July 24, 2015 • Blog, The Power 50, Uncategorized
Traveling by air has become even more miserable in recent years—the lines have gotten longer, the fees more agonizing and the seats even smaller. Add to this the dull and uninspiring tone of flag-carrying airlines and it’s hard not to wonder why we haven’t figured out an alternative method of transportation (we’re looking at you, Hyperloop). The only explanation is that airlines actually want to make you suffer.
Well not all airlines. Two Canadian airlines, Porter and WestJet, are out to correct all the unpleasantness.
Porter
Founded in 2006, Porter Airlines is a charming regional airline that many in Toronto and its neighbouring cities have grown to love. They offer a number of great perks, including complimentary snacks and (alcoholic) beverages, both on the ground and in the air. The airline also runs a successful frequent-flyer program called VIPorter, where points can be redeemed for free flights. As any traveler knows, it’s the little details that really make the difference.
Porter has tremendous plans to expand three key facets of their business: their planes, routes and airport. The first two go hand-in-hand, as their current Q400s have a range of only 900 kilometers. The new CS100s have a range of roughly 5000 kilometers, which, theoretically, opens Porter up to the whole of North America. As a result, their new routes will include LA, Miami and Vancouver, to name a few. Still, larger planes require longer runways, and longer runways require larger airports. Expanding Billy Bishop Airport will arguably be the most difficult facet of Porter’s growth, as there is a passionate and organized opposition throughout the GTA.
Porter AirlinesThe Power 50toronto
Related Posts
« 26. Andrew Wiggins 28. WestJet »
