over forty aircraft with over two hundred flights daily. Harbour Air offers easy transport around British Columbia. They currently fly to fifteen destinations with another three new routes being launched this summer.
These new routes have been announced just in time as British Columbians begin to plan their summer adventures. Campbell River to Vancouver Harbour launches July 6, Ucluelet to Vancouver Harbour launches June 25, and Victoria Harbour to Seattle launches June 11.
Falling In Love With Flying
Once I took my first small plane flight, I fell in love. For one, the transport time is drastically less than the ferry. I also really love flying in smaller planes because I can see what the pilot is doing, which I find fascinating. Plus, you don’t fly at as a high an altitude as you do in a commercial plane, so you can see so much more on your flight. I keep my eyes peeled for whales, but all of British Columbia’s landscape looks every more stunning from the air. Sslands reveal themselves on the horizon in layers of blues, as you gaze down on forests of trees and shifting ocean tides. Then, landing in downtown Vancouver, the City of Glass, is an unforgettable experience.
Have no fear, flying by small plane isn’t scary. There’s no more turbulence than on a regular flight. My top-tip would be to wear noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs because the engine can be loud. And be sure to have your phone or camera in your hand.
Harbour Air is unique in that they offer not just small plane flights but float plane flights. Taking off and landing on the water has to be experienced. It’s impressive that the Harbour Air pilots are essentially also ship’s captains.
Many Destinations to Choose From
Of course, the view on the journey depends on the destination. While float plane tours of the city are available as well, opting to fly via a float plane to another destination in BC gets you the incredible view as well as quick and easy transport.
Harbour Air connects Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Nanaimo, Whistler, Tofino, and the Gulf Islands with convenient downtown-to-downtown service. Because Another Harbour Air utilizes a fleet of seaplanes, they can land you right smack in the centre of a city rather than at a commercial airport, which often tends to be outside of the downtown core.
No rental cars or long drives are required. Skip the winding Sea to Sky or Pacific Rim Highways and arrive right in Whistler or Tofino/Ucluelet. Plus, given the short flight times (some are as brief as 25 minutes), it is possible to make a day trip to a number of destinations around the province that would otherwise necessitate an overnight stay, such as going from Vancouver to Victoria.
Harbour Air History
Harbour Air’s first destination was Victoria back in 1996. Nanaimo followed in 1998. The unique nature of Harbour Air’s harbour-to-harbour transport necessitates particular planes.
Four different types of aircraft used by Harbour Air. The fleet primarily consists of a variety of Canadian built de Havilland Beaver, Single Otter and Twin Otter aircraft. De Havilland is a well-known name in Canadian aviation. It was originally founded in 1928 at a location which is now home to the Canadian Air and Space Museum in Toronto. Originally, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada was established as a subsidiary of de Havilland Aircraft (UK) to train Canadian airmen.
During the Second World War, DHC’s (De Havilland Canada) biggest contribution was the Mosquito, also known as the Wooden Wonder. Designed to use speed instead of defence, The Mosquito was one of the fastest aircraft in the war.
Following the Second World War, de Havilland began producing designs considered “indigenous” to Canada. This means that they produced aircraft specifically suited to Canada’s rugged landscape. This is why De Havilland planes are still being used by Harbour Air to this day.
In fact, in 1991, the DHC-3 DeHavilland Single Otter was designed and rebuilt to better suit Harbour Air use. In 2019, further aviation innovation was witnessed with the launch of the world’s first electric aircraft. Harbour Air completed the first successful eBeaver flight.
Small Plane, Quick Flight
Travel via Harbour Air is not exclusive to float planes. They now also offer travel in other aircraft. As of 2024, scheduled service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Victoria International Airport (YYJ) with wheeled aircraft began.
In another step closer towards the bigger airlines, Harbour Air also now offers Aeroplan point earning. However, the vibrant energy of the early 80s can still be felt at this local airline. Harbour Air makes big small; their small planes reduce great distances to quick trips, and they let passengers see stunning West Coast vistas while sitting just an arm’s length from the pilot in a plane that feels more like a car.
What’s that saying, it’s the journey, not the destination? Well, Harbour Air makes it a breathtaking and easy one.
