Porter Airlines offers upscale amenities and a refreshing approach to customer service. It's amazing to fly an airline where everything they claim when selling you a ticket is actually true.
Porter Airline's goal is to be North America's premium short-haul carrier. I've flown with Porter four times now, and would say the airline is already overachieving.
Porter Airline's goal is to be North America's premium short-haul carrier. I've flown with Porter four times now, and would say the airline is already overachieving.
1. Porter Airlines - An Overview
Porter Airlines is a short-haul airline based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Currently Porter flies to six destinations in central/eastern Canada, including its Toronto hub, and two U.S. cities.
Porter Airlines has a refreshingly "old school" way of doing business, that is, to treat its passengers with respect and courtesy and offer them more than what they've come to expect.
Currently Porter flies to six destinations in central/eastern Canada, including its Toronto hub, and two U.S. cities.
Porter Airlines has a refreshingly "old school" way of doing business, that is, to treat its passengers with respect and courtesy and offer them more than what they've come to expect.
2. Where Exactly Does Porter Fly?
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As of 2008, Porter Airlines operates out of the following cities:
- Canada
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Montreal
- Mont-Tremblant
- Quebec City
- Halifax United States
- Chicago (Midway)
- New York City (Newark)
3. What Makes Porter Airlines So Great?
Especially when compared to the customer service of other airlines, Porter's is refreshing and downright civilized. Examples?- Recommended check-in time is merely 30 min for domestic flights and an hour for international.
- Free WiFi, cappuccino, snacks, soft drinks, papers in comfortable waiting lounge - better than perusing tacky gift shops any day.
- Complimentary wine / beer and snack box (when flying during meal hour) on all flights (served in real glass no less!)
- Customer service that makes you feel like someone is listening. When I checked in as part of a group of six, the staff made sure that our group could all sit together, even though we were arriving separately. Porter staff have the time to give special attention to each passenger.
4. Is it Expensive to Fly Porter Airlines?
Porter is comparable in price to other airlines. Pricing is more consistent and the fare structure more transparent. Ticket prices depend on whether you buy a Freedom (most expensive), Flexible or Firm ticket (least expensive). Freedom offers the best options as far as cancellations, flight changes, seat selection and VIPorter loyalty points; Firm fare tickets offer the least opportunity for changes.The last Porter flight I took was a special offer in June 2008; a return Toronto / Montreal firm ticket cost CAN$230, taxes in. This is about as cheap a Porter ticket you will find.
