Canadian all-economy operator Porter Airlines has long sought to differentiate itself by offering free beer, wine and premium snacks to attract everyone from leisure travelers to business travelers. But as new low-cost carriers emerge — and Porter prepares to embark on its own expansion plan with long-haul aircraft — the regional airline is focused on continuing to differentiate itself. On December 6, it announced travelers now have the option to pay for an “all-inclusive economy experience” called PorterReserve, which adds a host of benefits including more legroom and fresh meals on longer flights.
Porter currently operates Q400 turboprops on domestic Canada and US cross-border routes from downtown Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport – a facility that does not accept jets. During the Covid pandemic, Porter refurbished the Q400 with new, forward-leaning ones Expliseat lightweight slimline seats, and lined up the lion’s share of them to 30 inches instead of the previous 32 inch pitch. This retrofit project, which also installed new carpeting, LED lights and lavatory upgrades, allowed Porter to add four more seats to each turboprop for a total of 78 seats on board in a standard 2-2 layout.
Later this year, the airline is expected to take delivery of the first of 50 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft that will enter service on new Toronto Pearson-Vancouver flights. Ottawa and Montreal-Trudeau begin February 2023. Ultimately, the E2s are expected to help Porter expand from Pearson to US sunspots, the West Coast, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Brad Cicero, who serves as Porter’s Director, Communications & Public Affairs, told Runway Girl Network that when the airline receives the E195-E2, the airline will “continue to offer a full network of Billy Bishop regional routes for passengers who value.” on access route to downtown Toronto. The E195-E2 will not be able to operate at Billy Bishop and we do not intend to change that.” Porter will have some competition as a newcomer to Billy Bishop connect airlines begins Q400 service to cities in Midwest and Northeast US.
But with new birds in the wing in the form of the 132-seat E195-E2 twinjets, Porter has seized the opportunity to reinforce its performance proposition. While the airline’s traditional economy experience remains available with a few changes as PorterClassic on both aircraft types, PorterReserve’s bundled offering includes special airport check-in, early boarding, complimentary cocktails (in addition to the usual complimentary beers, wines and award snacks ), two checked bags and the ability to change flights without a fee.
An extra legroom seat is also part of the PorterReserve package, with Porter promising to accommodate PorterReserve passengers in a 36-inch seat in the first four rows of the E2 cabin and in a 32-inch seat in the first two rows of the E2 cabin to park Q400 (The sleek design of the Expliseat seat is marketed as offering better legroom despite a tighter rearward tilt.)
Passengers traveling in PorterClassic have 30 inch seat pitch regardless of aircraft type.
The E2s will come from Embraer with Safran Seats’ “Z2+ model” reclining economy seats, Cicero says. In addition to the improved legroom, PorterReserve customers will enjoy greater recline (up to 6 inches) on the E2s. Safran Seats and its predecessor Zodiac Aerospace have long offered economy seats as certified Linefit equipment on E-Jets.
A third seating option for E2 passengers is called PorterStretch and includes 20 seats spaced at least 34 inches apart.
Importantly, Porter’s E2s will be delivered with Viasat’s Ka-band satellite internet system on board, as factory installed by the Brazilian carrier. And all passengers on board the E2s in particular have access to free internet surfing. A cached content library will expand the live connectivity solution onboard the E2s, Cicero confirms.
This rendering of the Porter E2 shows the antenna dome that will allow passengers to surf the Internet free of charge. Image: Porter Airlines
On longer flights over 2.5 hours, ‘fresh’ meals are offered as part of the PorterReserve bundle fare and as a buy-on-board option for other passengers. And alluding to the growing interest in plant-based nutritionPorter’s menu is designed to include a vegetarian option as one of the meal boxes, Cicero tells RGN.
“For passengers who want gluten-free, nut-free, or vegan options, there are snacks that meet those needs,” he says. “Passengers will be provided with additional snacks if they do not wish to have a meal box. There will be an upcoming announcement specifically outlining all catering partners and menu options.”
Porter says it will offer packaged meals from “high-quality Canadian brands.” The airline has also committed to providing biodegradable cups and cutlery, as well as eco-friendly packaging. Image: Porter Airlines
It sounds like PorterReserve will be positioned as *almost* a business-lite product, but no separate lounge access is on the horizon, and Cicero told RGN, “Porter operates an all-economy configuration with upscale services and amenities. No lounge access is planned as this is not typically associated with economy travel and many interested in this service already have options via credit cards or other arrangements.”
Whether you fly PorterClassic or PorterReserve, the airline offers a variety of fare options. And there’s ample opportunity to upgrade during the booking process. 
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All images are attributed to Porter Airlines
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