Porter Airlines New Summer Destination

[gustind]

News reports are floating around that Porter is introducing a new summer destination this year. Any thoughts on this new destination or any wild guesses as to where it will be?

I got a bunch of people telling be it'll be CYAM. I don't know know how that'll work as a summer destination though. Like who thinks of that: "Where you going for the summer?" "I'm going to the Soo! Isn't that cool?!?!"

[V1RotateV2]

What I heard, think further East, like in French East...

[365TAS]

Here's Porter's summer schedule! 6 Q400's so far in the fleet, 4 more arriving in '08 and 2 ordered so far for delivery in early '09.

Quebec City-Toronto – 1 daily flight
Quebec City-Halifax – 1 daily flight
Halifax-Ottawa – 2 daily flights
Toronto-Halifax – 3 daily flights
Toronto-Ottawa – 7 daily flights, plus weekends
Toronto-Montreal – 7 daily flights, plus weekends
Toronto-New York – 7 daily flights, plus weekends

Frequent flyer program to be announced very shortly. Next interviews most likely "summertime".

[Neale]

Are the YHZ routes Non-stop? I know last summer they routed through YOW and YUL respectively as they could not make it non-stop. YQB is a new destination, surprising though it is only once a day.

[Valhalla]

Porter operated YTZ-YHZ direct over Christmas. I personally operated a flight which depated YTZ with full pax and tons of Christmas bags without having to use max performance takeoff performance numbers (or MTOP for those who know the Q400). The airplane can do it non-stop, but the ticket prices for Ottawa and Montreal have a much better margin, so a milk-run makes sense from a cost perspective.

[Donald]

Not to mention, honestly how many people are going to choose Porter's Q400 YHZ-YTZ when AC/Westjet have jet service YHZ-YYZ for the same price? The number of Haligonians travelling to City Centre as their final destination is very limited IMO.

[tonysoprano]

Porter's growth plans will be limited because of where they fly out of, the competition, and the equipment. Not saying they won't do well, just saying expansion will be limited. This will not be an airline that will catch the attention of people coast to coast. Not sure what Deluce had in mind when he started out, but I'm sure even he knew this.

[Big Pistons Forever]

With oil at more than $100/bbl I would say Deluce is looking pretty smart...

[Valhalla]

Not to mention, honestly how many people are going to choose Porter's Q400 YHZ-YTZ when AC/Westjet have jet service YHZ-YYZ for the same price? The number of Haligonians travelling to City Centre as their final destination is very limited IMO.

There will always be more people travelling to Pearson than the City Center. That will always be a true. But the Q400 works very well for Porter's Halifax route. This was supposed to be a summer only route, but it has turned out that there are enough people wanting to go to downtown Toronto to make this a very good route for the whole year. It's much easier to make a Q400 profitable than a B737 or Embraer.

[tonysoprano]

It's much easier to make a Q400 profitable than a B737 or Embraer.

I wouldn't bet the farm on that one. Short stage length maybe.

[Valhalla]

It's much easier to make a Q400 profitable than a B737 or Embraer.

I wouldn't bet the farm on that one. Short stage length maybe.

I was talking in reference to short stage lengths like Toronto to Halifax, which is under 2 hours. So yes, I'd bet the farm on that one. And when you start comparing flights under 1 hour like Toronto to Montreal or Ottawa or NY, it's no contest. The AC's E-175 has 73 seats vs Porter's 70 seat Q400, but will burn somewhere around double the fuel on a 1 hour flight - and that's not even factoring in taxi times at Pearson vs City Center.

[Four1oh]

Porter plans summer flights to Quebec City

Mar 19, 2008 04:30 AM

Porter Airlines is ratcheting up the competition on the Toronto-Quebec City route, launching a once-daily service between the two cities as part of the summer schedule.

WestJet Airlines Inc. will start flying to Quebec City on May 18, several years after first announcing the intention to do so and two years after the demise of Montreal-based Jetsgo. Like Jetsgo before it, WestJet has credited the arrival of competition with Air Canada for a decline in fares on the route.

Toronto-based Porter Airline's summer schedule runs from June 27 to Sept. 2, the carrier, which has as its hub the downtown Toronto City Centre Airport, said in a release yesterday.

Privately owned Porter is also introducing scheduled non-stop, daily flights between Halifax and Quebec, operating daily. The airline said it's the only carrier with that service.

Unlike WestJet, Air Canada and Air Canada's Jazz affiliate, Porter Airlines operates turboprop airplanes rather than jets. Porter also has a more limited route structure, serving Ottawa, Montreal, Mont Tremblant in Quebec and Halifax, with flights to Newark, N.J., starting on March 31.

The Canadian Press

TheStar.com




Just my opinion, but do the writers at the star even have their grade 12? Honestly, what a horribly written article!

[THEICEMAN]

There will always be more people travelling to Pearson than the City Center

Wooow......news to us all??

Maybe one day they will have their Kansai type airport on the lake?

[tonysoprano]

Valhala.
Good thing AC has hedged fuel for this year then. Dude, we're still making money on the same routes you fly. The Emb is one of the most economical machines of its size. Have fun dodging CBs this summer.

