Porter Airlines to Expand Fleet and Enhance In-Flight Experience

Porter Airlines has announced that it will soon begin to take delivery of Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, thus expanding its fleet and also shifting some of its operations to Toronto Pearson International Airport. The airline will also provide a revamped economy class flying experience for all passengers.

This announcement comes as Porter Airlines plans to expand its network from its regional service in the eastern part of the continent to destinations throughout North America.

Porter Airlines to Take Delivery of Embraer E195-E2 Aircraft

Currently, Porter Airlines exclusively operates a number of De Haviland Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft out of its hub at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The airline will continue to fly these aircraft on upwards of 20 regional routes, but is shifting its focus to a brand-new set of planes.

Beginning in late December 2022, the airline will begin to take delivery of up to 100 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which it will operate out of Toronto Pearson International Airport. As Porter Airlines continues to add to its fleet, it has announced plans to also operate the Embraer E195-E2s out of Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax in the future.  

Porter Airlines will become the first North American airline to add these Brazilian-made aircraft to its fleet. The E195-E2s are purported to be the quietest narrow-body aircraft available, and provide the lowest fuel consumption per seat and per flight amongst aircraft with between 120–150 seats.

The single-aisle aircraft will feature 132 seats in a 2-2 configuration, which is surely a boon for any traveller who dreads being in a middle seat. There is an all-economy cabin setup; however, Porter Airlines will have three different options for legroom:

• The first four rows (16 seats) will feature 36 inches of seat pitch
• There will be 20 seats with 34 inches of seat pitch (to be known as “PorterStretch” seats)
• The remaining seats will feature 30 inches of seat pitch

The addition of the Embraer E195-E2 will enable Porter Airlines to fly to destinations it has yet to include in its network. While the exact locations have yet to be announced, the airline has listed regions in the western and southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean as some of the eligible candidates. 

It is expected that Porter Airlines will announce its first scheduled destinations in the near future, likely once delivery of the first batch of E195-E2s…