Is a 45 min layover in Montreal long enough?
A 45 minutes layover at YUL (Montreal) is tight — it may or may not be enough.
Is 45 minutes enough for a layover at Montreal International Dorval (YUL)?
45 minutes matches the domestic-domestic MCT but leaves zero buffer.
What is the minimum connection time at YUL?
Minimum connection times at Montreal International Dorval: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 90 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.
Can I make a 45 minutes connection at YUL on an international flight?
45 minutes is below the 90-minute international MCT at Montreal International Dorval. You may need to rush and could miss your connection. All piers connect via a single central terminal building, so there is no train or shuttle — everything is done on foot along connected concourses. Passengers arriving internationally who are connecting to a US-bound flight must exit the sterile zone, clear Canadian customs, then proceed to US preclearance and go through a full second security and immigration screening before re-entering the sterile area.
How much time do I need for a layover at YUL?
We recommend at least 1 hour 15 min for a comfortable connection at Montreal International Dorval. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 20 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 20 minutes).
What happens if I miss my connection at YUL?
Air Canada and most partner airlines have transfer desks near the international and transborder piers where staff can rebook missed connections; if you clear US preclearance and miss your flight, you'll need to work with airline staff on the US side since you're technically already through US immigration.