Porter Airlines considering OW membership

[SYD]

Saw this posted over on FT.

Porter Airlines Confirms It’s Considering Joining oneworld — 'We’d Be The Obvious Choice In Canada' - View from the Wing

Porter Airlines says it’s actively evaluating a possible move into the oneworld alliance, with President Kevin Jackson acknowledging that Porter would be the “obvious answer” for a Canadian member. The carrier has already built partnerships with American, Alaska, Qatar Airways, and British...

viewfromthewing.com

Can’t say I’ve flown Porter or know much about them but a Canadian OW partner is long overdue after AC gobbled up Canadian.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm surprised at the extent of their network, but non-existent connectivity between the big western cities. Dash-8 and E195s.

 

[elanshin]

Saw this posted over on FT.

Porter Airlines Confirms It’s Considering Joining oneworld — 'We’d Be The Obvious Choice In Canada' - View from the Wing

Porter Airlines says it’s actively evaluating a possible move into the oneworld alliance, with President Kevin Jackson acknowledging that Porter would be the “obvious answer” for a Canadian member. The carrier has already built partnerships with American, Alaska, Qatar Airways, and British...

viewfromthewing.com

Can’t say I’ve flown Porter or know much about them but a Canadian OW partner is long overdue after AC gobbled up Canadian.

I think I considered it from NYC to Toronto. They were priced like LCC model however did use YTZ instead of YYZ.

I'd be surprised if Porter became part of OW in its current form. It'd be like saying Rex (pre administration) was considering joining Skyteam. As much as Canada needs more players, theres no way OW would take Porter in the current form.

Their market is very much like ours 1 Dominent legacy Carriers (AC vs QF) and 1 Value (VA vs WS) and the rest.

 

[dajop]

I think I considered it from NYC to Toronto. They were priced like LCC model however did use YTZ instead of YYZ.

Didn’t see too much different in their offer to most North American legacy carriers. Although Basic economy didn’t come with regular carry on (same as United). And they do offer in flight beverage and snacks - so that’s not LCC. Thought they were more of a niche carrier than an LCC, perhaps too small for one world than a problematic business/pricing model.

Also IIRC they do already codeshare with AA on some routes.

 

[SYD]

Also IIRC they do already codeshare with AA on some routes.

Apparently they already have reciprocal arrangements with AS as well as partnerships with BA and QR, in addition to AA.

 

[NoName]

Has anyone flown these guys and have an opinion on them? I’m looking at LAS-YYZ in August and they look the only suitably timed non-stop option for my itinerary. Prefer to avoid a 1-stop option but if reliability may be an issue I would likely look at it.

 

[Chrizztofa]

Flew them a few weeks ago (YTZ - YQB and YOW-YTZ on the Q400, and YHZ-YOW on the E195).

The YHZ-YOW flight was delayed an hour due to crew illness but otherwise had no problems with them. I'd fly them again. Experience-wise, they're probably positioned somewhere between JQ and VA (for an Australian equivalent).

• No IFE but they offer free wifi on the E195s only (30 minutes, renewable by watching an ad, or for the whole flight if you are a FF member) and an in flight magazine,
• Free soft drinks, wine, beer and chips/nuts with a Buy on Board menu.
• Both the Q400 and E195 have 2-2 seating configurations so it felt less cramped than the AC B737 max.

If you're on the cheaper non-refundable fares I think you have to accept any schedule changes (no recourse for refund / flight change) so that may be an issue if you're needing reliability.

Would be nice to see them in Oneworld due to lack of connectivity in the Americas outside the USA, but I'm not sure how they'd get on without business class and a lounge network. I've also read elsewhere that they may have overexpanded and are struggling to fill their aircraft. Hope a move towards Oneworld isn't in desperation to fill seats.