Nanaimo has more than one airport, but most travelers choose to fly into Nanaimo Airport (YCD).

It’s 13 kilometres from Vancouver Island Airport to downtown Nanaimo. Make things easy by researching the quickest way of commuting from the airport to the city center before you arrive.

With so many airports in one place, travelers have lots of options when booking a flight to Nanaimo. If you touchdown at YVR, you’ll find yourself 56 kilometres from the downtown area. There’s also YYJ (72 kilometres away) and YCD (13 kilometres away).

Nanaimo is serviced by 37 airlines from at least 89 airports around the world.

Nanaimo receives most of its flights from WestJet, Air Canada and Lynx Air with WestJet being the number one choice of carrier. Old Town Airdrie is the most popular city for passengers to jet off from.

With roughly 2,179 nonstop flights operating each week, you’ll be arriving in Nanaimo before you can ask, “Are we there yet?”

Travelers often depart from Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton airports when flying to Nanaimo.

If it’s Calgary you’re departing, you’ll be in the sky for around 1 hour and 46 minutes before you arrive in Nanaimo. Tarmac to tarmac from Vancouver typically takes 30 minutes and from Toronto, the flight time is 5 hours and 16 minutes.

Don’t leave locking in your flight to Nanaimo until the very last minute. That’s one move savvy travelers use to get the best prices. Booking well in advance means more choices and less expensive flights. Also, look around online and compare your options. If your destination has multiple airports, you may be able to nab an excellent deal by flying into one a little farther out. Last of all, another simple way to save a few dollars is be ready to book fast. If you find a good deal, don’t think twice — grab it while you can.

We’ve got the lowdown on how to make your flight an enjoyable experience. Follow our insider tips and you’ll be zooming through the airport and discovering Nanaimo in no time at all.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a great experience if you pack the right stuff. First things first, you’ll need basic toiletry items, such as lip balm and hand cream, a fresh change of clothes and something to read. Next, make room in your hand luggage for your mobile phone, a charger, any vital medications and maybe a neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, don’t forget to bring your passport, travel papers and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don’t have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The narrow aisles of your plane are no fashion runway. Layer up with comfy clothing and pack a cardigan as the temperature can drop inside the cabin. Closed-toed, flat shoes are also a wise idea.
• The condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation. Doing regular foot and leg exercises while seated helps to prevent this from happening. Wearing a pair of compression socks is also a wise idea.

It’s all about being organized. We’ve put together some useful tips for a hassle-free trip through security. Watch out Nanaimo, here you come:

• Be sure to have your boarding pass and passport within close reach. They’re the first things you’ll be asked to show at airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• For just a few moments, you’ll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices will need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There’s a possibility that you’ll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Airlines won’t allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.