If you are a frequent traveler in North America, you might want to save this date. On Wednesday, February 1st, the Canadian carrier Porter Airlines will launch its first three destinations served with the brand-new Embraer E195-E2. With enhanced cabin comfort, premium onboard service, and sustainable operations, the airline and its customers can't wait for the new plane to join the fleet. Let's look closely at the new product Porter Airlines will bring to the North American market.

Where will Porter Airlines' new Embraer E195-E2 fly to?

No one can deny it. Porter Airlines is set on a path of growth. Not only is the carrier about to announce a dozen new popular destinations, but it will also fly there with one of the most modern and sustainable aircraft the single-aisle market currently has to offer, i.e., the Embraer E195-E2.

The first three E195-E2s will be based at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). From here, they will initially be used to operate flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Ottawa International Airport (YOW), and Montreal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL). With the opening of the Pearson service to Ottawa and Montreal, Porter Airlines will increase options for its customers since it used to fly to the two Eastern Canadian cities from Toronto's Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ) only. The first three destinations are expected to be launched within the first week of February. By the end of next month, Porter Airlines' new Embraer E195-E2 should also start services between Toronto (YYZ) and two other domestic destinations, Edmonton and Calgary.

Later, the new eco-friendly jet will be based at other Canadian hubs, including Halifax, Montreal, and Ottawa. From here, Porter Airlines' Embraer E195-E2s will fly to popular destinations in North America, including the West Coast, and famous holiday destinations in the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbeans. With the addition of the Embraer E195-E2 jets, Porter Airlines' network is expected to expand progressively to include the cities shown in the image below.

Photo: Porter Airlines

To support its growth strategy, the Canadian carrier has made an astonishing order of approximately 100 Embraer E195-E2s, 50 of which are confirmed and are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. Commenting on the delivery of the first three jets, Porter Airlines's President and CEO, Michael Deluce, stated:

"Porter's introduction of the E195-E2 provides the ability to operate throughout North America, including the west coast, better positioning us to serve the needs of many more business and leisure passengers."

A premium aircraft for an enhanced onboard experience

Porter Airlines started operating in 2006. Back then, its mission was to elevate regional travel. Sixteen years later, with the delivery of one of the most technologically-advanced aircraft in the single-aisle market, the airline is set on a mission to elevate the economy class experience.

Over the years, Porter Airlines has built a solid reputation for providing outstanding customer service. Now, with the delivery of the Embraer E195-E2, the airline is given a chance to elevate the passenger experience further. According to the airline, the interiors of this aircraft are passenger-designed, enhancing space and comfort. Porter Airlines' Embraer E195-E2 seats 132 passengers in one class, although with some differences. For instance, rows 1-4 offer a seat pitch of 36 inches; for rows five to seven, it is reduced to 34 inches. The rest of the cabin offers a 30 inches seat pitch, excluding the emergency exit rows (34 inches).

On the other hand, all seats have a width of 18.3 inches (46.4 cm), and the cabin features a two-by-two configuration, which means no middle seat. Consequently, Porter Airlines can boast about being an airline that never causes its customers to face the nightmare of being assigned a middle seat. Indeed, the other aircraft type in the airline's fleet, the De Havilland Canada (DHC) Dash 8-400, also features the same configuration.

Among the perks passengers will enjoy onboard, it is worth mentioning natural leather seats, adjustable headrests, and bi-fold sliding tray tables for enhanced comfort and personal space. Porter Airlines' Embraer E195-E2 also features spacious overhead bin compartments, power outlets at every seat, LED mood lighting, and touchless lavatories to prevent physical contact. Furthermore, Porter Airlines will offer onboard complimentary WiFi access. In terms of onboard service, customers will be spoiled by a "premium" economy class service, including complimentary wine and beer in glassware accompanied by snacks and, on longer flights, fresh meals. Describing the features of the new aircraft, the airline's CEO commented:

"This investment introduces a new level of thoughtful service, unmatched by any other airline in North America. It will change the way passengers think about flying economy."

Re-imaging the economy class

Adding the Embraer E195-E2 to Porter Airlines' fleet also marks another novelty at the Canadian carrier, i.e., introducing a new fare bundle.

From now on, Porter Airlines' passengers will have the chance to choose between two different fares. The standard economy fare has been rebranded as "PorterClassic" and resembles the characteristics of a typical à-la-carte economy class fare, although with some additional perks. Indeed, for flights under 2.5 hours, passengers who have purchased a PorterClassic fare can still enjoy complimentary onboard service, including free drinks and snacks.

For those who would like something more added to their travel experience, Porter has designed a new fare, "PorterReserve", which is an all-inclusive bundle including fresh meals, extra legroom (36 inches in the first four rows), a selection of premium wine and cocktails, checked bags, travel flexibility, dedicated check-in, and early boarding.

A sustainability champion

Besides the travel comfort its cabin provides, the Embraer E195-E2 is also highly appreciated by airlines because of its sustainable performance.

First, the aircraft is certified to the strictest international noise standard, with a noise footprint 76% smaller than previous generation single-aisle aircraft, making it the quietest narrowbody currently available in the market. CO2 emissions are also evidently lower compared to other single-aisle aircraft. For instance, the Embraer E195-E2 produces 165,000 fewer annual metric tonnes of CO2 compared to the older-generation Airbus A319. Additionally, among the 120-150 seater market, the Embraer E195-E2 offers the lowest fuel consumption per seat and trip.

Another rationale behind investing in this aircraft is its range of 2,600 nautical miles (4,815 km), which potentially allows Porter to open up new destinations to every city in North America from its hubs in Eastern Canada. The Canadian airline identified the mix of cabin comfort, sustainable operations, and capacity as the right mix to support the carrier's growth. Commenting on Porter Airline's receiving the first three Embraer E195-E2s, the President and CEO of Embraer, Arjan Meijer, commented:

“Their choice of the E2 as the vehicle to launch their exciting expansion plans into Western Canada and beyond is a huge source of pride for Embraer. The economics, comfort, low emissions, and quietness of the aircraft will deliver an amazing experience for Porter and their guests.”