Overview
Gander, on the island of Newfoundland, is a small town with an outsized place in aviation history. It's home to Gander International Airport (YQX), the transatlantic refuelling stop that became world-famous as the setting for the musical Come From Away after 38 flights were diverted here on 11 September 2001. Today it's a friendly gateway to central Newfoundland's forests, lakes and coastline, and an increasingly popular pick for UK travellers keen to see the town behind the story for themselves.
Best time to fly to Gander
June to September brings Gander's mildest weather, with highs around 18-22°C and long daylight hours, perfect for lake trips and hiking. September into early October offers crisp air and autumn colour with fewer visitors around. Winters are cold, snowy and dark, so pack accordingly if you travel outside summer. For value, shoulder months such as May and late September to October often bring better fares - check the When to book chart above for current pricing trends.
Airlines and routes
There's no nonstop scheduled service between the UK and Gander, so you'll connect via a major Canadian gateway. The usual routing is a transatlantic flight from London or another UK airport to Toronto or Halifax with Air Canada or WestJet, followed by a short domestic hop into Gander operated by Air Canada Express or PAL Airlines. Total journey time is typically 10-13 hours door-to-door including the connection, with the transatlantic leg itself around 7-8 hours; Halifax usually offers the shortest onward hop.
Things to do in Gander
Despite its small size, Gander punches above its weight for visitors interested in its remarkable story and Newfoundland's great outdoors:
- North Atlantic Aviation Museum: Charts Gander's history as a wartime and transatlantic refuelling hub, plus its extraordinary role on 9/11.
- Silent Witness Memorial: A moving memorial to the 1985 Arrow Air crash, an important and often visited local landmark.
- Gander Lake: A large, scenic lake right on the town's doorstep, popular for fishing, boating and lakeside walks.
- Gander River: One of Newfoundland's best-known salmon rivers, ideal for canoeing and fly fishing.
- Terra Nova National Park: Newfoundland's oldest national park, around 30 minutes away, with hiking trails, kayaking and wildlife spotting.
At Gander International Airport (YQX)
Gander International Airport sits right on the edge of town. Its compact, mid-century terminal - familiar from the murals and furniture recreated in Come From Away - is only around 5-10 minutes' drive from central Gander. Taxis meet arriving flights, and car hire desks are available in the terminal; with limited public transport in the region, picking up a hire car is the easiest way to explore Gander and nearby Terra Nova National Park.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Gander
- Book the transatlantic leg three to four months ahead where possible - fares to Canadian gateways like Toronto and Halifax tend to rise closer to departure.
- Fly midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday) rather than Friday to Sunday, when both transatlantic and connecting fares are usually higher.
- Stay flexible on your connecting hub - comparing routings via Toronto, Halifax and St John's can uncover a cheaper overall fare to Gander.
- Compare Air Canada and WestJet for the transatlantic leg alongside the connecting carrier, and use the price charts on this page to see how fares move through the year.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders don't need a visa for short visits to Canada, but must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before flying - a quick, inexpensive online process. Canada's currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD); card payments are widely accepted, though it's worth carrying some cash for smaller shops in Gander. No specific vaccinations are required, and travel insurance is strongly recommended given Gander's rural location and limited local medical facilities.