So I Finally Flew Porter...
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- Опубликовано: 12 мар 2022
- Over the years, I've tried to fly as many of Canada's airlines as I can, and one that I'd always been meaning to get around is Toronto's Porter Airlines.
In February of 2022, I finally tried them out on a flight from Toronto/Billy Bishop to Ottawa... What was it like?
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FLIGHT INFORMATION
Airline: Porter Airlines (POE/PD)
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 (DH8D)
Flight Number: PD207
Seat: 3A
Livery: Standard
Engines: 2x Pratt and Whitney Canada PW150A
Registration: C-GLQK
Route: Toronto/Billy Bishop (YTZ) - Ottawa (YOW)
Callsign: PORTER 207
Runway used: 08 (YTZ) - 07 (YOW)
Date filmed: February 2022
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Outro song - "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2022
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.
As a long time Porter employee out of YTZ and YOW, this makes me very happy! Thanks Alex!
Porter is a unique airline with good service and is a good option for shorter flights.
Can’t wait for you guys to have E195-E2s!
I'm having an interview with you guys tomorrow
@@alexlascu2136 good luck!
I know i’m two years late…but porter employee, please tell me..do you know how they make those cauliflower bites served in between Orlando and YOW?
I love the ability of the Dash 8 being able to fly without moving its propellers 👌
😂
that’s only the newer models. the older ones have to spin at about 6 rpm to get airborne
Those Dash 8's ,they look so small and weak but when you take off, those propellers will pull you back in your seat impressively.
Such a powerful take off. Glad to see that the pilots were able to turn the engines off and coast to Ottawa. Seriously, I’ve only flown Porter a couple of times and loved the overall experience.
The camera shutter effect was funny. OH NO!
My wife flies to Toronto often and she will only fly Porter. Mainly because of the convenience of flying in and out of Billy Bishop Airport, but also she just loves the service and comfort.
I have to agree with your wife, when I have to go to TO I always fly into Billy Bishop with Porter
I work at London city airport and I feel like Billy Bishop gives of the same vibes, small runway and small airport operated by a few airlines or mainly one, I like it will have to try it one day
De Havilland's website says the Dash 8-400 Turboprop needs 1300 meters to take off, but that's for the variant that can carry 90 passengers.
I finally flew with Porter a handful of times and all my experiences have been nothing short of stellar! As a Torontonian, the location and convenience of YTZ simply can't be beat! Especially when it's quiet. During clear and sunny days, the views provide one of the best take-off and landings in Canada! The planes are clean, and the service is amazing! Definitely a top-tear Canadian airline!
It's about time! Nice camera work at the 6 minute mark!
Porter has been amazing since they were founded and will really test AC and WestJet when the new E2's arrive this year. Their product is FAR more superior than Jazz's outdated cabins and onboard offerings but I truly think their future operations in Ottawa and Halifax will end up dominating competition.
I am currently working for Porter on the ramp and it was so funny seeing my coworkers in your video
The Q400 is quieter than I thought for a turboprop. I first learned about Porter in Toronto back in 2007. I was up on top of the CN Tower, seeing Billy Bishop down below with one of their Q400’s departing on the windy day I was there.
Antimacassar! The little known name for headrest covers. (Also for the arms of sofas or chairs-not so common these days, but maybe your grandmother had them.)
I thought Billy Bishop airport looked sensational...what a wonderful place to catch a flight. And the turboprop...so much fun.
Love how the prop matched the frame rate of the camera
Porter airlines has the best customer service, their staff agents very friendly. I love porter airlines
I love flying porter flying out of Ottawa to Toronto,,,I’ve flown into Chicago and a few other place ,,,,bishop is a great airport
I fly with Porter more often than most other Canadian airlines and will continue to fly with them! I quite look forward to being on their inaugural jet flight with their expansion
the visuals and audio on your videos are always top notch, thank you for the shared experience.
I live right in the glide slope of 07! You technically flew over my house!
Good job alex. Always fun to tick one off a list
I have family in Moncton, N.B., and have been using Porter's service from Ottawa to visit. Love the service, and the Dash 8 has always been one of my favorites. Now that service has resumed, I'll be flying Porter again, am looking forward to it.
