Canada’s Porter Airlines is about to undergo a major transformation. The airline has historically exclusively flown De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops out of Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), but will soon start taking delivery of Embraer E195-E2s, which the airline will use to expand across Canada.
Continue reading: Porter Reveals New Premium Class, Free Wi-Fi, And More
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Most Canadian who fly Porter become fanboys. I'm not (I don't like Porter) but i'm an outlier. They may have a shot here. But I wouldn't bet on it. Some have questioned the company's financials. One wonders whether they have deep enough pockets to get the whole newly-indebted enterprise to the next level. Their competitor is the most vicious corporate entity in Canada so even I might root for them.
No, after all these years. It's hard to imagine them being admitted to an alliance with no Business Class, limited routes. Perhaps it's their goal. It'd be great if they joined OneWorld and Canada would have a second allied airline.
States guy who’s a dedicated Delta flyer. I honestly am impressed with what Porter is going to be offering. This is VERY much right smack dab in the middle of the legacy model vs low-cost, and WELL ABOVE the ULL. It gives exclusivity at a (presumed) reasonable price that is as inclusive to everyone’s budget as possible. I really do hope they make it fully work! This is honestly something that the likes of Southwest could potentially model after, assuming it’s successful. It could help the likes of Southwest take their products to the “next level” an d attract those business travellers, which they have been trying to attract since the pandemic started.
Seems like the real differentiator is Toronto City airport. Without that they will struggle
I wonder how many more 'cancelled' flights there will be when Porter decides that a flight isn't full enough, and to just call it a maintenance issue so that they are off the hook with regards to payouts.
This is essentially the business model that Midwest Express (based in MKE) used to have. They flew DC-9's with 2x2 seating throughout the cabin and hot meals.
It is ironic for their "PorterClassic" seats to have 30" pitch because that tightness is relatively new for them. When they started in 2006, their Q400s had 70 seats with 34" pitch. Then in 2013 they added a row, so 74 seats and 32" pitch. In 2021 after their Covid shutdown, they added another row (78 seats with 30" pitch) with new, incredibly uncomfortable seats.
I'm surprised there has been no comment about the lack of connection between the shorter flights out of Toronto City and longer ones out of Pearson. It seems to me a significant market could be Sault Ste Marie to Toronto to Vancouver if there was the ability to connect.
I believe that since they are building new maintenance hangars for the E195s in YOW (Ottawa), YOW may become a connection hub between the YTZ Dash 8 flights and the E195 flights.
Remember before 2013 they used to have free box meal at meal times too for every single pax ? Now you have to pay for it
It'll be great if they expand their routes to the west coast.. I'd love to fly it! E195-32 will be able to fly transcontinental.
Porter currently has interlines with FSCs to/from YTZ, and feeder services expanded to the other regions will help them fill more seats.
The jets will be flying out of Pearson not Toronto Island airport as only turboprops allowed there and no runway length expansion being considered.
I like Porter Airlines when flying to Nova Scotia from Toronto. It will be interesting to see how the crossover to Jet Aircraft works out. I like Porter’s approach to service. I hope they do well in a crowded market.
I fly Porter regularly from the states because I HATE Pearson. I hope Porter doesn’t abandon Billy Bishop. Short lines, downtown location, quick trip through customs, low airport fees - all big pluses.