PORTER AIRLINES review : 23 July 2008 : by M Bohun-Aponte

Customer Rating : 4/5

I was traveling from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to downtown Toronto and thought I'd give Porter a try. I was on the 6.45am flight from EWR to YTZ on Monday morning. This necessitated a 4.45am departure from home to be at EWR 90 minutes before flight time as recommended. Check in was as expected (there is no online check in for cross border services yet). I checked one bag, had one carry on and one personal item. There are no fees for checking a first bag, and I wasn't asked to pay extra for my checked bag even though it exceeded the 20kg limit. Breakfast options at Newark are pretty limited at that time of the morning (McDonalds and a coffee place) and all prior to security. The TSA line was mercifully speedy. The flight left the gate a few minutes late, delayed I suspect by a passenger taking their time to get to the gate. The Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft was comfortable, more so than the coach configurations on the competition. Porter offered a snack box (muffin & yoghurt) plus juice and coffee. Landing at YTZ was uneventful, Canadian Customs was quick for this flight (only about 20 passengers). The ferry was quick and I elected to take a cab to the office (due to my having a heavy suitcase that I didn't want to drag to the office from Union Station). The return leg was Friday at 6.30pm I arrived well ahead of time because I had finished work for the day (they'll be starting a 3.30 flight soon which might be a better option). Check in was a breeze. The terminal is probably slightly better than the AA Admiral's Club at Pearson, complimentary sodas and cookies, plus a number of Apple iMac computers for passenger use. There is no bar service or more substantial food on offer in the terminal. Our flight was slightly late departing due to traffic in the New York regiion. The flight was uneventful there was a snack box (half a ham sandwich, cheese and crackers) and complimentary beer & wine (one glass). We got to the gate about 45 minutes after the scheduled arrival time. US Customs and Immigration took about half an hour (there is no NEXUS kiosk). I elected to take the air train and NJ Transit to Penn Station (which was also running 20 minutes late), arriving around 10.15 p.m. I thought that at 9 p.m. on Friday night, the tunnels into Manhattan were probably backed up for an hour or more. The bottom line: service wise - better than coach on AA and AC. Dollar wise - depending on the deal comparable to AA and AC. Time wise - the downside. In NY, AA and AC operate from LGA so I would need to arrive 60 minutes ahead instead of 90 and on the way home US clearance is at YYZ and travel time from LGA to Manhattan is usually quicker on a Friday night. In Toronto, AC and AA operate from YYZ, which is a CAD57 limo ride from downtown, but has the advantage of having US preclearance and NEXUS kiosks. I would certainly recommend Porter for its service and price, but I'd probably only use it again myself if I could take the 3.30 p.m. flight (starts September 3). At that time the trip into Manhattan using NJ Transit should be quicker.

PORTER AIRLINES review : 17 July 2008 : by M Ionita

Customer Rating : 5/5

Toronto to New York return. Excellent experience. Getting to and from airport is a breeze (it took less than 40 minutes), departure lounge excellent, like a business class lounge - free tea and coffee, cookies etc. Plane was new and in excellent condition, seats confortable (if a bit narrow). Free food (in a lovely little box) and drinks (soft, as well as wine and beer). Flight and check in staff very friendly. Price was excellent - we got a promotional offer which worked out at less than 300 CAD per person, far less than on Air Canada, but even at regular pricing, fares are comparable, and the experience is incomparable with any other airline I've flown recently.

PORTER AIRLINES review : 21 June 2008 : by Mitch Conner

Customer Rating : 5/5

Food and booze complimentary, and a pleasure to fly. All of these perks were included in my YTZ- EWR-YTZ flights. The fact this airline flies from downtown Toronto is an additional bonus; the lounge was comfortable, and you miss the chaos of Pearson. I would fly them again, and hope that they will expand service to additional cities soon.

PORTER AIRLINES review : 29 April 2008 : by Michael Oscars

Customer Rating : 5/5

YTZ-YUL-YTZ on Porter Airways. Going through security at Toronto's Island Airport is a pleasant experience as opposed to its counterpart at Pearson International. Once through, one arrives in the very comfortable lounge area with computer stations, complimentary coffee and soft drinks to the flight itself with charming attendants and comfortable seating (34" pitch) in Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

PORTER AIRLINES review : 28 April 2008 : by E Tolle

Customer Rating : 5/5

New York to Toronto. Thoughtful cabin crew, full bar and tasty food at no charge, nice comfortable leather seat and great inflight magazine. It is a nice touch that they give away Porter bottled water at the end of the flight.