It’s amazing how the plane can fly with the props stationary! 5:58
🤣🤣
No comments please. We all know I’m not serious.
hey Alex! mix in a neutral density filter on the lens and get some realistic prop blur :) happy flying!
Having lived in Ottawa and Toronto, I've done this flight a bunch of times both ways. Porter rocks. I've also flown Porter to the maritimes as well and no disappointment there either. Granted, that was pre-covid, when the old seats were in place and at 198cm tall, I appreciated the legroom. Makes me nervous about flying with them now, but I know Alex is a tall guy like me so maybe not so much.
That was a powerful takeoff! You didn’t lie haha!
5:08 Wow, making full use of the 10,000 hp on tap, unlike the interminable, reduced power takeoffs we’re used to seeing out west.
CYYC .
Very sad to hear about those changes. I noticed Air Canada was much tighter for legroom and Porter had more cushiony seats. Now that's gone. Let's hope the glasses will return! I still prefer then over AC anytime.
My airline of choice. YYZ EWR. And service used to be even better with free food in lounges in both areas.
That is one of the eeriest views of Toronto surrounded by low fog as you departed there. Very weird to see the outline of all the buildings in the backround.
Hope you manage to get aboard one of the E2s once they enter service. Well put together mate. Liked 👍
Given there was snow drifting across the runway, it was more likely light snow than fog.
Thanks for flying with us Alex! Hope you continue to fly with us. Tell your friends and family. And don't forget to try out our jets when they're up and running. Cheers to Flying Refined with Porter Airlines!
Pretty cool shot while in the air. Seems like the prop is not spinning!
I always enjoy your videos and being a short person I know if you find a seat ok...I will be more than fine!
Nice one Alex! I definitely need to get out east and try out Porter for myself. Pretty awesome that they came around and gave out snacks during the descent lol.
I will say the original lounge setup at YTZ was better than what they have now. Yes the seating was a little more tired and there was only one food kiosk on both the domestic and trans-border side, but Porter offered all inclusive drinks and snacks that you could just help yourself to, even including real glasses. Definitely preferred that over the way over priced and subpar quality food stalls at YTZ now
I agree, that's the part I miss most back when Porter operates the terminal before selling it. I miss those free coffee, water, and snacks in the lounge!
Wow! Amazing to see a popular youtuber there especially when I actually went there at almost the same time
I have flown Porter from its early days. (and also Flew with City Express out of the riginal terminal at YTZ when going through security was akin to walking between the kitchen and the dining room :-). They first terminal was small, very cozy, classical music, all carpeted, with the Mac workstations and seats next to the 1 or 2 gates. You had access to unlimited drinks (not alchoolic) and of course their cookies at the terminal.
Then they build a new terminal of which parts remain, and further enlarged it to the current one with a US section separate from domestic. The current terminal is sterile, and as Porter sold the airport, the onwer insisted the free drinks and cookies go because it wanted to have food franchises there.
Porter started to be penny piunching and started to charge for baggage (and big fee for bikes despite not providing any packaging). That is when I stopped flying them. I am not surprised their accountants decided to kill their one remaining advantage, the 34" seat pitch which made such a HUGE difference in flight. (they also reduiced in-0flight service, thougfh still serve real glasses). The irony of reducing seat pitch: your costs go up because empty weight od aircraft is higher and unless those seats are filled, you end up making less money, especialy as reduced comfort will no longer atrract passengers.
Porter's original terminal was made it popular. At Dorval, it just had a gate like anyone else.
With its seat pitch advantage gone, and moving to YYZ, it will be just another carrier withoutr any incentive to fly them. And like Air Canada/Westjet, will compensate by nickel and diming passengers even more.
They should have remained small, friendly and comfortable because that is what brought customers to them. The building of tunnel increase fares (airport operator charges higher airport fees to pat for it).
Back in the days of City Express, you checked in at the Royal York, boarded the "flight" (a vehicle without wings and 4 wheels) which brought you to the terminal. On a good summer day, you coudl get off the shuttle on the ferry to get some sun/wind and walk to terminal. Flight would be held if the shuttle bus was stuck in traffic for too long.
