Porter announces sun service to Mexico, the Caribbean & Costa Rica

Pack your sunscreen. Porter Airlines says it will launch its first sun destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica this winter.

Travellers will be able to choose from five destinations and 13 routes originating from Toronto Pearson, Ottawa airport and John C. Munro airport in Hamilton, reads a press release that was issued Wednesday (June 25) 

The line-up of destinations includes Cancun, Mexico (CUN), Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR), Nassau, The Bahamas (NAS), Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (GCM), and Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR).

“These are Porter’s first routes outside of our longtime presence throughout Canada and the U.S., and we’re starting off in a big way by introducing five distinctly different destinations,” said Kevin Jackson, president of Porter in a statement. “This is a significant development for anyone who wants to fly with Porter to more places and experience our award-winning service that focuses on making flying enjoyable for economy travellers.”

"Recognizing that many passengers prefer Porter’s approach to economy travel, we have seen other Canadian airlines mimic our unique service in other regions where we already fly, such as by adding free beer and wine, and we anticipate that our competitors will do it again as we enter new sun destinations." 

"But our loyal passengers know that the feeling of flying Porter can’t be matched. It’s intangible elements, like our caring people and generous service, that continue setting us apart. That’s why people love Porter, and why they are going to enjoy flying with us to the sun.”

Porter's winter schedule

The initial winter schedule is as follows: 

Flights to Costa Rica and Grand Cayman remain subject to receipt of government approval.

Porter is notably the only airline offering service from Ottawa to Grand Cayman and Liberia, as well as Hamilton to Puerto Vallarta and Nassau.

The schedule complements Air Transat’s network in the region - as Porter’s joint venture partner, this provides travellers additional choice for destinations, travel dates and flight frequency. 

VIPorter loyalty program members can redeem their VIPorter points for travel on Porter and Air Transat flights to sun markets for as low as 10,000 points one way.

Passengers will travel aboard Porter's 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. 

With a two-by-two configuration, there are no middle seats on any Porter flight. Complimentary Canadian premium snacks, and free beer and wine, served in glassware, are included in every fare. Passengers also enjoy free, fast WiFi. 

The news comes on the heels of the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) approving requests from Porter to operate scheduled flights to Costa Rica, Jamaica and the United Kingdom using its own aircraft.

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