Porter Airlines sent out an email today with the date they’ll be back in the air. Flights are set to resume July 29, 2020 but seasonal routes to Stephenville and Muskoka have been cancelled. Their announcement is made against the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding future travel as pandemic restrictions are gradually eased or adjusted. So, as with other airlines, new bookings are subject to a flexible cancellation policy.
Cancellation Policy
If you have plans to book a flight, note Porter’s updated cancellation policy. The big difference between Porter’s temporary booking terms, and those of Air Canada and WestJet, is the deadline. You have until July 29th, the date flights resume, to make a reservation under the free change/cancel policy. In contrast, Air Canada and WestJet both have a booking deadline of June 30, 2020.
However, unlike WestJet’s credit which you have 24 months to use, or Air Canada’s which does not expire, Porter requires the credit to be used within 12 months of the original booking date.
From the Message to Customers:
To provide flexibility and give travellers peace of mind when purchasing for future travel, Porter is waiving change and cancellation fees on all fares booked between today and July 29. This also applies to Porter Escapes vacation packages.
Terms and Conditions:
For Changes:
Flight change fee waiver applies to any Porter flight booking made before July 29, 2020, for travel within the next 12 months. One complimentary change per flight, applicable for all fares, including Basic. Fee waiver applies to changes made at least 24 hours before departure of your original flight. For changes within 24 hours of travel, standard change fee rules apply. Fare differences and applicable taxes also apply, subject to availability. Changes can be made online, by contacting your travel agent or by contacting the Porter Call Centre at 1-888-619-8622.
For Cancellations:
Flight cancellation fee waiver applies to any Porter flight booking made before July 29, 2020. Flight cancellation fee waiver applies to cancellations made at least 24 hours before departure of your original flight. Cancellations to flights booked directly through Porter can be made online. If you’ve booked directly with Porter and you cancel, a credit will be issued; it must be used within 12 months of the original booking date. To cancel a flight booked through a travel agent, please contact your travel agent to learn about available cancellation options. To cancel a Porter Escapes booking, please contact 1-855-372-1100 to learn about available cancellation options. Online cancellations for Porter Escapes are not available.
Porter Airlines in the Maritimes
Porter flies out of Halifax (YHZ), Moncton (YQM), Saint John (YSJ) and Fredericton (YFC). I have never been on a Porter flight myself but my parents have flown to Toronto and Ottawa on Porter and were very pleased both times. In Toronto, you conveniently land near the downtown at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) instead of out at Pearson.
For anyone living in northeast Nova Scotia, remember to check airfares out of Moncton in addition to Halifax.
It’s unfortunate that the Stephenville, NL (YJT) route was cancelled for this summer but you can still fly Halifax to St. John’s (YYT) on Porter.
Who knows if WestJet or Air Canada will extend the deadline to book with no-fee cancellation, but if not, I guess it’s nice that Porter gives you until July 29th to make a flexible reservation even if the credit will have a shorter shelf-life should you decide to cancel.
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