Harbour Air

My sister, brother, and I decided to treat my parents and aunt for their birthdays to the Fly ‘n Dine package because we thought it would be a really fun and beautiful experience. Don’t get me wrong, the view of Vancouver was absolutely stunning. Photos do not do justice for what we saw. I would honestly give the flight itself a ⁵⁄₅. For those who do not know, the Fly ‘n Dine experience starts off with a lovely 20 minute aerial tour of Vancouver and the islands, and ends off with a dinner at the Boathouse in Horseshoe Bay. To complete the night, your party will be driven back to Waterfront in a limo.
The service however, was abysmal. When we arrived, we were told that we would be separated to two different seaplanes (due to seating limits), which was fine by me. The pilot we went with barely gave us any instructions and didn’t even tell us to follow him to the plane while we waited in the check-​in area. When we boarded the plane, he muttered through the safety overview, which I thought was a very important part of the process. I found his overall demeanour to be very unprofessional and uncomfortable.
The dinner service was one of the worst parts of this experience. This package comes with a set menu (appetizer, entrée, dessert). Ontop of that, we ordered an appetizer platter to start. About 40 minutes into sitting down, our platter arrived, which was fine. The food was mediocre. However, we waited over an hour for the next course (which was supposed to be our appetizers that come with the set menu) but instead, we received our entrees. My dad was visibility upset with this. Because of this delay, our poor limo driver had to wait for us to get our food, since we were on a schedule. I noticed that other guests in the restaurant were looking around because they didn’t receive their food either (the restaurant was relatively empty, so it didn’t look too busy). The dessert was pretty terrible. I ordered a cake that was a giant crystallized mass (which tasted like freezer burn).
We paid almost $ 2000 for this package, and I did not think it was worth it for the mediocre food and terrible service. The only worthwhile part of this trip was the flight above the city. However, I do not think I will be flying with Harbour Air again.

You kidding me?
They called to tell me a cancellation opened up a seat for me… I said I was coming and would be there 15 min before flight (they board 10 min before and remember, it’s a seaplane, no security and all that). I arrived 12 min before flight and they had given away my seat! Even though they knew I was on my way AND it was not yet time to board. Why? «Policy.» «Got to leave on time.» Going to Salt Spring Island and they think they’re United Airlines…
So my 80 year old father is waiting for me on the dock in Ganges. I couldn’t reach him in time.
Btw Sea Air calls to see if you coming if you a bit late (which I was not). So, please go Sea Air or Salt Spring air, especially if the distinction between people and business makes any difference to you.

Great personnel and Mike the pilot was great. What a great airline this is. Free coffee and snacks and a wonderful Fly and Dine. Highly recommended.

Quick check ins, good flight, complimentary coffee and newspapers. The departure lounges are reasonably clean. Beware not to accidentally try to check in with Whistler Air or West Coast Air or you’ll get an attitude from the man working that desk.

Worst customer service I have ever received. Better to go with helijet or take the ferry.

Absolutely Love Harbour Air… They have the very best service, the people are absolutely fantastic, smiling and truly wonderful to see. The flights are always amazingly beautiful, fast and effective. Thank you Harbour Air as flying with you always makes me smile!!!

Love this boat plane experience, up to 20 trips soon. And to add to Jhall 33 G comment its as good seeing the mainland this way too. (islander resident)

I want to update my review following the excellent follow up I received from Harbour Air following my initial review. I received an email from Alicia, who manages the customer-​facing teams, to follow up and to let me know that the matter would be handled. She not only apologized for the behaviour but told me to let her know the next time I am flying so she can confirm me personally on the flight. Fantastic and speedy follow up, and much more reflective of the standard of experience I have come to expect from the folks at Harbour Air.

Great customer service and experience to see Vancouver island

i recently booked the «mail run tour» out of vancouver for my 10-​year old and myself, and we had a great time! our pilot even let my son sit in the front of the plane for the return trip to vancouver. i think he wants to be a pilot, now.
everything was easy to book and setup over the phone. the website was a little difficult to use, since the available tours for the day i wanted to book were not viewable, but give an agent a call. ours was super informative and helped me get the most bang for my buck.
i highly recommend harbour air sea plane tours for anyone visiting vancouver. i can’t wait to take the rest of my family on a tour on our next visit to vancouver.

I’ve had the pleasure of using Harbour Air in many occasions. They just make it so easy. I always feel like my safety is their number one priority. The staff is super friendly. On one of my rides they sat me in the cockpit. I was like a kid sitting up there watching everything the pilot was doing enjoying the amazing view.
If you think take off is exciting wait until you land in the water. I had visions of an Indiana Jones movie except I wasn’t being chased by crazy Germans.
Harbour Air is the only way to commute to the island.

Found it to be a much better way to travel to the Island than the slow ferry, it takes only 20 min. to Nanaimo, try it out. They have great service, reliable and fast.

Don’t use these sea planes! I don’t want them to get crowded and ruin everything.
The «airports» for these planes are comfortable with a spectacular view, the coffee and scones are free, and the staff go out of their way to help you.
Yes, don’t go. I want to return and have everything be just as impressive!

