Canadian Museum of Flight

The Canadian Museum of Flight is an aviation facility in Langley that displays over 150 aircraft models and flying artifacts, including six fully restored machines still capable of flight. The complex features exhibition halls with detailed displays that document the evolution of Canadian aviation across multiple eras.

The museum was founded in 1977 in Surrey and relocated to Langley Regional Airport in 1996 to better house its growing collection of Canadian aircraft. This move enabled a more complete presentation of aviation history and access to active flight operations on the grounds.

The place honors how British Columbia became a key hub for training military pilots during World War II, when airfields across the region served as vital learning centers. This legacy shapes what you see displayed here, connecting visitors to a formative chapter in Canadian aviation.

The facility sits on an active airport, so visitors are near real flight operations and can sometimes watch planes taking off and landing. It makes sense to visit during clear weather, as flying activities and aerial demonstrations depend on good conditions.

The collection includes one of the last surviving Handley Page Hampden bombers, discovered in 1985 after decades of abandonment and brought to the facility. This aircraft once flew coastal patrol missions during the war before disappearing from view for many years.