Porter Airlines might have started as a smaller, regional airline, but it’s expanding quickly and giving bigger Canadian airlines a run for their money.
Known for elevating economy-class travel, Porter offers competitive fares and includes free perks like WiFi, snacks, and beverages (even beer and wine) – plus, you don’t have to be a member of a loyalty rewards program to access them.
Key Takeaways
- Porter Airlines operates flight across Canada and to the U.S.
- VIPorter is Porters loyalty program, which offers points towards free flights and benefits for frequent flyers.
- Porter's in-flight service includes free WiFi, beer, wine, and premium snacks.
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Our opinion: Is Porter Airlines good?
Porter might have started as a regional darling but it’s swiftly becoming a big name for a better economy travel experience. Wings, an aviation magazine, notes that Porter is one of the biggest challengers to Air Canada and is forcing the airline giant to up its game.
If you have the opportunity to fly Porter, we’d recommend it. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
What is Porter Airlines?
Porter Airlines launched in 2006 as a regional airline based out of Toronto's downtown airport, Billy Bishop. Initially starting out with a handful of Dash 8-400 turboprop airplanes with service to Ottawa, it's grown rapidly and now flies an extensive network from Victoria to St. John's, with service to a handful of major U.S. cities.
But that's not all. Porter also has an expanding fleet of jet aircraft based out of Toronto-Pearson Airport. They're now flying across the country and to select destinations in the U.S.
Where Porter flies
Here's Porter’s route map, which shows current and upcoming destinations as of October 2024.
Now, depending on where you're departing, you won't be able to access all of these destinations. Porter has 2 Toronto bases: Pearson and Billy Bishop, the latter of which is located downtown.
The smaller Dash 8 aircraft fly from the downtown airport while the larger Embraer airplanes fly in and out of Pearson.
- Dash 8-400 turboprops: Porter’s Dash 8-400 turboprops call Billy Bishop home, though they have secondary bases in Ottawa and Halifax. These aircraft are flown from Thunder Bay to St. John's. Most flights start or end in Toronto-Billy Bishop or Ottawa, though Porter does operate flights from other cities.
- Embraer E195-E2: These aircraft are based at Toronto-Pearson and as of 2023, Porter had 50 confirmed Embraers purchased for its fleet. They primarily fly between Toronto and large Canadian cities, with a few flights also going through Ottawa and Montreal. The route network continues to expand as they receive more planes.
Here’s what Porter has planned for the future:
Porter codeshare partners
Porter currently has codeshare agreements with Air Transat and numerous international airlines. Here’s the full list:
- Air Transat
- Alaska Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue
- AeroMexico
- Azores Airlines (SATA)
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Fiji Airways
- Icelandair
- Qatar Airways
Porter fare classes
While Air Canada and WestJet have dominated Canadian air travel for quite a while, Porter stands out thanks to its service.
Porter has 6 fare classes, which are divided into 2 segments: PorterClassic and Porter Reserve.
Here’s what you can expect from PorterClassic fares.
Onboard service
| Basic | Standard | Flexible | Freedom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium snacks, beer, wine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Premium liquor | 💲 | 💲 | 💲 | 💲 |
| Wi-Fi* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| In-flight entertainment* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fresh meals* | 💲 | 💲 | 💲 | 💲 |
* Not available on all aircraft
Baggage and boarding
| Basic | Standard | Flexible | Freedom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Standard carry-on baggage** | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complimentary checked baggage | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Electronic boarding pass** | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
** Included on flights to/from Europe and Africa
Seat selection
| Basic | Standard | Flexible | Freedom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PorterClassic seat | 💲 | 💲 | ✓ | ✓ |
| PorterClassic Stretch seat (E195-E2) | 💲 | 💲 | 💲 | ✓ |
Refunds, changes, and cancellations
| Basic | Standard | Flexible | Freedom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refundable within 24 hours of booking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Refundable up to 1 hour before departure | No credit or refund | Credit only, no refund | Credit only, no refund | Credit or full refund |
| Flight changes or cancellations | ✕ | 💲 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Same-day changes on day of departure (Porter-operated flights only) | ✕ | 💲 | 💲 | ✓ |
| Same-day change to earlier flight between Toronto and Newark - New York | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Same-day changes to earlier flight at the airport between Toronto and Montréal or Ottawa | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
What’s included with Porter?
Travellers love Porter thanks to its excellent level of onboard service. Here’s what you can enjoy:
- Premium snacks. Snack selection will change occasionally but they’re typically locally crafted and nutritious.
- Complimentary drinks. The usual selection of tea, coffee, water, juice, and soft drinks. Cold drinks are served in glassware.
- Complimentary wine and beer. A rotating selection of Canadian craft beers and wines at no cost.
