With the days getting shorter and the temperatures dropping, Porter Airlines hopes that travelers from around Ottawa are ready for some vacation time in the warmer environs of Florida. The low-cost carrier is adding new seasonal routes between Ottawa and Tampa, and Fort Myers to its growing network.
Time to recharge the batteries with Porter
On Friday, Porter Airlines (Porter) announced it is inaugurating two new seasonal routes from Ottawa. Services between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) commenced on Friday, November 22, while the route between Ottawa and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) commences this Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Photo: sockagphoto | Shutterstock
The route between Ottawa and Tampa operates four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The route rotation started in Tampa last Friday when Porter Airlines flight PD530 departed Tampa International at 11:20 and, after a 2:42-hour flight, landed in Ottawa at 14:02. The service was operated with a 2023 Embraer E195-E2, registration C-GZQK and MSN 19020106, which departed Ottawa at 16:59 and arrived in Tampa at 19:47.
According to current fleet data from ch-aviation, Porter Airlines Canada has a fleet of 71 aircraft, with 33 Embraer E195-E2s on order. The listing shows the airline has 29 De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 turboprops and 42 Embraer E195-E2s, with an average age of just eight years. Individually, the Dash 8s have an average age of 14.8 years, while the E195-E2s average is 1.1 years old.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
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The second seasonal route to Fort Myers
The second new service starts this Thursday between Ottawa and Fort Myers and will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The schedule shows that the Embraer E195-E2 will depart Southwest Florida International Airport at 11:35 and arrive in Ottawa at 14:53, with the return departing YOW at 16:05 and landing back in Florida at 19:51. Porter Airlines senior vice president and chief commercial officer Edmond Eldebs said:
“As one of the largest carriers operating out of Ottawa, we’re pleased to add these seasonal routes to give travelers more options when they’re planning their winter travel to Florida. Our distinct approach to economy air travel will provide them with an elevated experience that no other airline in North America offers.”
Porter is building a solid presence in Florida, with nonstop flights from Ottawa to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando also available. Earlier this month, Porter inaugurated a new route between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), marking its sixth destination in Florida.
Photo: Embraer
That service operates daily, with a 14:25 departure from Toronto and a 17:35 arrival at Palm Beach International. A return flight leaves PBI at 18:35 and lands at Pearson International at 21:50. Porter serves six Florida destinations: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Palm Beach.
The Porter difference is on the E195-E2
While offering affordable fares, Porter provides unparalleled service for its economy passengers on its Embraer E195-E2 flights at a level not matched by other North American carriers. That includes:
- Free premium snacks and complimentary beer and wines are served in glassware for everyone onboard.
- Free, fast WiFi for all passengers.
- Porter Reserve passengers enjoy an all-inclusive economy experience with fresh, healthy meals, premium cocktails, dedicated airport check-in, ticketing flexibility, early boarding and more legroom.
Photo: Porter Airlines
Ottawa is a major hub for Porter Airlines, and travelers have multiple seamless connecting options available across Canada. Nearly four million Canadians visit Florida annually, and the new routes will help travelers on either side of the border to experience both countries and strengthen the deep travel and economic bonds between Florida and Canada.