Canada’s Porter Airlines has been undergoing quite the transformation in the past couple of years. Historically the airline was based at Toronto Billy Bishop Airport, and operated De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops to both domestic and transborder destinations.
Continue reading: Porter Airlines Embraer E195-E2 Fleet Increasing To 75+ Jets
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It’s a beautiful aircraft and I love the comfort of its seating. I also think Porter is a great airline.
But I wonder how they plan to utilize the expanded fleet against AC and WestJet.
The tail is wagging the dog. Porter can work beyond Billy Bishop but can Billy Bishop work without a "flagship" like Porter?
This news doesn't affect Billy Bishop. Porter's Dash-8 business will continue there and is unaffected by the E195 growth at Pearson.
Ben reports:
"Porter offers free snacks and alcoholic drinks to all passengers, which sure is a treat" but forgot to mention they are served in real glassware.
Yes it was a treat sipping Steam Whistle Beer out of a real glass on my last Porter flight:-)
Porter was supposed to be the N American launch customer for the C-Series/A220; they signed a LOI back in 2012. But it was subject to being allowed to use them at YTZ. When the government refused, the order lapsed. Then I think they ordered the Embraers instead to get back at the govt.
This is great for Porter. The E175 with its 2-2 cabin is more comfortable and feels more like a private jet than the 737 or A320. It seems like they’re doing the best they can given the government’s unwillingness to allow jets at Billy Bishop.
Westjet practically abandoned all East Coast flights and is now focusing on the West.
Porter is filling this void with its Embraers (mainly in Ottawa, Toronto and Halifax).
Today, it was also announced a joint venture between Porter and Air Transat. This will certainly strengthen Porter’s position in Montreal.
As mentioned in another post, Porter is fine until something goes wrong. Then forget it. Once they have your money all bets are off. Porter was a novelty at one point, but now they are just like Sunwing