Porter Airlines offers travellers a choice of fare types across the airline’s economy-only cabins. Some of the fares offer more flexibility and benefits for a higher price, while others are quite restrictive and only provide the most basic of services at a lower cost.
In this article, we’ll go over each Porter Airlines fare type, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each to help you determine which one is most suitable for your needs.
The Porter Airlines Experience
Porter Airlines has six fare types divided between two fare families, PorterClassic and PorterReserve, which also refer to the different travel experience passengers can have.
PorterClassic offers more of a standard economy seat, while PorterReserve is more akin to premium economy cabins on other airlines.
The PorterReserve experience offers priority services, more legroom, premium meals, and more flexibility with things like changes, cancellations, seat selection, and checked baggage, whereas you’ll have to pay for most of these if you book a fare in the PorterClassic family.
Just keep in mind that every Porter Airlines passenger, including those on PorterClassic fares, can enjoy premium snacks, no middle seats, complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, and high-speed Wi-Fi when available.
Benefits and Status
With Porter Airlines, there are standard benefits available to all fare types, from the simplest PorterClassic Basic fare all the way up to the all-inclusive PorterReserve Ultimate fare.
All Porter passengers enjoy complimentary premium snacks, free beer and wine, and onboard Wi-Fi (available on the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.) Plus, each passenger is allowed to bring one personal item on board, as long as it’s not larger than 13 x 17 x 6 inches.
What’s more, unlike other airlines, you’ll earn the same amount of loyalty points and move up in VIPorter status at the same rate regardless of which fare type you choose.
All VIPorter members earn 5 VIPorter points per dollar spent on everything except for taxes and fees with Porter Airlines, and members with VIPorter Elite Status can earn up to 7 points per dollar spent.
This means that earning more VIPorter points and moving up in status shouldn’t factor as much into your decision of which fare to book with Porter Airlines as it does with other airlines.
Seat Selection
Of the six fare types offered by Porter Airlines, there are four that fall under PorterClassic: Basic, Standard, Flexible, and Freedom. The other two fares fall within the PorterReserve category: Navigate and Ultimate.
When booking a Porter Airlines fare, one of the main factors you’ll want to consider your preference in terms of seat selection.
When selecting one of the four PorterClassic fares, you need to choose between either a PorterClassic seat or a PorterClassic Stretch seat. With some fares, seat selection is free, and with other fares, seat selection comes with a fee starting at $12 (all figures in CAD).
PorterClassic Stretch seats are only available on Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, and come with 34 inches of legroom versus the 30 inches of legroom provided with the PorterClassic seats.
PorterClassic Stretch seats can also recline up to four inches, whereas PorterClassic seats can only recline up to two inches. All other seat dimensions are the same between the two seats.
If you purchase a PorterReserve fare, you get the same PorterReserve seat regardless of whether you select the Navigate or Ultimate fare.
With a PorterReserve seat, you’ll enjoy 36 inches of legroom on the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, and your seat can recline up to six inches. On De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft, the PorterReserve seat comes with 32 inches of legroom and comes pre-reclined by two inches.
Other than the extra legroom and a more generous seat-recline range, PorterReserve seats have the same dimensions as both PorterClassic seats, including the same seat width.
PorterClassic Fares
PorterClassic fares offer a range of perks and benefits that improve and become more flexible as you move up the four fare levels.
All PorterClassic fares can be booked with cash, and all but the Basic fare can be purchased by redeeming VIPorter points.
In the section below, we’ll go over what’s offered with each fare type and who is best suited for each fare level.
PorterClassic Basic
The PorterClassic Basic fare is the cheapest option with Porter Airlines. This fare will get you a PorterClassic seat, with the option to upgrade to PorterClassic Stretch seat for an extra fee on routes serviced by the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
If you want to reserve a specific PorterClassic seat, it’ll cost at leaset $12; otherwise, a seat will be assigned to you for free.
As with all Porter Airlines fares, you’ll enjoy free snacks, plus beer, wine, and other non-alcoholic refreshments; however, you’ll have to pay extra for premium liquor and fresh meals when available.
With the Basic fare, there’s no option to receive a refund or credit for your flight, unless you cancel within 24 hours of booking.
