Porter is launching flights from Hamilton and cheap travel from the GTHA just got easier

Porter Airlines is about to shake up cheap travel in Canada with a major expansion to a whole new Canadian destination.

The Canadian airline is launching four new routes to and from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, giving locals direct daily flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Vancouver starting this June.

The move comes just weeks after ultra-low-cost carrier Play Airlines announced it was pulling out of Canada in April, leaving Hamilton without its budget-friendly flights to Europe.

Now, Porter Airlines is stepping in to offer an alternative to Hamilton standbys Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing for Canadian travel. For Hamilton travellers, this expansion is a game-changer, offering direct domestic flights that haven't been available from this airport.

Currently, Air Canada doesn't actually offer any flights from Hamilton International — just a bus service to Toronto Pearson. That means until now, the only direct domestic flight out of YHM has been to Calgary with WestJet. Porter's new routes will finally give Hamiltonians more options without having to trek all the way to busy Pearson or Billy Bishop.

Flights to Halifax and Vancouver are set to begin taking off on June 3, while flights to Edmonton and Calgary will start the following week on June 11. Flights will initially be departing once a day in each direction.

According to Porter, all flights will be operated with its brand-new 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which boasts a two-by-two seating configuration — meaning no dreaded middle seats. The airline is also keeping up its signature service, offering complimentary beer, wine, premium snacks and Wi-Fi on every flight.

Passengers flying PorterReserve, the airline's all-inclusive fare, will get even more perks, including fresh meals and premium cocktails.

"The Porter experience is something that travellers in Hamilton have never seen before," said Porter CEO Michael Deluce. He added that the company sees "significant opportunity in this market to expand [its] network across North America" and is confident Hamiltonians will support the new routes. If all goes well, Deluce says Porter could add even more flights from YHM in the future.

This announcement comes as Hamilton International undergoes some serious upgrades, with improvements ranging from expanded curb canopies to refreshed interiors, new digital signage and updated design touches. Cole Horncastle, Executive Managing Director of the airport, called Porter a "strategic airline partner" and said its service is a perfect match for Hamilton's convenient, stress-free airport experience.

Porter is now the only airline with flights at all three major airports in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area — Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport and now Hamilton International. That gives travellers in southern Ontario even more options when planning their next trip within Canada — whether they're looking for a West Coast adventure, a Halifax getaway or just a flight that comes with a glass of wine.

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