Porter Airlines review by A Lopez

2 April 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

I was on the inaugural New York to Toronto flight today. My first flight with Porter but certainly not the last after the splendid service. Airport staff cheerful and very welcoming. Aircraft is top notch for a turboprop. Comfortable leather seats. Flight staff excellent and performed with a smile. Fresh and tasty chicken wrap presented in a snack box. I arrived in downtown Toronto and was at my meeting within 20 min of landing - convenient! Price was $95 compared to Air Canada and Continental who were charging $174 with no meal or beverage service.

Porter Airlines review by Lior Suline

15 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

I was really impressed with the professionalism and care I received from Porter. Sophisticated lounge in Toronto and the best part it was free! Flight departed on time and arrived early. Very tasty snack box was served, again free.

Porter Airlines review by J Clarke

8 January 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

Entire trip from Check in at Toronto to baggage pick up in Halifax was unbelievable. Classy lounge, great staff, complimentary drinks!

Porter Airlines review by S Douglas

16 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

YTZ-YUL-YTZ. This is how flying should be - great service on the ground, in the air with a smile, on time departure and arrival.

Porter Airlines review by R Dunigan

4 December 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Toronto Island Airport to Montreal - Great experience. Check in a breeze and staff friendly and competent. Once on board, the FA's did a great job of welcoming passengers warmly and professionally. Cabin modern, clean, and comfortable. Selection of complimentary snacks and beverages (including Ontario wines!) a nice touch. On-time arrival and very quick baggage delivery. I would travel with Porter again without hesitation.

Porter Airlines review by S Shah

4 November 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

YOW-YTZ. Check-in at Ottawa very quick. Q400 aircraft clean, and pretty quiet, with excellent seat pitch. The flight attendant hung your jacket for you. A snack box was handed out with a sandwich, cheese, crackers, and chocolate. Drinks, including free wine and beer, are served in real glasses. Disembarkation at YTZ is quick, but the terminal is a bit sparse. A great airline.

Porter Airlines review by Richard Sawyer

2 September 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

YTZ-YOW-YTZ Lounge at YTZ is like first class: comfortable seats, coffee, tea, soft drinks, snacks, newspapers, wifi. Q400 is comfortable and quieter than the older DHC-8 models, impressive seat pitch. Was handed breakfast after take-off and the OJ was served in a real glass (not plastic). Free beer and wine on the return (afternoon) trip. Staff were very pleasant and attentive. The best airline experience in years and I hope they prosper, they certainly deserve to. The fare was also cheaper than AC.

Porter Airlines review by Norm Carley

9 May 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Montreal-Toronto return this past weekend. Absolutely a first class airline. Food service was unexpected and welcome. Lounge at Toronto Island airport was excellent. Standing in front of Union Station 25 minutes after landing. Can't beat that. Every employee actually cared to to give excellent service. Porter needs to survive and thrive.

Porter Airlines review by Linda Reeve

25 April 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

YOW-YTZ was one of the best flight experiences ever. Plane was very clean and leather seats comfortable. Plenty of free drinks, including alcohol was served with a grilled vegetable sandwich. The dark chocolate treat was a nice touch. FA appeared professional. The view while landing was stunning as the Toronto skyline was just right outside my window. Arrived 10 min early took the free shuttle to Union Station and reached the office in less than 20 min. Overall Porter exceeded my expectations, this is one airline where you get more than you pay for! You get a business class product at an economy fare.

Porter Airlines review by Tracey Sugarton

20 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Toronto City Centre to Ottawa, enjoyed complimentary lounge prior to departure. Flight was on a modern Q400 which was surprisingly quiet. Food was very good and a change on this route vs. Air Canada where food is non-existent. Flight was full, yet crew was friendly and extremely attentive. Leather seat was very comfortable with about 31" leg room. Flight arrived on-time and landing was smoother than most larger aircraft. Return flight was equally as enjoyable.

Porter Airlines by Manuel Santino

4 April 2007

Toronto to Montreal, check-in was a breeze and only 20 min. prior to departure time. Aircraft was new with leather seats. FA's were very pleasant and attentive. Meal service was served in a very attractive box that consisted of smoked beef w/ brie cheese & fruit, complimentary wine and beer. Flight arrived on-time. All in all, exceptional service from start to finish. I will use Porter again. Hope this new airline stays around because the service was refreshing and less expensive vs. Air Canada and West Jet.