VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
Historic aircraft, Snowbirds memories, RCAF artifacts and an active airport runway make this one of the Fraser Valley’s most fascinating attractions.
Early summer seemed like the perfect time for a day trip, so we left Abbotsford and headed west along Highway 1 toward Langley. By coincidence, our visit fell on D-Day, a fitting day to explore one of Canada’s finest aviation museums and reflect on the role aircraft played in some of history’s most important moments.
View our visit to Normandy Beaches and Overlord Museum
The Canadian Museum of Flight is located at Langley Regional Airport, approximately 15 minutes from Abbotsford and about 45 to 60 minutes from downtown Vancouver, depending on traffic. The museum can be found at Hangar #3, 5333 216 Street, Langley, British Columbia. Admission was $14 per adult, making it one of the most affordable aviation attractions in British Columbia.
After parking free of charge directly outside the museum entrance, we stepped inside and were welcomed by a small but well-stocked gift shop. Moments later we walked down a ramp and entered the outdoor aircraft display area.
The first aircraft that immediately caught our attention was a Snowbirds jet. Like many British Columbians, we’ve watched Canada’s famous Snowbirds perform countless times at the Abbotsford International Airshow. The Snowbirds are the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration team and have thrilled audiences across North America since 1971. Standing beside one of their aircraft brought back many memories of spectacular aerial displays over the Fraser Valley.
The outdoor collection includes several historic aircraft representing different eras of Canadian aviation. Visitors can walk among the aircraft, examine them up close and, in some cases, even peer into the cockpit. The ability to get so close to these machines makes the experience far more personal than many larger museums.
Entering the main hangar was an experience all by itself. The doorway is cleverly designed around an aircraft engine, setting the tone for what lies beyond. Inside, the space is absolutely packed with aviation history. Every corner contains something fascinating to discover. Vintage aircraft sit wingtip to wingtip, surrounded by aircraft engines, propellers, uniforms, flight instruments, photographs, medals, aviation artwork and memorabilia.
One of the highlights is the museum’s extensive collection of Royal Canadian Air Force artifacts. Historic uniforms, wartime equipment and displays help tell the story of Canadian aviation from the First World War through to the jet age. Detailed scale models, replica aircraft and restoration projects showcase the dedication of the volunteers who keep Canada’s aviation history alive.
There is hardly an inch of unused space in the hangar. Aircraft hang overhead, exhibits line the walls and display cases are filled with historic treasures. Aviation enthusiasts could easily spend several hours exploring every corner.
After touring the indoor exhibits, we made our way through the rear doors of the hangar to a viewing area overlooking the active runway at Langley Regional Airport. Unlike many museums, this one sits right in the middle of a working airport environment.
Langley Airport is home to flight schools, private aircraft and aviation businesses. During our visit we watched several training aircraft perform touch-and-go landings. Seeing these aircraft repeatedly take off, circle and land brought back many memories for my husband, who holds a private pilot’s licence. For aviation enthusiasts, it is an added bonus that transforms the museum from a static display into a living aviation experience.
Before leaving, we made one final stop in the gift shop and then began the drive back to Abbotsford.
- Military Aircraft
- Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck
- Canadair CT-114 Tutor
- de Havilland Vampire
- Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter
- Lockheed T-33
- Handley Page Hampden
- Westland Lysander
- North American Harvard Mk IIB
- Bristol Bolingbroke
- Civilian & Historic Aircraft
- Douglas DC-3
- Beechcraft Model 18
- Fleet Finch
- Fleet Canuck
- Waco AQC-6
- Waco INF
- Boeing-Stearman Model 75
- Conair Firecat
- Helicopters & Special Aircraft
- Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw
- Bensen B-8
- Replica Aircraft
- Sopwith Camel
- Sopwith Pup
- Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
- North American P-51 Mustang
The Canadian Museum of Flight is operated by dedicated volunteers and exists to preserve and showcase Canada’s rich aviation heritage. It offers a unique combination of history, education and hands-on exploration that appeals to visitors of all ages. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a history buff, a photographer or simply looking for an interesting day trip in the Fraser Valley, this museum is well worth the visit.
For more information, visit Canadian Museum of Flight
D-Day: Why It Matters
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the largest amphibious invasion in history along the beaches of Normandy, France. Known as D-Day, the operation involved more than 150,000 Allied troops supported by thousands of aircraft and ships. Canadian forces played a major role at Juno Beach, helping establish a foothold that would eventually lead to the liberation of Western Europe during the Second World War.
Visiting the Canadian Museum of Flight on D-Day carried even greater significance for us because earlier this year we were fortunate enough to stand on the actual beaches of Normandy where the Allied landings took place on June 6, 1944. During our travels through France, we visited both Juno Beach, where thousands of Canadian soldiers came ashore, and Omaha Beach, where American forces faced some of the fiercest resistance of the entire operation. Walking those beaches and seeing their vast expanse firsthand provided a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and determination of the young men who helped change the course of history.
Standing on the sand at Juno Beach, it is difficult to imagine the chaos that unfolded there more than 80 years ago. Today the beaches are peaceful and beautiful, yet they remain a place of remembrance for Canadians. The visit gave us a much deeper appreciation for the role aviation played during D-Day, from airborne troop drops and fighter escorts to reconnaissance missions and supply operations. Seeing historic aircraft and Royal Canadian Air Force exhibits at the Canadian Museum of Flight brought many of those memories flooding back and created a meaningful connection between the aircraft preserved in the museum and the historic events that unfolded on the beaches of Normandy.
The Role of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
The Royal Canadian Air Force was officially formed in 1924 and has served Canada for more than a century. During the Second World War, Canada trained thousands of Allied pilots through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, often called the “Aerodrome of Democracy.” Today, the RCAF operates modern aircraft ranging from search and rescue planes to fighter jets and is represented internationally by the famous Snowbirds aerobatic team.
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Other Day Trips in the Fraser Valley
- Historic Fort Langley
- Crescent Beach, White Rock
- Aviation Day Trip, Langley
- Tulip Fields (Seasonal)
- Winter Stroll around Cultus Lake
- Road Trip through Chilliwack Valley
- Coffee at Mill Lake, Abbotsford
- The Other Westminster Abbey