Landing at YTZ: the shuttle van waited for you AT THE PLANE and checked luggage from plan went to the mini van automatically and the van brough you to the Royal york.
I disaggree with their move to E190s and YYZ. And don't expect them to survive. Big question is how long before new airline is born to start using YTZ again.
Welcome to my home airport! I fly Cessna's out of here, but never see runway 08 in snowy conditions being a VFR pilot.
I always knew porter was an amazing airline but this tops the list for me. Hopefully, I can get a chance to fly them for the first time in the near future. Maybe even the E195-E2s.
I’m a Porter Flight Attendant… can’t wait to see your thoughts…. Pressing play now 😊
I was very likely working at YOW the exact day you came in :) Great work on the video as always
Alex, the old PD Dash 8 seats were super-comfy and reclined. In the early years, the cabin had only 70 seats before going to 74. The new seats aren't as nice as the old ones, but they are better for the environment. Even with the extra row, they weigh a lot less, which = lower fuel consumption = better for the environment...and PD's bottom line. Ottawa-Toronto, both YTZ & YYZ is still a fraction of pre-pandemic local O&D traffic, which used to be more in the 3,000-4,000 range on a business day.
Welcome to my city, Alex! I saw your video on the YYZ morning rush, and so wish I could have been there to meet you. I flew Porter once before pandemic, and it was an absolute blast. I also flew 172's / DA40's in and out of this airport too. This is also extra special in that I fly the Q400 in flight simulator too, and the experience is uncanny. I have a wedding to attend in Florida next December, and I'm hoping I can book a Porter E195 to get me there!
Nice view of the engine 👌
The Dash-8 is such a great plane, it can fly without propellors. 😉 Another great video. Thanks!
Fascinating! I’ve flown in to Pearson dozens of times, and I never knew there was a downtown airport!
I always loved porter. the first time flying was a fun experience cause i got to land at billy bishop instead of pearson and i've always wanted to land there
Love Porter, fantastic in every regaled.....same for Billy Bishop Airport.
My younger sister flew Porter from Boston to Toronto City last year and she enjoyed it greatly. I’m excited to try them in the future, I’ve heard good things and your video has more than convinced me. Great video!
I've used porter quite a number of times in my life and always had a good experience. The chairman/ex-CEO is a really great a guy as well. It's one of the best regional airlines in the world in my opinion.
I think this is the first flight report I've seen into or out of YTZ. Great video! Thanks for sharing.
flying porter back in 2013-2014 was a lot different. the roomier seats like you mentioned, but also in their lounge at Billy Bishop also had complimentary drinks and snacks!
5:50 uh captain? the propeller has stopped hur ;-)
Hey great views of the airport terminal. I sure hope Porter can get the city zoning clearance to fly the E2's out of there if the jetliner proves to be just as quiet as the A220 and the clearance to extend the runway ?
I’m glad you got a chance to fly with them finally.
I flew many times on them between 2008 - 2012.
The on board service (in terms of refreshments) was far superior then. You actually got food for breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on what time you flew. Nothing hot but you had a good mixture (e.g. breakfast was a small yogurt tub, cereal bar, fruit cup with juice and choice of either coffee or tea)
Lunch could sometimes be quite satisfying (sandwich, fruit, babybel cheese with juice) and it was served on every flight, even on multi leg routes like from Toronto to Moncton (3 meals!).
That was all done away with around 2013 or 2014 when they only offered you nuts, biscuits or pretzels along with the usual water/juice. At least they kept the free booze😊
Additionally, there were only 70 seats on their aircraft back then so for a tall guy like yourself the legroom would have been much more comfortable than what you experienced on this flight (34” pitch).
Sadly, in the desire to chase the money, they added more seats and did away with the things that used to endear them to so many, including myself.
Now they’ve even gone the route of having their version of the LCC model where you pay a “cheap” fare and all it gets you is a seat on the plane, you can’t bring any carry-on with you unless you ‘upgrade’ to the next level fare. I realize that pretty much everyone is doing that nowadays but it’s kind of sad that they decided to join the pack instead of continuing to be different from the other airlines.
Having said all that, I’ll still choose them over anyone else.
