After months of rumours, Porter Airlines will launch non-stop, daily roundtrip service from YYZ to both SFO and LAX in January.
Flights from YYZ to LAX begin 16JAN 2024, with a departure from Toronto at 10:30 a.m. and arrival in Los Angeles at 1:05 p.m. local time. The returning flight will depart LAX at 2:45 p.m. and arrive at YYZ at 10:32 p.m., Toronto time.
Flights from Toronto to San Francisco will begin 25JAN 2024. The outgoing flight will depart YYZ at 10:30 a.m. and land at SFO at 1:22 p.m. local time. The returning flight will depart San Francisco at 2:50 p.m. and arrive at YYZ at 10:36 p.m. local time.
Connections are available throughout Porter's Canadian network, including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. Johns. The new routes complement Porter's existing U.S. markets served with the E195-E2 to five destinations in Florida that launch this fall: Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Detailed schedules and Porter Escapes vacation packages can be found on www.flyporter.com.
Porter earlier this year launched flights from YYZ to YVR and YYC. There’s been talk of flights to the Caribbean and Mexico but those destinations aren’t shown on the official airline route map.
"Porter's onboard experience focuses on providing economy travellers with service that is unmatched by any carrier in North America,” said Kevin Jackson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Porter Airlines. “We believe that every passenger deserves genuine hospitality and high-quality service that makes time onboard our aircraft something to look forward to.
“Our arrival in California will be welcomed by those looking for a new way to travel between the west coast and Canada."
The new routes will be operated by the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, featuring a 132-seat, all-economy, two-by-two configuration. There are no middle seats on any Porter flight.
Free WiFi let's passengers stream their favourite movies and shows on their preferred platforms and stay connected throughout the entire flight. A selection of premium snacks, and free beer and wine served in glassware is standard for everyone onboard. Extra legroom seats, premium pre-mixed cocktails, and fresh, healthy meals are also available with the all-inclusive PorterReserve fares or can be purchased à la carte with PorterClassic fares.
Sustainability is at the heart of the menu design, with a priority on reducing and eventually eliminating single-use plastics onboard, providing biodegradable cups and cutlery, and eco-friendly packaging.
“We are thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines to SFO. This service offers San Francisco Bay Area travellers an exciting new way to Canada and reflects our own commitment to making travel more sustainable. We thank Porter for making SFO part of their expansion in the United States, and are confident this new service will be a success,” said Ivar C. Satero, airport director, SFO.
Canadians visiting the Golden State have a range of attractions to choose through gateways in Northern and Southern California, respectively. Highlights include walking the Golden Gate Bridge, riding a cable car, or exploring wine country in the north, and celebrity-spotting on Hollywood Boulevard, surfing the coast, and enjoying theme parks in the south.
Porter spokesman said The Bahamas could be an added destination at another time.
"Nassau is the only location we've ever mapped as a representative location.," he said in an email to Open Jaw. "That's still on the growth section of our site, but not with any specific timeline that's been committed to for starting service."
Asked about potential Porter flights to Mexico and more Caribbean destinations, consultant and AirTrav president Robert Kokonis said airlines are constantly tweaking their routes and adjusting capacity.
"A pilot shortage might be an issue, but maybe they're just gauging the response" to their expansion, he said. "I think it's only logical. They only have 17 E-2 jets right now, with 33 on order and purchase rights for more.
"I think the Caribbean and Mexico are logical, but first they wanted to expand domestically, then add the southeast U.S. and Florida, and then the western U.S."
