I booked Porter Airlines inaugural flight from Vancouver to Toronto

Porter Airlines has been making great strides from being a Canadian regional airline based out of Toronto’s Billy Bishop island airport (YTZ) to expanding its presence into Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and opening new opportunities for route expansion. The recent order of 50 new Embraer E195-E2 jets and the move to YYZ are important steps towards a larger route network. Thanks to the rollout of new routes and fares, I booked Porter Airlines inaugural flight from Vancouver to Toronto!

Porter Airlines inaugural flight: E195-E2 and $1 fares

 The Embraer E195-E2  is a next generation narrow-body twin engine aircraft  that offers increased efficiency, low emissions, and greater passenger capacity compared to its predecessors.Perhaps most importantly, the ability to fly non-stop to every city in North America.

Porter’s E195-E2 flight range

With the acquisition of the new jets, Porter airlines announced the following new routes from YYZ;

• Ottawa (YOW) Starting Feb 1, 2023
• Montreal (YUL) Starting Feb 1, 2023
• Vancouver (YVR) Starting Feb 7, 2023
• Edmonton (YEG) Starting Feb 14, 2023
• Calgary (YYC) Starting Feb 22, 2023

To celebrate the new routes Porter also announced an eye-popping $1 (+ fees and taxes) fares on the inaugural and return flights from each city, for the first 50 passengers per flight. The celebration further extends to a $150 voucher for all passengers on the inaugural flights. As per Porter Airlines;

Use the promo code: PDE24U

To book your $1 Flexible fare on the inaugural flight and the $1 return flights in PorterClassic you must enter the promo code provided. If you’d like to come back on a different day within 7 days of the inaugural flight, you can use the same promo code for a 50% discount on your return fare. Limited availability on this offer.

Porter Airlines inaugural flight – $1 fares

Booking inaugural flight – Vancouver to Toronto

Porter’s Embraer E195-E2 is an all economy 2-2 configuration cabin that will feature two service options, PorterClassic and PorterReserve;

PorterClassic will offer the refined economy service, including in-flight service of a complimentary beer/wine, snacks, free Wifi, and in-flight entertainment service. On flights longer than 2.5 hours, the option of fresh meals will also be available for all passengers. In addition, under PorterClassic passengers will be able to customize their journey by picking fares (Basic, Standard, Flex, Freedom) that include advance seat selection, baggage, and flexibility.

PorterReserve will feature an elevated experience for passengers with  dedicated airport check-in, early boarding, up-front seating (first four rows), extra legroom, meal, extra bags and flight changes.

While I was not quick enough for the $1 fare from YVR-YYZ, I was able to lock in a ticket on the inaugural Vancouver to Toronto flight. At the time of booking, the PorterClassic fare for YVR-YYZ priced at $248 CAD (taxes in). Given the popularity of the $1 fares and the inaugural flight, it was no surprise that even the Basic fares had more than doubled! However, I wanted to experience the elevated Porter service and booked the PorterReserve fare for $521 CAD (taxes in), which includes;

• Upfront Seat with Extra legroom (36 inch seat-pitch)
• Carry-on and Checked in bags
• Dedicated Check-in, boarding & security
• Meal, with Premium Wine & Liquor
• All change fees waived

Take Away

I am super excited to be on the inaugural flight (yes, $150 voucher included), and especially looking forward to the new Embraer E195-E2 which promises to elevate economy flying in North America. Unlike my experience on Flair Airlines, this flight will include No middle seats, free WiFi, and complimentary drink and snacks for everyone – what’s not to like?!

Title Image Credit: Porter Airlines