My aunt and uncle have a couple of hours' stopover at Vancouver airport on their way home to Australia from Calgary on Friday evening. Hubs and I are planning to meet them at the airport since we live on different continents and rarely see each other. Any suggestions of where would be ok for a coffee and chat, maybe light meal? Also do we need to go through security?

They would have to come out of security. You cannot go through security unless you have a plane ticket.... if they only have a couple hours you better not plan on leaving the airport. They will then need to go back through security screening and then find their gate.

If it's 2-3 hours it might not be enough for them to meet you but anything longer there are lots of choices at the airport

http://m.fairmont.com/vancouver.../dining/jetside-bar/ The bar in the Fairmont is great!

Fairmont

They will need to come out of security. Meet you , then go back through security to their gate to get the flight. Security at YVR can be giant line ups.

They've got about 5 and a half hours. Will this be enough? We will have our daughter with us so probs won't spend more than an hour or so with them

That should be fine. They say to be 3 hours before hand for an international flight. Whenever I am there that early I end up waiting an hour and a half to two hours.

That will be plenty. I'd just stay at one of the places in the airport. There is a wine bar/pub right near the security entrance they will go through. The one they go through for Australia is generally quicker and easier than if they are travelling to the States where you have to pass Customs. Of course if their flight is via the States it's a different story. Just make sure they head to security 1.5-2 hours before their flight will be plenty:

I think 5.5 hours would be enough time for a coffee or light snack

5.5 hours would be enough time for a 5 course meal. The bags are already checked and it's not a really busy time of day to fly.

They will more than likely have to switch from domestic to international terminal regardless now that I think about it. If it's from Calgary to Vancouver then Vancouver to Australia.

Best to just eat at the airport- they'll have to come out of security to see you, and they should allow for at least 3 hrs to get back in through international security

Over 5 hours you will be fine! Enjoy the visit!

Great, thanks so much for all your replies! Any suggestions of where to meet them before security? Somewhere easy to find? The jetside bar looks great but will they allow a child in?

I think that's after security if I recall correctly. The only real places before are the fast food/ Tim hortons.

If you're just wanting coffee, there's a Starbucks before security on the international side.

White Spot upstairs in Departures

http://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers/shop-dine-and-services/248

there is also a milestones at the airport but not sure until what time it stays open

I think Milestones has closed - last time we were thru the area was under wraps with the promise of new things to come.

Oh good to know...thanks for posting

but starbucks is always a great choice or you could take the train to the river rock

White Spot domestic terminal

quiet, pirate pack, cheesecake and a coffee or lunch - really hardly ever crowded and never rushed

With a kid grab coffees and meet at the observation deck.

http://www.yvr.ca/.../community/public-observation-area

There is a sit down Chinese and Japanese restaurant on the international terminal.

They will have to come out of the secure area to meet you, because you can't go in without tickets - White Spot on level 3 (family friendly) before security would be my choice as other than fast food choices there is not much or the Fairmont restaurant (high end) Globe@YVR on level 4

The three hour hour thing is to allow time to check in for their international flight + all the rest. If they are already checked in and baggage placed on the transfer belt, then 2 hours should be plenty to get through security. They aren't going through the added US customs so 3 hours might be overkill

White spot in in the domestic termiinal. you can sit and have a bite to eat and chat

The Flying Beaver has great food and watching the Harbour Air float planes is fun. Its across from the South Terminal. It can be busy but you always seem to get seated shortly.

I'm with Nancy. The Flying Beaver Pub at the across from the south terminal is yet way to go. Call them and see if they will pick you up...otherwise there is a shuttle that leaves from International Arrivals ever 30 minutes on the the hour and half hour...I don't know the charge ..but ask the driver and tell him how to walk to the pub after he drops you off. Right on the water..amazing food and ambience...

If there is 5.5 hours, there is LOTS of time. You could easily go into Richmond, or the Flying Beaver (as above). Their bags will be checked and they will be checked in. As long as they are back to the security line an hour before their flight there will be no issues. However, if they are anxious travellers, just meet at the Fairmont Hotel restaurant. It is great, and the kids can watch the planes more around.

If the line in International is too long when they go, on my last trip I was advised to go through domestic security as they meet up in the back too. Always an option.

take the canada line to waterfront it will take 20 minutes take a quick walk thru gastown then eat at steamworks done and done!

dont spend the short time travelling! yvr is a beautiful airport . lots of nice places to have a meal or coffee!

Flying beaver and bring them something Canadian. Salmon? Maple cookies? Macarons?