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Porter signs partnership deal with Alaska Airlines as expansion continues apace
December 13, 2023 By Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Porter Airlines has signed a new partnership deal with Alaska Airlines, as the Canadian carrier looks to round out its rapid expansion across the continent.
Announced Wednesday, the new interline agreement means travellers can now buy combined Porter-Alaska itineraries directly from Porter’s website or via third-party agencies.
At least one Canadian airline will be gone within two years, Porter CEO predicts
It opens up access to 18 western U.S. cities via Alaska hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco to passengers in Porter’s home base in Eastern Canada, the airlines said. It also widens the gate to a large part of Canada for Americans west of the Mississippi River.
Porter flights from Toronto to California are expected to start in January, and connections via shared Canadian airports are planned for early 2024, the carriers said.
The deal comes barely two weeks after Porter and Air Transat announced a “joint venture” — though finances will remain separate — to expand their range of destinations, tap into each other’s markets and gear up for a battle with the country’s biggest carrier, Air Canada.
For Toronto-based Porter, that deal will unlock the door to Europe and the sunny southern getaways currently being served by Air Transat. Meanwhile, the Montreal-based airline, which largely operates tour package trips, can benefit from access to Porter’s growing network in Canada and the United States.
A day after unveiling the venture, Porter also said it had placed a firm order on 25 more Embraer jets, with a list price of US$2.1 billion. It had previously ordered 50 of the E195-E2 narrow-bodies, with nearly half of those already in its hands as of Nov. 29.
The airline has purchase rights on 25 more of the 132-seat planes, which would give it 100 jets in total by 2027, making it by far the biggest domestic Air Canada rival east of the Prairies.
By the end of next year, Flair Airlines also aims to increase its fleet to 26 planes from 21, and Lynx Air to 17 aircraft from its current nine. Porter plans to grow its fleet to 79 by 2025 from about 50 currently.
The rising competition has reduced average fares for domestic flights and some sun destination trips from both 2019 and last year. It also comes as corporate travel — a key market for non-budget airlines thanks to its higher yields — continues to lag.
Under the latest partnership, Alaska’s loyalty plan members will start earning points on Porter flights booked via Alaska Airlines starting in January. Both VIPorter and Alaska Mileage Plan members will earn miles in their respective points programs no matter where they book their flights beginning later next year.
“This partnership with Alaska Airlines is a significant win for passengers looking for more choice and better service when flying within Canada and the United States,” said Porter chief commercial officer Kevin Jackson in a release.