Porter Airlines trip report looks interesting also I heard there soon getting New Embraer E195-E2 Jets 30 Orders of Remember Correctly which is a good move for the Downtown Canadian Carrier!!!!
Great video. I flew with Porter to Montreal in 2012. They became my favourite airline on that flight. I was seated just behind the wing and the leg room was amazing (6’1” btw). Their customer service was great and in flight service was superb for such a short flight. I have to say, flying out of YTZ is a lot better than YYZ.
ive only flown porter on 1 trip but i thought it was really good. im super excited for them to to get the e195 and fly to more destinations if im going anywhere they go ill fly with them. its too bad they couldnt get the city to extend the runway hopefully they can keep up there good service at pearson
i went on a porter flight march 2019 and it was so loud for the hour i was on it seats kinda smelled sweaty too
I flew the same route back in 2018 and I was really impressed with the service Porter offers I would defiantly fly with them again.
I never got to fly with Porter, but on one of my random wanderings around Toronto, I did make my way over to Billy Bishop to check it out. I've previously flown on one of Westjet Encore's Dash 8-400's and I enjoyed it more than being on the 737. Great video as usual, Alex.
When I first read about Bishop’s airport some time ago, it made me curious about that. Looks great indeed! I see you enjoyed that
Just booked my first flight with them!! Also my first flight since before covid. Thanks for the great review.
Man.. I remember flying on Porter Airlines on vacation to Toronto one summer back in the day such great service. Thank you for this! it sure brings back some memories of flying on those Dash-8's.
I love porter you should try them again in summer, I’ve flown Toronto to New York and Toronto to Chicago. I live in New Zealand so don’t get to Toronto too often, but every chance I can get I take a flight with Porter
It has been years since I flew Porter. It seems they have made changes to the lounge area and not for the better. When I last flew Porter in the lounge you could help yourself to free coffee and cappuccino dispensed from high-tech machines. You could help yourself to all the Walkers shortbread cookies or packages of almonds. You could also help yourself to free bottled water, juice and soft drinks and off to the side of the lounge was a large room with banks of computers where you could surf the net while waiting for your flight (now this is going back over 10 years ago when people did not have internet on their phones!). It really felt like a premium service for an economy fare. In flight you were offered free Beer (Steam whistle) or Wine - or if you don't imbibe soft drinks, water, juice or coffee all free along with Walkers shortbread cookies and bags of almonds. I recall on some flights I asked for a second Beer and bag of nuts and the flight attendants happily obliged. I wonder if this in flight service still exists? Too bad your flight did not permit this service. It is also too bad that the weather leaving Toronto was so lousy because you would have had a spectacular view of the downtown.
What is really sad is the city of Toronto did not allow them to extend the runways to permit the use of the then C-Series jets that Porter had ordered. Porter was one of the first customers to order the C-Series and had the runways been extended would be flying these jets out of Toronto Island to destinations as far away as London (UK) city airport TODAY! It would have provided Toronto with a MASSIVE competitive advantage and a huge boon to the local economy but Toronto's idiot politicians quashed this plan. In the end the large order for Canadian made Jets was cancelled and Porter ended up buying Brazilian jets. The Embraer E2 in theory could be operated out of Toronto Island and I suspect that is Porters objective in the long run.
I flew with Porter a couple years ago to Chicago and I must say it was probably the best experience I've ever had
I flew Porter once, and they were great. Loved the glass cups!
Just came from Halifax to Montreal and Porter really saved me. Flight was delayed two hours thus meaning I miss my connection in Montreal had to walk up the Porter gate and buy a ticket just as they were boarding(To montreal and on time!). First time I ever did something so last minute like that but I would have been stuck in Canada.
YTZ has changed so much since my OU days there! Had the jumpseat on both DH7, DH8 so many times out of/into YTZ. On a nice clear day, the views both takeoff & landings are so cool! Brings back so many memories! Cheers! 👍✌️
That weather would certainly collapse most US airports. What a great looking flight. I don't know why but I always feel more comfortable on the 2 by 2 planes instead of the 3 x 3
I can’t wait for the new jet service … porter has changed lots than before.
I'm very happy to see you make a video about Porter, I am also proud to work for Porter! I am definitely looking forward to my first flight with them!
