Porter Airlines proves that size truly doesn't matter
Small planes make me nervous. All the bumps, and the noise, and the kind of lesser legroom that could send even Danny Devito into an unbearable cramp. That's why I don't fly small. My motto? Go big, or... don't board.
This weekend, however, I learned that unlike small planes, small airlines, like Porter Air, are in fact designed to take the anxiety out of flight, the stress out of travel and to swap tiny little aircrafts for tiny little luxuries.
Located on the island, at Toronto City Centre Airport, Porter flies right out of downtown T.O. to destinations that include Montreal, Chicago, and Newark - which is just a cab ride away from the Big Apple. Of course, you could choose to stay in Newark; I just don't know why you'd want to. Perhaps the Sherwood-Newark Arts and Craft Centre is, uh, fun? But I doubt it.
Check-in is easy breezy, and the service agents are pleasant and helpful, and not in that phony way many of us are used to. Because I was only going for the weekend, my bag was light as a feather. Well, a heavy feather. Like, a feather carved from soap stone. They sell them in the Winnipeg airport. True story.
I checked my bulky but compact carrier under the plane. The process took all of four minutes. Then, it was on to security. For some reason I expected security to be as convenient and easy as the location of the airport itself. This made me a touch nervous. Safety first, Porter. Safety first.
To my (happy) surprise, security wasn't as lax as I had anticipated. Just like at Pearson, or any other mega-airport, I was asked to remove my shoes, and bangles, and send everything through the scanner on the belt.
"Liquids or gels?"
"No," I say, blinking. (Moisturizing lip-sheen isn't a gel, is it?)
I'm waved through the metal detecting gate, beep-free. Next stop is the lounge. At Porter, everyone is invited to the V.I.P. lounge, because everyone is a V.I.P. Actually, there isn't any other place to sit. There, we are invited to take complimentary-everything. Gratis shortbread cookies, coffee, water, soda, diet soda (cause everyone knows you can't taste the difference, really), other various snacking items, and Porter's own bottled water.
I slip into in a girthy, wide backed chair, amid other relaxed travelers. The announcements are few and far between, and the ambience is terrifically tranquil. Soon, a fleet of classically dressed flight attendants scuttle by, each donning a pencil skirt, a fantastically fitted blazer and pill box cap to match. It's like something out of a movie.
We board more-or-less on time, but only because there is a delay on the runway at the other end. Once aboard, we 
buckle in, sit back and legitimately enjoy the ride – which only lasts a mere 80 minutes. A quaint little box is presented to me just moments after take-off. In it, I find a snack-sized sandwich, a Babybel cheese, and a chocolate cookie – which is moist enough to impress my flight partner/cookie and cupcake connoisseur.
All of this, plus drinks (both the alcoholic kind and the boring kind) are also, yes, complimentary. Free wine and beer. So, that means you don't pay for it. They just give it to you. Even if you're seated in the last row by the bathroom, it's on the house. Meaning, it does not cost money. F-R-E-E.
The cabins are clean, the provided reading is actually worth reading, and the legroom? Forget Danny, there was enough stretch space for the likes of Linda Evangelista. The flight staff was doting, but not overbearing, concise, but not short. The landing was as smooth as the take-off, and once we had landed, it took only moments for the rest of the passengers to sally forth. We were on wheels, en route to the city that doesn't sleep (but if you must, do it at The Standard hotel) in no time flat.
Naturally, returning home was just as painless as getting there – with exception to the fact that leaving never feels as nice as coming.
Perfect for a weekend away, a quick jaunt home, or a speedy, much needed luxury vacation to Thunder Bay, Porter Air combines speed and comfort flawlessly. 'Big Cheese' airlines are going to face some stiff competition in the future as Porter maps their flight plans to include numerous other destinations. I'm a convert, and a new believer that good things can come in small packages – or at least fly out of small airports.
Oh, and did I mention that the booze is free?
For more information, or to book, like, right now: www.flyporter.com
By Carli Mia
 Carli Mia, Editorial Administrator | |
| About the author: | |
Carli Mia, also known as Carli Rothman, also known as Carli Stephens, also known as Carli Mia Stephens Rothman, is a graduate of the Ryerson School of Journalism and currently lives in Toronto . Born and raised in Winnipeg, Mb., she enjoys maple syrup, self-deprecation, Michael Jackson (dead or alive), and WordMole. She has a mom, a few dads, and a lot of brothers and sisters. She's a blogger, freelancer, video correspondent, dog-lover, and, of course, Editorial Administrator at WOMAN.ca! | |
| Read More >> | |
- Related Articles:
- Seed Your City Event – Queen’s Park
- Female Eye Film Festival Opens in Toronto
- Live to Tell: Up Close and Personal with Sheryl Crow
- L'Oreal Toronto Fashion Week Wrap Report
- Confessions of a Shopaholic Opens Valentine's Day Weekend
Add this page to your favorite social bookmarking websites
Comments (3)
Subscribe to this comment's feed...
-
- +0
-
-
