Porter Airlines is on a roll. Within a week of announcing its co-branded credit card with BMO, the airline is making another big move—this time in Hamilton.
Starting in June 2025, Porter will connect John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) to four major Canadian cities—Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), and Halifax (YHZ).
This marks a significant expansion for the airline and a major boost for Hamilton’s air travel scene.
In This Post
- A New Era for Hamilton Based Travellers
- Connecting the Golden Horseshoe to the Rest of Canada
- Flight Schedule and Launch Dates
- A Growing Investment in Hamilton’s Aviation Future
- Conclusion
A New Era for Hamilton Based Travellers
For years, travellers based in Hamilton have had limited flight options, with budget airlines like Sunwing offering seasonal routes to sun destinations and PLAY Airlines flying to Reykjavik. WestJet was the only major carrier, with a single route to Calgary.
Porter is now stepping in with a promise of comfort and convenience, giving travellers more flexibility for domestic travel, whether for business or leisure.
Unlike the budget carriers that have dominated Hamilton International Airport (YHM) in the past, Porter brings a touch of premium to the experience.
Think free wine and beer (served in actual glassware), premium snacks for all passengers, and no middle seats, thanks to its fleet of Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
And if that’s not enough, free Wi-Fi means you can stream your favourite shows in the sky without paying extra.
For those who want to level up their experience, PorterReserve fares offer even more—extra legroom, full meal service, priority check-in and security, free flight changes, and two checked bags.
Connecting the Golden Horseshoe to the Rest of Canada
With these new routes, Porter Airlines is cementing its presence in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA).
It’s now the only airline operating full schedules at all three key airports—Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Hamilton International Airport (YHM).
This gives Canadian travellers more flexibility, whether they prefer the convenience of downtown Toronto, the international reach of Pearson, or the ease of Hamilton.
Flight Schedule and Launch Dates
Starting June 3, flights from Hamilton to Vancouver and Halifax will take off, followed by Calgary and Edmonton on June 11.
The schedules have been designed with business and leisure travellers in mind, offering convenient departure and arrival times in both directions.
Flights are already available for booking from Porter Airlines website, and given Porter’s track record of competitive fares and premium service, these new routes are bound to be a hit.
Taking a quick look, a flight from Hamilton to Vancouver typically starts from $156 (all figures CAD), which is pretty decent given that it’s peak summer travel time.
Looking at the points option, the exact same flight for PorterClassic is priced at 11,000 VIPorter points + $45 in taxes and fees, which means the points are redeemed at a value of 1 cent per point.
Likewise, with the cash+points option, the points were also being redeemed at 1 cent per point.
While this isn’t terrible, we’ve seen VIPorter points stretch as far as 5 cents per point in certain routes via the cash+points fare option.
It will be interesting to monitor whether similar high-value redemption opportunities emerge for these newly launched routes.
A Growing Investment in Hamilton’s Aviation Future
Porter’s entry into Hamilton coincides with a major facelift for the airport.
YHM is undergoing significant upgrades, including expanded curbside canopies, refreshed terminal interiors, new digital signage, and redesigned gate areas.
These improvements aim to create a more seamless and comfortable experience for travellers—a fitting match for Porter’s elevated service.
However, what Hamilton International Airport lacks is a dedicated airport lounge, and no future plans for one have been announced as part of these airport improvements.
Personally, lounge access plays a role in my choice of departure airport, which is why I sometimes opt for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) over Toronto Pearson (YYZ). The Aspire Air Canada Café at Billy Bishop adds a touch of comfort to the travel experience.
It’ll be interesting to see if a lounge opens up at Hamilton International Airport and whether that could attract travellers from surrounding areas like Oakville and Milton.
Conclusion
Porter’s expansion into Hamilton is a long-awaited upgrade for travellers who have been looking for more options beyond budget carriers. With its premium economy experience and growing network, the airline is redefining what short-haul travel looks like in Canada.
More importantly, this move sets Hamilton up as a more viable alternative for travellers in the region, offering convenient domestic connections without the congestion of Toronto Pearson Airport.
Whether this will lead to further expansion, such as transborder or international flights, remains to be seen.
