Porter Airlines bets big on Florida with 7 new routes this winter
Porter Airlines, a growing carrier based in Canada, has been on a major U.S. expansion over the last couple of years. This winter, it plans to take a big step forward.
Between late October and early December, the carrier will launch seven new routes to Florida, more than doubling its footprint in the Sunshine State as compared to last winter.
The winter schedule announced this week will bring Porter's upscale regional-size jets to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) for the first time.
It'll also give Florida its first nonstop link to Montreal on Porter.
"We experienced a strong response to our Florida service last winter. Now, we're providing our passengers with substantially more flight options to meet their Florida travel plans this winter," Porter president Kevin Jackson said in a statement announcing the news.
Route details
Here's a full rundown of the seven new routes Porter plans to launch to Florida for the upcoming winter season — all routes the carrier did not operate this past winter.
| Route | Launches | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to PBI | Nov. 14 | Up to seven weekly round trips |
Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Fort Myers' Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) | Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day) | Up to three weekly round trips |
YOW to Tampa International Airport (TPA) | Nov. 22 | Up to four weekly round trips |
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) | Nov. 2 | Up to seven weekly round trips |
YUL to Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Dec. 6 | Up to seven weekly round trips |
YUL to RSW | Nov. 29 (Black Friday) | Up to four weekly round trips |
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) to TPA | Dec. 5 | Up to three weekly round trips |
In addition to these all-new route launches, Porter will also resume four seasonal routes it operated to and from Florida this past winter.
- YYZ to Miami International Airport (MIA): Resumes Nov. 8 with up to seven weekly round trips
- YYZ to RSW: Resumes Oct. 25 with up to seven weekly round trips
- YYZ to TPA: Resumes Oct. 27 with up to 14 weekly round trips
- YOW to FLL: Resumes Oct. 27 with up to 14 weekly round trips
The airline already offers year-round service from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, and from Ottawa to Orlando.
Expanding US footprint
Porter will fly all these routes with its fast-growing fleet of 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 jets, which are arranged in a two-by-two configuration.
All passengers have access to free Wi-Fi, not to mention beer and wine served in glassware on board.
As Porter's fleet of new jets continues to grow, the airline has methodically expanded its U.S. footprint beyond the East Coast. Earlier this year, the carrier launched nonstop service to West Coast airports Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — helping to set the stage for its new partnership with Alaska Airlines.
More recently, Porter commenced nonstop flights to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.
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