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| - I actually started flying Porter back in 2007 so I feel like a proud mama bear seeing Porter so damn successful these days! Porter is the hometown airline of Toronto with a huge following of hipsters and downtowners and people who just wanted a respite from Scare Canada and its frightful friend WestJet. Porter really is a delightful alternative. While some of the hype might be a little blown out of proportion--it is an airline after all--I think they've sufficiently set themselves apart from the competition and have earned themselves a strong local following for good reason.
Porter is great because:
- They serve food! For free! I love the little sandwiches they give out (at regular meal times only) and the free booze. Caution: they only have Steamwhistle beer (which is great but insufficient if you're looking for alternatives) and some decent Jackson-Triggs red/white wine. While they don't really give you a chance to get too liqour-ed up its nice to have a free glass of beer/wine included in the ticket price.
- they have sales! lots and lots of sales. seriously you should never book a ticket on this airline at regular price. Its like the Bay: always wait for a sale, cause there will be one. If not this week, than next. Sign-up for their email list and you will be notified on the regular of when the infamous 50% (or 30% more frequently) sales are on. Sometimes they're on for a week or so sometimes just one day.
- the flight attendants are fab! Love the outfits, and their attitude is really much better than those dreadful matrons at Air Canada (no offence to those matronly flight attendants reading this, ha!). The attendants are like something out of that CTV series 'Pan Am.' Some of the gay bois are cute too.
- You can get into the lounge--for free, without trying to convince the lounge dragons that you're eligible. And in said lounge you get free Starbucks coffee, pop, and an assortment of snacks (actually its mostly Walkers shortbread cookies and packets of pretzels).
- Security is soooooo much better here and less stressful. Seriously the security agents at YTZ are night and day better than those dreadful people at Pearson.
- They fly to random destinations like Mont-Tremblant! How convenient for all you snow-bunnies who can't get enough of Eastern Canada's best ski resort but can't be bothered to drive 6+ hours.
- the Gate Porter program (leave checked baggage at the door of the aircraft, retrieve it as soon as you step off) is a brilliant and so very helpful invention. Think your carry-on is a little too heavy? But don't want to check it? Leave it to Gate Porter. Perfect.
- Legroom is better than most other domestic carriers.
- Their Re:porter in-flight magazine is to die for, produced by Tyler Brule of Monocole/Wallpaper fame. It features must-visit places in all of Porter's destinations and has articles that you actually want to read. A highlight for me.
Porter is NOT so great because:
- I know I know its not that bad but that ferry has got to go. Its just really an annoyance. Its like a 2-second ferry but now that Porter is so popular and the terminal is so much bigger there is always always always a wait and there are always a ton of people taking the ferry (unless you fly at a really off time, in which case you're lucky).
- They don't fly to enough destinations.
- Their VIPorter program is ok but not great--they need a credit card affiliation to make it easier to earn points from sources other than flying. It'll take me like 12+ flight to even think about getting something for free.
- There is no 'status' program--no perks for frequent fliers (other than the odd free flight) and no benefits with other airlines (Air Canada has an advantage because of its link-up with United/Lufthansa in the Star Alliance).
- Overhead compartments are tiny, like really really small. Only a coat will fit.
- The turboprops are louder than jets (for obvious reasons) and a little slower too. The flight to Montreal from YTZ is about 20 minutes slower--not a significant difference but could be an issue for some.
- There are no parking options (short-term or long-term) downtown--which is a major problem for business people who live beyond the downtown core. I've mentioned the greatness of Porter to many business-traveler type friends and they all remark 'but where do I park!?' and I suddenly realize a fatal flaw: people from the 'burbs will be hesitant to take Porter. So its growth prospects will really be dependent on downtowners and those willing to transit/cab in from beyond.
Bottom line: this little airline has done well--and survived unlike other start ups HELLO Jetsgo and Roots Air I'm looking at you--because they provide a great product, at a great price, with a hipster flair. Its a perfect reflection of the creative abilities of Toronto businesses and Canadian innovation. I highly recommend it.
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