TORONTO — Porter Airlines is celebrating its first flights with the new Embraer E195-E2 between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

The introduction of E195-E2 service on these routes, which are also served by Porter’s Dash 8-400 operations at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), means passengers have more choice when travelling to and from the GTA, says the airline. As it expands from Pearson Airport, Porter will be the only airline with comprehensive networks at both of Toronto’s main airports, focusing on regional flights via Billy Bishop and other top North American destinations at Pearson.

Additional flights at Pearson begin this month, starting with Vancouver (Feb. 7), Edmonton (Feb. 14), Calgary (Feb. 22) and Halifax (Feb. 23).

More announcements are forthcoming, as Porter establishes its E195-E2 network. The airline intends to build a presence in key Eastern Canada cities – Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax – that will connect across the continent to the west coast, southern U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.

Travelweek took part in a preview flight on Porter’s new E195-E2 aircraft last week, click here to read all about it plus an interview with Porter’s President and CEO, Michael Deluce about future destinations, travel agent bookings and more.

Passengers on today’s inaugural flights were greeted at the gates with a taste of Porter’s premium in-flight service, including Balzac’s Coffee Roasters, Sloane Fine Tea Merchants and Cookie It Up chocolate chip shortbread. To welcome passengers as they boarded, everyone received $150 flight vouchers for future travel, and one lucky passenger on each flight won a roundtrip for two to any Porter destination, flying in PorterReserve.

PorterReserve builds on the perks of the airline’s existing signature in-flight service – referred to as PorterClassic – featuring complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, along with a selection of premium snacks. PorterReserve also includes dedicated airport check-in, early boarding, enhanced legroom, two checked bags and the ability to change flights without a fee. On longer flights, there is an enhanced catering menu featuring fresh, healthy meals, pre-mixed cocktails and additional snack options.

Porter is debuting the E195-E2 for North American travellers, featuring a 132-seat, all-economy, two-by-two configuration, and free, fast WiFi for every passenger. The airline has ordered up to 100 E195-E2s, including 50 firm deliveries scheduled to arrive over the next two years. Porter is the only airline with no middle seats on every flight, including its existing De Havilland Dash 8-400 fleet.

No middle seats on Porter’s E195-E2s

Service on the Toronto Pearson-Ottawa route begins with four daily, nonstop return flights. Service on the Montreal route begins with three daily, nonstop return flights and increases to four on Feb. 7.

“A tremendous amount of innovation and dedication was invested to get us to this point and today our team members get to see the results of their efforts. Now passengers can fly with us using either Toronto airport and experience the style, care and charm that only Porter provides. Our emphasis on service and treating economy passengers with dignity challenges expectations for what flying should be like. It’s a momentous occasion and it makes sense that these first flights connect with our two longest-standing partners, Montreal and Ottawa, where we have been serving these communities from Billy Bishop since 2006,” Deluce said today.