Happy flight attendants looking forward to the inaugural
If you have to launch a new route to Nassau (NAS) – currently 27⁰ and sunny – when better than on a dreary, foggy Toronto morning?
No wonder the departure lounge at Pearson was abuzz with happy Porter pax and staff as the event was celebrated with balloons, speeches, and many smiles.
Flight attendants Patty Marzec and Rex Charlton celebrate in true Junkanoo fashion
Today’s flight marked just one of a raft of new, sunny destinations which will be served by PD for the first time this winter. Currently seasonal, the YYZ-NAS service will become daily effective 12DEC. Service from Ottawa begins 13DEC and from Montreal on 05FEB.
The new route underscores Porter’s growing presence at YYZ beyond its home at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and adds to a string of inaugural flights to sunny destinations, including Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Cayman Islands.
The carrier has already launched YYZ to CUN and PVR; and next up are GCM and LIR. Plus a lot of new sun destination routes from YHM, YOW, YUL and YHZ.
Porter’s extensive winter season to sun destinations also includes the Caribbean, Florida, Arizona and California.
“It’s a very exciting time for us,” Eddy Eldebs, Porter’s Senior Vice President and COO told Open Jaw. “We are building fast and we are happy with the results.”
Bahamas Tourist Office DSMs Quinn Brown and Kenya Dames
The airline’s engagement with sun destinations will expand even further next winter with the addition of holiday packages.
All flights are on the carrier’s E195-E2 equipment with 132 passenger capacity in Porter’s trademark 2 x 2 seating (no middle seats). All pax enjoy free onboard Wi-Fi, beer and wine served in glassware and snacks.
Brent Carnegie of Canlink Travel (repping the BTO) with Porter’s Hub Manager Sofiya Maksymchuk
Upgrading to PorterReserve provides ticketing flexibility, dedicated check-in, 2 checked bags, priority boarding and extra legroom.
“Passengers love us – the smiles, the inclusions, the fact that we love our job and it shows,” said flight attendant Patty Marzec, looking forward to working the YYZ-NAS flight.
Porter’s brand has clearly carved out a niche with loyal customers. One excited Edmonton family on today’s flight told us, “We’ve been flying with Porter for years. All the details add up – we’d rather go with an airline that treats us decently.”
Porter keeps even the littlest pax happy
“It’s only our 3rd year flying out of Pearson,” Brad Cicero, the airline’s Director of Communications told Open Jaw. “The ‘no middle seats’ really resonates with passengers.” And why the raccoon mascot/logo? “Because he – Mr. Porter – represents tenacity, perseverance and ingenuity – perfect for a small airline.”
Perhaps not so small any more. From that cheeky upstart with the pert 1960’s-evoking flight attendant uniforms operating out of then quirky Toronto Island Airport – officially Billy Bishop – back in 2006, Porter is clearly on a roll.
Fasten your seatbelts: we’re in for a pleasant ride!
