Vancouver International Airport's Public Observation Area features interactive exhibits and unobstructed views of the airfield out to the Strait of Georgia. Located in the public, pre-security area of the Domestic Terminal and free for all visitors, the Observation Area allows the community to experience both the workings of an international airport and the beauty of Sea Island.
Art & Architecture
The 500 square-metre space features seating for more than 150 visitors.
Floating panels suspended from the ceiling are inspired by coastal cloud formations and draw visitors into the area to learn and explore.
Floor-to-ceiling windows measuring seven metres tall and 42 metres in length offer expansive, west-facing views of YVR's busy airfield.
Destination arrows identify the geographic location of some of YVR's domestic and international destinations.
Scale Model of Sea Island
Measuring approximately 1.5 metres by 2 metres, the scale model occupies centre stage in the Observation Area and offers a unique, bird's-eye perspective of YVR's island home.
Visitors can learn more about Sea Island's unique features by reading the information panels that surround the model and by pressing light switches that illuminate key points of interest on the model.
Information Panels & Telescopes
Seven information panels located along the windows feature facts, photos and diagrams about what might be seen on the airfield and landscape.
The panels answer commonly-asked questions about aviation and YVR operations, such as how does a plane take flight; what type of aircraft are seen at YVR; and what happens between an aircraft arriving and departing at YVR.
Each panel features aircraft silhouettes to help would-be plane-spotters identify different aircraft at YVR.
Eight complementary telescopes standing at two different heights along the windows ensure accessibility for everyone interested in taking a closer look at airfield activity.
Interactive Kiosks
Interactive touch-screen kiosks illustrate various aspects of the YVR story, including jobs at the airport and the past, present and future growth of YVR.
Visitors can also listen to Air Traffic Control communication, follow the journey of their luggage and see where in the world they can fly to directly from YVR.
BC Explorer
The BC Explorer provides a virtual fly-through of British Columbia using satellite mapping. Visitors can explore the province's terrain, rivers and oceans and touch down in different communities, where they can watch a short video about the area.
The BC Explorer is on loan to Vancouver Airport Authority from the Provincial Government.
OP3000 From United States of America, joined Jun 2009, 1678 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1702 times:
These type of public observation areas have become so rare that I'm surprised YVR would have that. I thought the only public observation area was a room at the on-site Fairmount.
Then again YVR has a lot more available real estate than others, and the powers-to-be (both the airport authority and the private consortium who run it) have invested much facility-wise on attracting service (mainly long-haul).
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From Canada, joined Jun 2005, 135 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jun 2009, 1678 posts, 
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