[Lever]

Too bad the EMJ and bus will be stuck at ridiculous city pairing cost index's. Meanwhile porter is whizzing past us on the barber pole.

I'd give advantage Q400 on those short hops.

[tonysoprano]

I hear ya Lever. Unfortunately, the CIs are here to stay I think. That's how we make money apparantly. Still, the ability to get above weather (quickly) is a huge advantage. The YYZYOW corridor is notorious for this in the summer. I only bring it up because I've talked to a pax who had the unfortunate experience last summer out of YTZ. This isn't a make it or break it factor, though. Just another negative impression of prop aircraft in the mind of Joe traveller.

[Lever]

I agree with you too Tony;

With speed aside and following the whole 'Safety, comfort, sched' motto, I would far rather have the extra 14,000 feet + to climb than to arrive at destination 5 minutes earlier.... They probably could, however, beat us to 25,000.

Those little hats the fa's have too are unreal, but thats besides the point.

[V1RotateV2]

Those little hats the fa's have too are unreal, but thats besides the point.

Maybe their uniforms are "original / different", but at least you see the whole Porter crew walking together down the airport and most of them are smiling and look happy.

[tonysoprano]

I think they look great. FAs are pretty hot. Bob probably hired them himself. Haven't seen them smiling too much though. That's ok. It means they are not brainwashed. Or maybe the Deluce Koolaid needs to be stronger.

[bob sacamano]

Those little hats the fa's have too are unreal, but thats besides the point.

Canada : Pink Tartan to design uniform for Porter Airlines staff
August 26, 2006

Porter Airlines has formed a partnership with Pink Tartan to design uniforms for the airline’s staff. The Toronto- and New York-based luxury fashion brand was founded by designer Kimberley Newport and her husband Joseph Mimran.

Kimberley Newport will bring her creative flair and design expertise to the airline’s uniforms, including its pilots, flight attendants and customer service representatives. The uniform design has been produced in collaboration with Porter and its branding partner Winkreative.

"We are striving to create a unique and memorable passenger journey,” said Robert Deluce, Porter’s president and CEO. “We’re confident that the travelling public will appreciate the convenience of flying to and from Toronto City Centre Airport, but it’s also important to provide quality service, and creating the right first impression plays an important part in this."

“Pink Tartan is a perfect fit for us,” added Deluce. “The style, sophistication and elegance for which Kimberley and Pink Tartan are renowned will bring a fresh look to the airline’s terminal and in-flight experience.

“The opportunity to design a complete look for the launch of a new and unique airline is very exciting,” said Kimberley Newport. “I have a vision of air travel as a glamorous experience, in which flight attendants make a real style statement and are a true expression of the Porter brand image.”

Porter Airlines Inc is a regional passenger carrier that will operate out of Toronto City Centre Airport. The airline will begin scheduled service in 2006 to short-haul Canadian and U.S. destinations within a 500-nm radius of the Greater Toronto Area. Porter is a subsidiary of privately-held Porter Aviation Holdings Inc. br>
Pink Tartan Ltd, designed by Kimberley Newport-Mimran, is a line of modern luxury clothing available across Canada and the U.S. at key independent retailers and major department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Holt Renfrew.

Porter Airlines Inc

Porter's uniform.



A bit off topic, but...the Q400 can't have this

[tonysoprano]

That's funny!! Still like those Porter gals though.

[dashx]

Code: Select all

I've talked to a pax who had the unfortunate experience last summer out of YTZ. This isn't a make it or break it factor, though. Just another negative impression of prop aircraft in the mind of Joe traveller

Did we forget the (unfortunate) incident with Westjet a few months back? And what altitude did that happen at? A bit higher than 25K No?

I guess AC pilots can dodge turbulence up high yes?

[tonysoprano]

dashx.
You can't seriously compare rare high altitude turbulence incidence to the almost daily, summer season turbo prop shitkicking abuse even when no thunderstorms are around. Like I said, this will not brake Porter. But people do take notice. Just ask those lovely FAs trying to provide that top notch service in the backend. It's not the high oil prices Porter needs to worry about. It's the big picture.

I guess AC pilots can dodge turbulence up high yes?

Well, ok. Now you're being an idiot.

[complexintentions]

hey ton,

I agree with you - as a pilot. 100%. But the vast majority of the public can't even change the tire on their car, let alone recognize the "subtle" differences between a turboprop and a jet. Or give a thought to the cruising altitude of whatever they're on. Heck sometimes I'm tempted to give the PA with our altitude as "one meeeelion feet", since virtually no one on board is either a. listening or b. has a clue.

The only thing Joe Q. Public recognizes is saving $10 on their flight. That's it, that's all. Who cares if that's .00001% of the total fare, if it saves them some pittance then THAT's the aircraft they're going on. The critical mass of 'em, anyway.

[tonysoprano]

Complex.
I think it depends on what part of the world you live in. In Canada, we have some very seasoned travellers who know very well the advantages of speed and altitude. Having said that, I have never flown in a "stretched dash" so I really shouldn't prejudge it. Maybe the fact that I flew the smaller version for years has left me with certain impressions. Back to the original topic, it's good to see Bobby D making a good run of it for now.