Porter Newark-Toronto City
- KGO
- Jan 7, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 8, 2020
PD132
Bombardier Dash8Q400 C-GLQF/ 19D
Newark - Toronto Billy Bishop
28/08/2019 15:00 - 16:05
On this rainy, cloudy Wednesday I flew Porter out of Newark to Toronto Billy Bishop to catch my transatlantic flight out of YYZ back to Europe, here's my short trip report of this really nice airline.
Porter flies out of Newark's terminal B which is also by United for international arrivals and immigration. Once I found where the desk was I checked myself in as for international flights you're not able to do it online with a foreign passport. I was greeted by a friendly agent who checked my baggage if the size was ok for the small Dash 8 cabin but I checked it anyway. Afterwards I went straight to the security which was surprisingly calm at this time of the day, it only took me 10 minutes to get through which was fairly quick. Terminal B itself is a big contrast with the shiny C terminal which got renovated recently to mark United's identity everywhere, however in the B terminal you also have everything you need and charging points everywhere. When I arrived at the gate it was shown that the flight was delayed already and this due to a later departure out of Toronto (YTZ). Since the next flight was only leaving 30 mins later a lot of passengers were trying to get the earlier flight to get home quicker.
As soon as the aircraft arrived, deplaned and cleaned the boarding started by rows and more specifically first the back of the plane and then the front of the plane. When waiting in the bridge to board you could still give your carry-on baggage to the ground staff which you would get back when deplaning in Toronto. While airlines in Europe have 76-78 seats on this Q400, Porter only has 74 seats installed giving you a decent pitch and comfortable seating. Originally I had row 17 but at the end of the boarding and with approval of the crew I could move to row 19 which is the last row and had the neighboring seat free. As soon as the doors were closed the plane got pushed and made it's way to the runway for a 1hr05 flight to Toronto. The climb-out itself was rather bumpy and this due to the cloudy weather. Once out of the clouds the crew started their inflight service, you had a wide variety of drinks and snacks all complimentary regardless of travelling class. However as the turbulence hit the plane the service was stopped half through the cabin so the crew could arrange their carts safely and a little while later they resumed the service by hand from the last rows. I had a Toronto drafted beer which was given in a huge can and a real glass with some shortbread cookies (which worked out pretty well). However during the rest of the flight it kept being bumpy and drinking in these conditions aren't that easy at all. As soon as the decent started into Toronto the turbulence got away and clouds made space for some sunshine. As I had the good side I had a really nice view on the Toronto Skyline during the final approach which again was windy but the skilled pilots landed the plane as they have the experience after all.
After arrival and deplaning immigration goes really quick at Billy Bishop airport as there aren't many international Porter flights arriving at the same time. Once in the arrival hall I picked up my bag and took the FREE shuttle to Union station to take the UP Express to Toronto Pearson airport.
Overall Porter is a really nice airline, it offers complimentary drinks and snacks to all passengers with real glassware making you feel like you're flying business class. The crew was friendly, correct and helpful at all times even pre and post flight ground staff maintained the same level of helpfulness and friendliness . What I really like about this airline is that they make your travel so easy, when arriving at the city airport they offer you a complimentary shuttle to Union station where you can take the UP Express to Pearson's airport which makes it even easier to fly in internationally and continue regionally with Porter. I recommend this airline if you prefer to fly from smaller airports and don't mind making the transfer from Pearson.
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