Shortly after being named North America’s Best Regional Airline at the SkyTrax World Airline Awards, Porter Airlines has released details about its upcoming Winter 2024 plans for expansion in Florida.
Passengers in search of warmer waters this winter will enjoy a flurry of new routes and increased service on flights to Florida departing from Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.
Porter Airlines Boosts Capacity to Florida
This winter, Porter Airlines is adding new routes to Florida and expanding capacity on existing ones as the airline continues to grow its North American network.
For the Winter 2024/2025 schedule, passengers will enjoy up to 126 weekly departures on 14 routes to six destinations in Florida from four airports in Eastern Canada. As a result, Porter is more than doubling its capacity to Florida this winter compared to last.
As of November 2, 2024, Porter will launch up to seven-times weekly flights from Montreal (YUL) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), with flight times as follows:
- PD571, Montreal (YUL) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), departing 9:20am and arriving 1:10pm
- PD572, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Montreal (YUL), departing 2:10pm and arriving 5:35pm
Beginning November 29, 2024, Porter will launch up to four-times weekly flights from Montreal (YUL) to Fort Myers (RSW), with flight times as follows:
- PD569, Montreal (YUL) to Fort Myers (RSW), departing 3:55pm and arriving 7:50pm
- PD570, Fort Myers (RSW) to Montreal (YUL), departing 11:35am and arriving 3pm
Meanwhile, passengers departing from Halifax (YHZ) will enjoy two new routes to Florida with Porter Airlines this winter with the launch of non-stop flights to Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).
Beginning December 5, 2024, Porter will launch up to thrice weekly flights from Halifax (YHZ) to Tampa (TPA), with flight times as follows:
- PD561, Halifax (YHZ) to Tampa (TPA), departing 4:35pm and arriving 8pm
- PD562, Tampa (TPA) to Halifax (YHZ), departing 11:10am and arriving 3:40pm
Haligonians can also fly non-stop to Orlando (MCO) with Porter Airlines this winter, with flight times as follows:
- PD559, Halifax (YHZ) to Orlando (MCO), departing 11:20am and arriving 2:30pm
- PD560, Tampa (TPA) to Halifax (YHZ), departing 3:30pm and arriving 7:55pm
Passengers departing from Ottawa (YOW) will enjoy two new routes to Fort Myers (RSW) and Tampa (TPA) this winter, which come in addition to the existing service to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando (MCO).
Beginning November 28, 2024, Porter will launch up to thrice weekly flights from Ottawa (YOW) to Fort Myers (RSW), with flight times as follows:
- PD537, Ottawa (YOW) to Fort Myers (RSW), departing 4pm and arriving 7:50pm
- PD534, Fort Myers (RSW) to Ottawa (YOW), departing 11:35am and arriving 2:57pm
Additionally, Porter will launch up to four-times weekly flights from Ottawa (YOW) to Tampa (TPA) starting November 22, 2024, with flight times as follows:
- PD529, Ottawa (YOW) to Tampa (TPA), departing 4:20pm and arriving 7:55pm
- PD530, Tampa (TPA) to Ottawa (YOW), departing 11:10am and arriving 2:20pm
Lastly, Porter is launching a new route from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to West Palm Beach (PBI), which is set to begin on November 14, 2024, and run up to seven-times weekly with the following flight times:
- PD551, Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to West Palm Beach (PBI), departing 2:30pm and arriving 5:40pm
- PD552, West Palm Beach (PBI) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ), departing 6:35pm and arriving 9:50pm
Porter is also boosting its capacity from Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Ottawa (YOW), Montreal (YUL), and Halifax (YHZ) on pre-existing routes this winter, with the following frequencies:
All routes are served by Porter’s Embraer E195-E2 jets, which feature all-economy cabins with a few different options for seating.
The flights are loaded into Porter’s channels, and can be booked with cash or VIPorter points throughout the schedule.
More Options for Flights to Florida
With Porter’s ongoing expansion, it’s no surprise to see the airline boosting capacity to popular destinations in warmer waters this winter.
Since Florida is such a popular destination for Canadians looking to escape the winter woes, Porter Airlines will vie against a number of other airlines to win passengers over. Depending on the route, Porter Airlines will contend with Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Canada Jetlines, and/or Flair Airlines.
Porter likes to lean on its unique product offerings that are available to every passenger, regardless of fare, including the promise of no middle seats, free beer and wine, complimentary snacks, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and more.
When faced with the choice of five different airlines, you’ll want to keep in mind what’s included with your fare.
While you’ll enjoy an elevated in-flight experience with Porter regardless of the fare you choose, you’ll need to be mindful that the lowest Basic fare doesn’t come with a carry-on bag, as is also the case with WestJet and Flair. However, neither Flair nor WestJet can promise free Wi-Fi, beer, wine, and snacks, which Porter Airlines can.
Since Porter Airlines doesn’t yet offer a co-branded credit card, consider booking your flights on a card that has a category multiplier for travel, good insurance in the event of disruptions to your travel plans, and that earns points that you can go on to redeem for travel.
Our top picks for cards to use for Porter Airlines are the American Express Gold Rewards Card or the American Express Platinum Card, which earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on travel, and have strong insurance coverage.
Conclusion
Porter Airlines is more than doubling its capacity to Florida this winter, which includes the launch of new flights and the expansion of existing routes.
If you’re planning a trip from Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, or Toronto to Florida this winter, be sure to consider Porter Airlines as one of your options.
The flights are loaded into Porter’s booking channels, and can be purchased using cash or VIPorter points.