Great review!
Love Porter, great airline and service. Keep up the great work guys!
Cool! Thank you.
Always loved Porter. Quick, convenient, and friendly staff. Very excited to see their new E2’s come into service!
That was probably the best dash 8 landing I’ve ever seen great video Alex 😎
Thanks for this look at YTZ and Porter! On trip to Toronto a few years ago I visited YTZ; lovely airport. As another Western Canadian, I've also been fascination with Porter and wish they'd start regional operations here in Vancouver with their Q400's. Now that they have the Embraer's coming, I'm excited to see them expand and finally touchdown at YVR.
I flew with Porter in late Feburary 2020 for the Special Olympics in Thunder Bay, I found the older cabin to be very comfortable and the leg room was awesome, I'm 6ft 1in and I had Knee room to spare. The crew made a mention of the athletes on board and on another SO bound flight, the Pilot took a selfie down the isle with the athletes. My flight going up was delayed but they provided us with $15 worth of vouchers to be used in any of the stores in the Airport, which I used to get 2 bags of chips and 2 bottles of coke, which was really nice! I have a very high opinion of Porter and Its kind of sad to see their cabins become a bit tighter, however the free drinks and snacks on board is really cool still
I've never had the pleasure of flying Porter, though the last time I was in Toronto I went for a flight in a 172 out of CYTZ. Touch and go at Oshawa, orbit the CN Tower. Excellent!
As a frequent pre-pandemic Porter flyer - I'm glad to see their experience remains more or less the same!
The loss of leg room is disappointing. I preferred their interiors to Air Canada Express and WestJet. The free drinks are nice, but I remember Porter offering a free boxed meal in their earlier years of service (at least on their 2-hour long flights). I used to fly Porter regularly, but switched back to Air Canada once they reinstated jet service on my usual route. If they introduce their new E2s, I might have to start flying with Porter again.
The last time I was in the terminal at Toronto Island Airport was like 30 years ago. Wow... huge changes indeed! I have heard good things about Porter.
nice trip; guess i've done enough flying to notice almost direct crosswind takeoff, blowing, maybe 20? super cool that the camera synced with the prop to be able to clearly notice blade pitch. stay strong, springs ,,umm, close?
Kudos to the flight crew. That looked about as lousy a day as one could have for flying. Great report as always.
Cannot wait for porterto come to Atlanta
I got to fly Porter twice from Toronto to Thunder Bay. Loved the views taking off from Toronto and thought the service was exceptional.
"...very powerful takeoff..." The first time I flew on a Q400, during takeoff I was like "Holy shit! This thing has some real thrust!"
I wish Billy bishop did expand the runway to accommodate the CS100 aircraft. I think it would drastically increase the destinations and airlines serving the airport
Not much longer until we see their E195-E2!
Too bad they didn't get the C-series, oops I mean the A220.
Your videos and channel are honestly top notch! I’m pretty stingy about who I subscribe to in the aviation community. You’re in my top five favorite avgeek channels! Keep up the incredible work!
I freakin' LOVE Porter. Go to Halifax a few times a year and ALWAYS with Porter.
Really awesome!
Porter s always great flying into Toronto just got the central location!
I would Love to Fly on Porter Airlines Dash 8-400's & there upcoming Embraer E195-E2 jets which I hope to see in Delivery soon!!!!
Porter is a unique airline, in my opinion they are the best Canadian airline when it comes to airport lounge and In-Flight service 💙 The Toronto skyline is a bonus.
I always fly porter when I’m going somewhere they fly to. They are great!!
Don't forget to find your gate first then get food before boarding your Porter flight!
Hey Alex - WOW this video is almost a year old and now Porter has those E2 jets you mentioned in your video. Time to fly some YYC-YOW and re-do your video from 5 months ago! They have improved a lot since then!
Living in Halifax and with most of my family spread between NL and Ontario, Porter is basically the exclusive airline I fly. I last flew them A few weeks ago and while the new seats aren’t amazing (cool looking carbon fibre seat frames though!) the service is as good as ever and the whole experience is very pleasant. Very excited to try out their E2s when they arrive, shame the original C Series and airport runway expansion didn’t go though though.