You also won’t receive an electronic boarding pass, so you’ll have to pick up your boarding pass at the airport check-in counter, where any carry-on baggage will also be verified.
Lastly, at the PorterClassic Basic fare level, passengers aren’t permitted carry-on bags; any baggage larger than the one personal item permitted will incur a fee as either a carry-on or checked bag.
Baggage fees fluctuate based on the route and whether you pay the fee at the time of booking, after you booked your fare, at the airport check-in, or at the gate.
The full list of all baggage fees can be found on the Porter Airlines website.
Who should book PorterClassic Basic fares?
PorterClassic Basic fares are the airline’s cheapest fare option.
You should book a Basic fare if you’re travelling light and not bringing anything more than a personal item onboard.
If you’re travelling with more luggage, but you’re a VIPorter Venture, Ascent, or First status member, you can still get away with booking a PorterClassic Basic fare, as you’ll receive complimentary carry-ons and checked bags because of your status.
Additionally, keep in mind that if your travel dates aren’t firm, you may want to book a fare that has more change and cancellation flexibility, since you can’t cancel for a credit or refund with this fare.
PorterClassic Standard
The PorterClassic Standard fare is the next fare type above Basic. This is also the first fare type that’s bookable with VIPorter points.
PorterClassic Standard fares are almost identical to PorterClassic Basic fares.
In fact, the only differences are that Standard fare holders are allowed one carry-on bag in addition to one personal item, passengers will receive an electronic boarding pass, and changes and cancellations are allowed for a fee.
With a Standard fare ticket, you can cancel as late as one hour before departure and receive a travel credit for your flight. Porter travel credits are fairly flexible and can be used for a future Porter Airlines flight.
The travel credits can be applied to the base fare of a flight as well as to the surcharges, taxes, and fees, and the credits can also be transferred to another traveller.
However, it’s important to note that all travel using the travel credits must be completed within 12 months of the original booking.
Additionally, if you change or cancel a Standard fare Porter flight booked with cash within 45 days of the departure, you’ll have to pay a $100 fee for flights within Canada and the US and a $150 fee for flights to or from Europe.
Outside of the 45-day window, the fee to change or cancel a flight to Europe is the same, but it goes down to $25 for flights in Canada and the US.
Keep in mind that you’ll also be responsible for paying any fare difference, if applicable, when making changes to your flight.
Lastly, if you make a same-day change on the day of departure, it’ll cost $150 for most flights and $100 if the flight is a direct flight between Toronto and Newark or Toronto and Montreal.
With same-day changes, you can only change your flight to another flight with the same origin and destination, requested on the same day of travel, and departing on the same day as the original flight.
You won’t be able to request a same-day change if you’ve already checked your bags, and same-day changes can’t be made if partner airlines are part of your itinerary.
It’s also important to be aware that all fees are per passenger, per direction.
Notably, if you book a PorterClassic Standard fare with VIPorter points, it’ll only cost $50 to change or cancel your flight up to one hour prior to departure.
Who should book PorterClassic Standard fares?
PorterClassic Standard fares should be the go-to purchase if you’re booking with VIPorter points, as the price in points can be significantly cheaper than other fare types.
If you’re looking for more flexibility, then the Standard fare will allow you to change or cancel your flight, though you’ll still have to pay a change or cancellation fee, and refunds are in the form of travel credits for future Porter flights rather than to the original form of payment.
Lastly, you should book a Standard fare over a Basic fare if you’re travelling with more than just the single personal item, and if the Standard fare costs less than the cost of the Basic fare plus the additional fees required for your baggage.
PorterClassic Flexible
The PorterClassic Flexible fare is the first fare to come with one free checked bag. Alongside all of the benefits offered with the Standard fare, Flexible fare holders can also choose their preferred PorterClassic seat for no additional cost.
Beyond this, the main benefit of the Flexible fare is in its name. If you purchase a PorterClassic Flexible fare, you won’t have to pay any cancellation or change fees up until one hour before departure.
However, the refund will still come by way of a Porter travel credit rather than the funds being returned to the original form of payment.
Additionally, if you want to make same-day changes to your booking, you’ll have to pay $75 for all flights within Canada and the US.