⁵⁰⁄₁₀₀
What a beautiful day for my first seaplane trip to the Island. Metrotown — Waterfront Station — Nanaimo — Downtown — Metrotown = 4.5 hours. SWEET!!!
Free hot beverages on check in. Best views in Canada. Gorgeous towering Coal Harbour condos. Canada Place, the seawall, Lionsgate bridge, Stanley Park. I found the check in agent to be quite efficient and attentive. The pilot asked if anyone needed a taxi when we arrived, I said «I do, please!» And one was waiting in Nanaimo… NICE.
Online ticket $ 150 return. Convience = Priceless. Yup, BC Ferries, forget you, I’m a seaplane girl now: P (And they have ear plugs on board in case you forget yours!)

Once and a while there are some perks to your job. One of these perks is being able to use Harbour Air when having to head over to Vancouver Island for work. This may be the more expensive option as opposed to the ferry but it is faster and just far more enjoyable! The flights to both Victoria and Nanaimo are very short but very scenic as you fly over the straight and over many of the Gulf Islands.
If you are really lucky you might be able to sit up with the pilot and put on the headset and chat with them when they are not chatting with the control towers. There is nothing better than the view from the co-​pilot seat in a float plane!
The planes might be noisy and the ride might be bumpy but hey it is a tiny little plane what can you expect? So the next time you need to head to the island think twice before taking the ferry. This might be the best way for you to travel. As an added bonus you can take the skytrain to waterfront and walk to the terminal as it is at the West Convention Centre!
#30DaysOfYelp ²⁵⁄₃₀

Took a last-​minute flight from Vancouver to Whistler, so I ended up paying top dollar. Still, I was one of the only people on the flight so it was almost like getting a private plane to the mountains! This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life; I’ve been wanting to ride in a DeHavilland since I was a kid, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations! Highly recommended!

Due to my laziness and lack of planning, I ended up hopping a flight from here to Victoria yesterday. While it is definitely more expensive than catching the ferry, the service is incredible. From the check-​in area in Coal Harbour to the waiting lounge with wifi, free coffee/​tea and muffins what more can you ask for? Heck, I don’t even get that service when I fly to Europe and have access to the lounges.
The flight experience was one of the best I’ve ever had. As the only passenger on the flight, I was able to sit in the cockpit, listen to the air traffic controllers and chat with the pilot. The views of the Olympic mountains, the water and YVR Airport were absolutely breath taking. I felt like a little kid all over again!
I probably won’t be doing this consistently, but I strongly recommend taking a flight to Victoria, Nanaimo or one of the islands.

My last review of Harbor Air, was strictly to do with actually flying somewhere.
This review is on the package express service.
I have used this service in the past, and loved it!
Package up what it is you send (service to and from Vancouver to Victoria & Nanaimo) Take it down to the Harbour (I do believe that they do offer door to door pick up & delivery — but I drop mine off, and have it picked up at the other end.
Other times, I went to the main terminal to ship, but it seems now, they have a specific area (a portable trailer) that you go to. Up the ramp, we opened the door. The space was small. Enough room for one Person at the counter, one person behind, and that’s about it.
It was hot inside, lucky I didn’t have to wait long. The clerk had zero personality.
However I was there to ship a package, not talk to a shrink about my problems.
This was the only reason they lost one star. No big deal !
Anyway — the process was quick — my name & phone #
The receivers name & phone #
Package weighed, (mine was fairly large and heavy, as it contained a large heavy hard covered coffee table book, and other ltems)
I was thrilled that it was only going to cost me 15.96 $ with tax!
It was going on the next flight, and would arrive same day — actually within an hour !
How can you beat that ??

I’ve been flying consistently with Harbour Air for about 6 months now for work. One of my favourite perks.
Always pleasant staff, flights on time, fast check-​in and boarding, free cappuccino from the Coal Harbour terminal… also float planes are just super cool.
But as of today, my favourite terminal is Comox. Both Andrew and Brian are peaches. Andrew gave me a ride to my hotel in Courtney no charge and Brian… well simply put a really nice approachable guy. After about 2 minutes we were talking about work, love, life and philosophy. Love it. They both really epitomize small town charm and hospitality. Could not have been a more pleasant experience. It also didn’t hurt that both pilots were HAWT!
Holler!

I still enjoy the flights but was frustrated by Harbour Air’s inability to articulate a policy on whether or not someone in a manual wheelchair could fly on their seaplanes. Best we could get was a No, but it wasn’t very consistent. We ended up on Saltspring Air instead as a result.
In the end — and only when I asked the question on Facebook — did we get an answer. Though, as you can see below, it still took some prying to figure out exactly what their policy was:
– Me: «So Harbour Air has the largest planes in the local business and your luggage hatches could totally fit regular wheelchair chairs, yet you seem to be the only floatplane company that WON’T allow wheelchair users to fly at all. Can you explain why or clarify your policy please?»
– Harbour Air Seaplanes: «Thanks for asking Tod. We take many measures to provide extra service to our passengers with disabilities. Due to the unique nature of seaplane travel, we ask that our passengers who have questions about the extra help that they may require, to please give us a call to discuss the best possible travel options for them. This service is headed up by our Safety Department who can be reached at 604.233.3541.»
– Me: «Um okay, but you didn’t quite answer the question. Can you clarify what your policy is? Do you or do you not provide service for passengers in regular (i.e., not motorized) wheelchairs?»
– Harbour Air Seaplanes: «Hi Tod. Yes we will accept passengers with wheelchairs, however, we do require that all persons traveling are ambulatory. We define ambulatory as being able to enter and exit the aircraft without assistance. I hope this answers your question.»