- Free Wi-Fi. Offered on flights aboard Porter’s Embraer jets and includes streaming capabilities, a selection of Hollywood movies and TV shows, and power outlets at every seat.
On flights over 2.5 hours, fresh meals may be available for purchase. Meals are complimentary for guests on PorterReserve fares.
And one more bonus: Porter does not have middle seats. With 2-2 configuration on their aircraft, every seat is a window or aisle.
VIPorter
Porter operates its own loyalty program, VIPorter Rewards, that allows you to earn points on airfares and get perks like seat selection and baggage.
You'll start out earning 5 points per $1 spent on Porter purchases, which increases to 7 points per $1 when you reach VIPorter First status. Here’s an overview of the 5 tiers of VIPorter membership:
VIPorter points allow you to fly free on Porter. You can redeem enough points to cover the entire airfare or redeem a portion of your points and pay for the rest of the fare by card. You’ll always need to pay for the taxes and fees.
To redeem points, log in to your VIPorter account or book through the Porter Call Centre.
Remember: To keep your account active, you need to fly once every 24 months.
Best credit cards to earn VIPorter points
The wait is over to get a Porter co-branded credit card! Porter launched 2 credit cards with BMO, both of which earn VIPorter points on spending and come with exclusive perks, like automatic elite status. In fact, they’re the only credit cards in Canada that give you immediate frequent flyer benefits in an airline’s loyalty program.
| Credit card | Current offer | Earn rates | Annual fee, income requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO VIPorter Mastercard |  $100 GeniusCash + Up to 40,000 bonus points, 35% flight discount, first year free (terms) | * 2 points per $1 spent on Porter * 1 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels * 0.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $89 * None |
| BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard | $150 GeniusCash + Up to 70,000 bonus points, companion pass, first year free (terms) | * 3 points per $1 spent on Porter * 2 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * $199 * $80K personal or $150K household |
BMO VIPorter Mastercard
GC: $100
Rewards:
- 2 points per $1 spent on Porter
- 1 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels
- 0.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
The BMO VIPorter Mastercard earns 2 points per $1 with Porter and 1 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, and restaurants. Unfortunately, it has a rather low base earn rate of 0.5 points per $1 on all other purchases.
While you can only redeem your points for flights, the card might be worth it just for the automatic VIPorter Passport status and annual flight discount. The welcome bonus of up to 40,000 points isn’t bad, either. Plus, the card has a low annual fee that’s waived for the first year, so you can give it a test run.
Pros:
- Up to 40,000 bonus points
- Automatic VIPorter Passport Avid Traveller status
- Includes 9 types of insurance
- Annual 35% flight discount (minimum spend required)
Cons:
- Low base earn rate of 0.5 points per $1 spent
- Points can only be used for flights on Porter, Air Transat, and Alaska Airlines
BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard
GC: $150
Rewards:
- 3 points per $1 spent on Porter
- 2 point per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, restaurants, and hotels
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
If you don’t mind paying slightly more for a credit card that delivers more rewards, check out the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard. You’ll earn 3 points per $1 spent on Porter purchases and 2 points per $1 spent on gas, transit, groceries, and restaurants. Everything else will earn you 1 point per $1.
This premium card will get you World Elite Mastercard benefits, including a Mastercard Travel Pass membership (no free passes), concierge services, Priceless Cities experiences, and everyday discounts. You’ll also get automatic VIPorter Venture status and an even bigger welcome bonus and insurance package than what comes with the basic Porter card.
Pros:
- Up to 70,000 bonus points
- Up to 3 points per $1 spent on purchases
- Automatic VIPorter Venture Avid Traveller status
- Includes 11 types of insurance
- Annual companion pass (with minimum spend)
Cons:
- High income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
- Points can only be used for flights on Porter, Air Transat, and Alaska Airlines
- High annual fee of $199
FAQ
Why do people like Porter Airlines?
Travellers appreciate many of the free perks that are included in Porter fares, like complimentary drinks, alcohol, snacks, and Wi-Fi. Plus, Porter’s prices are competitive with some of the larger Canadian airlines and their route network continues to expand.
Is Porter a low-cost airline?
Porter Airlines was one of the first low-cost airlines in Canada and many travellers know Porter for its competitive prices.
Do Porter flights get cancelled?
As per Porter’s website and standard practice in the industry, flights may be cancelled due to inclement weather. The aviation analytics firm Cirium reports that Porter flights have a 3.8% cancellation rate (compared to Air Canada’s 6.4% cancellation rate).
Is Porter owned by Air Canada?
No, Porter is not owned by Air Canada. Porter Aviation Holdings owns Porter Airlines and is controlled by the Deluce aviation family.
Does Porter Airlines allow a free carry-on?
Porter Basic fares only allow a personal item for free, though all other fares permit you to bring a personal item and a standard carry-on bag.
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