Who should book PorterClassic Flexible fares?
PorterClassic Flexible fares should be purchased if you want more flexibility with your ticket, you don’t want to pay extra for change or cancellation fees, and you don’t mind receiving a flight credit in the event that you have to cancel your flight.
PorterClassic Flexible fares can also be a good choice if you’re planning on checking a bag, as the fare includes one bag for free.
Lastly, with the Flexible fare, you won’t have to pay the fee to select a specific PorterClassic seat.
Keep in mind that when choosing this option, you’ll still want to make sure that the extra cost you’re paying for the Flexible fare is worth the complimentary seat selection, checked bag, and no change or cancellation fees.
If the price for the Flexible fare is significantly higher than the Standard fare, the savings on the fees may not be significant enough to make it worthwhile.
PorterClassic Freedom
The PorterClassic Freedom fare is the highest PorterClassic fare level available.
There are only a couple of differences between the Freedom fare and the Flexible fare.
First, PorterClassic Freedom ticket holders can select a PorterClassic Stretch seat for free when their flight is on a Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. This seat comes with slightly more legroom and a more reclinable seat.
Second, PorterClassic Freedom fares come with free changes and cancellations to all destinations, including same-day changes when available.
Lastly, when you cancel a Freedom fare, you’ll be able to choose between a flight credit or a full refund to your original form of payment up to one hour before departure.
Who should book PorterClassic Freedom fares?
PorterClassic Freedom fares are best for travellers looking for the most flexibility, as well as those interested in enjoying some extra legroom and seat recline with the PorterClassic Stretch seat on the routes serviced by the Porter Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
PorterReserve Fares
Porter Airlines’s most premium cabin class, PorterReserve, has two fare types: Navigate and Ultimate.
Navigate fares and Ultimate fares are nearly identical.
In fact, the only difference between the fare types is that if you cancel a PorterReserve Ultimate fare, you’ll receive a full refund, whereas if you cancel a PorterReserve Navigate fare, you’ll only receive a travel credit.
With both fares you’ll enjoy fresh meals on flights over 2.5 hours, premium liquor, snacks, two complimentary checked bags, dedicated check-in and boarding, no fees for changes and cancellations, and a PorterReserve seat.
Who should book PorterReserve Navigate and PorterReserve Ultimate fares?
If you’re looking to travel with Porter Airlines in the most comfortable seat possible, then one of the two PorterReserve fares will be for you.
Keep in mind that on the De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft, the extra legroom is only two inches more than any PorterClassic seat; however, on the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, you’ll enjoy six extra inches to stretch your legs.
Given this, the aircraft servicing your desired route may be the deciding factor on whether paying extra for a PorterReserve fare is worthwhile.
Similarly, you’ll also want to consider the length of the flight since you’ll only receive a fresh meal on flights longer than 2.5 hours.
If you know you want to fly in the PorterReserve cabin, the only reason to select the Ultimate fare over the Navigate fare is to ensure that in the event that you need to cancel your flight, your money will be returned to your original form of payment rather than as a travel credit.
The Best Credit Cards for Booking Porter Airlines Flights
Porter Airlines doesn’t yet offer a co-branded credit card that earns VIPorter points; however, the airline has signalled that there’s one in the works, and we’ll have to wait for more details.
Therefore, you should aim to book your Porter Airlines flight with a credit card that: earns points that you can use towards travel, has strong insurance coverage in the event of disruptions to your travel plans, and one that comes with extra perks that you might be able to enjoy, such as lounge access.
Our top picks for credit cards for Porter Airlines flights are the American Express Platinum Card or the American Express Gold Rewards Card. Both cards earn 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on travel, and have strong insurance coverage in case things go awry when you’re travelling.
Alternatively, you could consider the Scotiabank Platinum American Express® Card, which earns 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent on all purchases, has strong insurance coverage, and comes with 10 complimentary lounge visits each year.
Conclusion
Porter Airlines has six different fare choices in two fare families that offer a range of benefits and flexibility.
The fare you should choose will largely come down to how much you want to pay, how much you want to prioritize extra legroom and change and cancellation options, and how much luggage you’re travelling with.