-

Porter Airlines Turns 19

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Porter Airlines is marking its 19th birthday, celebrating nearly two decades of growth, innovation and its ongoing mission to elevate economy travel across North America.

In the past 12 months, Porter has:

  • Grown to more than 4,300 team members, an increase of 400
  • Expanded its fleet to include 48 Embraer E195-E2 jets, making Porter the world’s largest operator of this aircraft type, with up to 100 jets on order
  • Maintained a total fleet size of 77, including 29 De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft
  • Added 20 new routes (current total 87) and seven new destinations (current total 45)

For the first time, Porter is expanding its footprint beyond Canada and the U.S. in 2025. This winter season, Porter is launching flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, with 13 routes from four Canadian airports. The airline also introduced significant service from Hamilton International Airport in June 2025, becoming the only airline operating scheduled flights from all three major Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area airports: Toronto Pearson, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Hamilton.

Porter was initially established at Billy Bishop Airport, where it continues to enhance regional connectivity across Eastern Canada and key U.S. destinations. It is the largest airline at this airport, with flights connecting 15 non-stop routes. This complements an expanding North American presence at Toronto-Pearson, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

As the first North American airline to offer an elevated economy service inclusive of no middle seats, free beer and wine served in glassware, and complimentary premium snacks on every flight. Porter has set the standard for a more enjoyable travel experience for all passengers since its founding 19 years ago.

This is being recognized globally with awards such as:

  • APEX - Top 3 Regional Airlines in the World
  • SkyTrax - Best Regional Airline North America
  • USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards - Best Economy Class
  • Baxter Media Agents’ Choice Awards - Favourite Airline - Economy Class
  • PAX International - Most Improved Airline in North America

“Our team members are the driving force behind our continued growth and success,” said Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines. “Over the past 19 years, we’ve led the way by introducing meaningful customer experience benefits that others are replicating, while creating even more opportunities for our people and more choices for passengers. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished, so far, and look forward to greater successes as we enter our 20th year.”

Another example of the airline’s significant national presence is the launch of the BMO VIPorter Mastercard lineup earlier this year, offering Canadians a new way to build travel rewards with immediate frequent flyer benefits and industry-leading earn rates. At the same time, the expansion of airline partnerships, including Air Transat, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, is enhancing connectivity and travel options for passengers beyond Canada.

More on Porter’s continued growth is available at flyporter.com

About Porter
Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves North America, including a coast-to-coast domestic Canadian network, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Contacts

Media:

Porter Airlines
media@flyporter.com

Porter Airlines


Release Versions

Contacts

Media:

Porter Airlines
media@flyporter.com

More News From Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines lands in Puerto Vallarta for the first time with inaugural Toronto flight

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Porter Airlines begins roundtrip service today between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Mexico, marking the latest expansion of its sun network. This new route brings Mexico’s vibrant Pacific beaches closer to Canadian travellers. Seasonal service to Puerto Vallarta starts with three weekly roundtrip flights, increasing to five weekly beginning Dec. 14. Nonstop flights from Hamilton and Ottawa to Puerto Vallarta launch in December,...

Porter Airlines Celebrates the Sun With First Toronto-Cancun Flight

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Porter Airlines is launching roundtrip service today between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Cancun, Mexico (CUN). This is the first flight operated by the airline outside of Canada and the U.S., and part of a significant expansion into southern markets that also includes the Caribbean and Central America. Porter provides all of its passengers with a distinct elevated economy experience, including free beer and wine served in glassware, as well as premi...

Porter Airlines increases sun destination capacity up to 25% and launches four new winter routes

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Porter Airlines is announcing a significant expansion of its 2025-2026 winter schedule, increasing flights to southern destinations by up to 25% during peak travel periods and unveiling four new routes. This includes the introduction of Porter’s first-ever transborder service from Vancouver (YVR) with a non-stop flight to Phoenix (PHX). Further enhancing its Ottawa (YOW) base, Porter is adding new routes to two major American Airlines hubs – Phoenix (PHX) and Miami (MI...
Back to Newsroom