Low-cost airline adds Phoenix-Canada flights. Here's when they start and where you can go
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is getting a new airline and another new international flight.
Porter Airlines will offer daily nonstop service between Phoenix and Toronto, Canada's most populous city, via Toronto Pearson International Airport. Porter's first Phoenix-Toronto flight will take off in October, the airline said on Tuesday, May 28.
It will be the first Arizona flight from Porter Airlines, a Canadian low-cost carrier founded in 2006 with a focus on short-haul flights connecting Canada and the U.S.
"We’re thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines to Phoenix," Chad Makovsky, Phoenix director of aviation services, said in a statement. "Canada is an important economic partner for our state, and Canadian travel and investment has long been vital to our community. We’re excited to welcome Porter’s unique product to our market and for more Canadians to experience all that Arizona has to offer."
The new flight further expands Sky Harbor's Canada and Mexico offerings in a time of increased demand for international travel. American Airlines added a new route to Tijuana and expanded service to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, while Frontier Airlines introduced Phoenix-Los Cabos flights, its first international route from Sky Harbor.
When do Porter Airlines Phoenix-Toronto flights start?
Porter Airlines will launch service between Phoenix and Toronto starting Oct. 3.
Flights will operate once daily, with departures from Phoenix scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Arizona time.
Porter's flights will offer another option for Arizonans traveling nonstop to and from Toronto, not long after Sky Harbor lost one. Ultra-low-cost carrier Lynx Air went out of business in February, less than five months after introducing a Phoenix-Toronto flight.
Is Porter Airlines a budget airline?
Porter Airlines is a low-cost carrier, comparable to Southwest Airlines in the U.S. Generally, low-cost carriers offer limited services compared to legacy carriers.
The Arizona Republic found PorterClassic Standard fares for Oct. 3-6, Porter's first weekend offering nonstop service in Phoenix, were slightly lower than a comparable standard economy ticket with Air Canada for a nonstop flight to Toronto. Round-trip fare was $509.25 with Porter, $86 less than a $595.21 ticket with Air Canada.
Porter's economy class has no middle seats, free Wi-Fi (costs start at $6.50 with Air Canada), free snacks and free beverages, including beer and wine served in glassware.
PorterClassic Basic and Standard fares require you to pay for seat selection; Flexible and Freedom fares include seat selection.
What does PorterReserve mean?
In addition to PorterClassic fares, Porter Airlines also offers PorterReserve.
This premium economy fare option includes free seat selection, dedicated check-in, extra legroom, up to two checked bags free, in-flight meals (which cost extra for PorterClassic flyers) and the ability to make changes at no additional charge beyond the difference in fare.
We found PorterReserve costs $724.25 roundtrip for an Oct. 3-6 itinerary, $215 more than the PorterClassic Standard fare.
What type of plane does Porter fly?
Porter Airlines’ new Phoenix-Toronto flights will use an Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, a narrow-body, twin-engine plane that can seat up to 132 passengers.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Porter Airlines adds Phoenix-Toronto nonstop flights
