Given Portland's lack of direct international flights, I often do the PDX to SeaTac hop and then out of the country. Yesterday, flying back from Asia however I went through Vancouver (YVR) for the first time.
Wow, what a difference! I don't know about you, but I really dislike SeaTac for international. Although their international arrivals hall is gorgeous, it is a long demoralizing schlep to get to it ... and then it is typically so swamped with people, it involves a long wait time for those without global entry. Also, given SeaTac's serpentine design, getting to your connecting flight on time can be a challenge. I think one time I had to take 3 separate trains.
YVR was a snap, especially because you go through US customs
in Canada and then head to their secure US-only gates. That way when you land in PDX, you are already cleared and go right to the exit home. US customs at YVR was easy ... no trudging down endless walkways, no lines, no hassle, no problems.
YVR has a really long list of direct international flights.
https://www.flightsfrom.com/YVR
And if you are going to Asia or Europe, it is basically on the flight path, so not going out of your way. It probably means flying Air Canada, which isn't really a bad or good thing IMO.
Anyway, maybe everyone knew this already and I'm late to the game. Just thought I'd share because it was such a pleasant surprise and opens up so many direct flight options around the world.
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