Travel Advisories
 

Trail Shuttle Service

Pacific Coastal Airlines will arrange ground transportation for passengers between Trail Airport and Penticton Airport as a contingency plan when inclement weather conditions are forecasted in the Trail area. Although we strive to always offer consistent flight service to the West Kootenays, we want to ensure that a reliable backup option is available to passengers in the region. Please note that the Trail Shuttle Service is only offered Sunday to Friday inclusive. Saturday service is not offered. The only exception is that Trail Shuttle Service will be offered on Saturdays including December 20 & 27, 2025, and January 3, 2026, to support increased travel demand during the winter holidays.

How does the Trail Shuttle work?

During the winter months, between October 1 and March 31, our operational team will assess the forecasted weather each morning. Should inclement weather conditions be forecasted in the Trail area our operations team will proactively determine it to be a “Trail Shuttle Day” and establish an option for passengers to travel via flight service between Vancouver Airport and Penticton Airport, and ground shuttle service between Penticton Airport and Trail Airport.  

If a Trail Shuttle Day has been determined, passengers will begin to receive notification via phone and email updates around 09:30 advising of optional reaccommodation options. Estimated timeline for passenger transportation will be as follows:  

Passengers Departing from Trail Airport

Passengers originating from Trail will be required to be present at the Trail Airport by 11:15 as the Trail Shuttle will depart at 12:00. The estimated arrival time of the shuttle at the Penticton Airport is 16:30 where passengers will board a flight to Vancouver. 

Passengers Departing from Vancouver Airport

Passengers originating from Vancouver, or an earlier connecting point (i.e. Victoria), will be accommodated on flights arriving at the Penticton Airport. The Trail Shuttle will depart from Penticton Airport at 17:00 and estimated arrival time of the shuttle at the Trail Airport is 21:30. The Trail Shuttle will offer customers the option to disembark at the Canadian Tire – Castlegar, BC (located at 2000 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, BC V1N 2W7) if they elect on the way back from Penticton to Trail.

Trail Shuttle Service FAQ

By approximately 09:00 the decision will have been made if it will be a “Trail Shuttle Day” and passengers will begin to receive notifications around 09:30 advising of reaccomodation options.
Yes. Passengers travelling as an Unaccompanied Minor (UM), who utilize a wheelchair and are unable to independently walk up stairs, or are travelling with a pet as checked baggage are unable to take the Trail Shuttle.
Yes. However, passengers travelling with a pet as checked baggage cannot take the Trail Shuttle.
In the rare event for passengers who have arrived in Penticton, after taking the shuttle from Trail to Penticton, experience a flight cancellation they will be supported by our Customer Service team to be rebooked on flights departing from Penticton to Vancouver. To learn more about Air Passenger Protection Regulations and the types of travel disruption please click here.
No. Only passengers holding a confirmed and ticketed reservation with Pacific Coastal Airlines are eligible to take the Trail Shuttle.
During inclement weather conditions between October 1 and March 31 it is Pacific Coastal Airlines intention to provide passengers travelling to/from the West Kootenays with an alternative travel solution. As the Trail Shuttle service is provided by a third-party ground transportation partner, we cannot guarantee that the service will always be available to operate.
It is estimated to take 4.5 hours. Times can vary based on weather conditions enroute.
The Trail shuttle will be provided as an option for passengers between October 1 and March 31 annually. The service may also be offered on an ad hoc basis between April 1 and September 30.
No.
Prior to boarding the Trail Shuttle, only passengers who can be provided with a confirmed flight departing or arriving via Penticton Airport will be permitted to board the Trail Shuttle.
Some of the motor coaches may have a washroom onboard. It is recommended that all passengers use the washroom facilities located at Trail Airport and Penticton Airport prior to boarding the Trail Shuttle.
To provide reliable service during the winter months, our operations team will determine by 09:00 if it will be a “Trail Shuttle Day”. In this event we will proactively cancel our morning and afternoon Trail flight and plan to operate via Penticton Airport. In doing so passengers who are booked on the afternoon flight will be notified of the flight cancellation and have the option to check-in for the Trail Shuttle at the Trail Airport by 11:15 and depart from the Trail Airport on the Trail Shuttle at 12:00.
No.
Passengers will be notified starting at 09:30 that it is a Trail Shuttle Day by phone and email. It is important for passengers to ensure that they have provided a phone number (mobile phone preferred) and email address to be reached when booking flights with Pacific Coastal Airlines.
There is a possibility for passengers to be reaccommodated onto scheduled flights between Vancouver Airport and Penticton Airport, which operate as secured flights and passengers are required to go through security screening prior to boarding. As a result, we recommend passengers to always be prepared to go through airport security. Passengers can learn more about what they can bring through security on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s (CATSA) website here.
Yes. Please note that while travelling on the Trail Shuttle there is no option to secure a child seat for an infant to the motor coach. As a result the infant will have to be lap held for the duration of the Trail Shuttle service.