Flying from Vancouver to Toronto? A new airline is coming in the New Year

A new option is coming in the New Year for flights between Vancouver and Toronto, as Porter Airlines expands its offerings into Western Canada.
An announcement Thursday says direct flights will start to take off on Feb. 7, with an anticipated average of three per day by March. The introductory round-trip fare will start at $248.
"Flights between Toronto Pearson and Vancouver give travellers the ability to fly across the country with an airline that prioritizes enjoyable economy air travel for every passenger," the news release says.
"Building on the distinct service it offers today in regional air travel, Porter is introducing a new economy experience with an even greater commitment to hospitality and sustainability, at highly competitive fares. This new approach to economy air travel challenges what every North American airline does today."
Complimentary beer and wine in glassware, "premium" snacks and free wi-fi are among the in-flight amenities the airline boasts, as is the configuration of the seats – with two per row meaning " "it is the only airline with no middle seats on every flight."
The aircraft flying the new route will be the E195-E2 which has 132 seats and, according to the airline, is quieter and more fuel efficient than other planes of a similar size.
“We’re excited to welcome Porter airlines to Vancouver International Airport as it launches its new service to Toronto, offering travellers even more selection when visiting family and friends," writes Mike McNaney, vice president and chief external affairs officer at Vancouver Airport Authority in the statement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Would you pay $300 a year for quick access to a nurse? Dealing with demand, Ontario doctors get creative
Paid subscriptions to on-demand care are among the many strategies primary health-care providers in Ontario are adopting in order to meet increased demand for access to doctors in the past year, while also managing staffing shortages.

Justice minister says he'll 'look at' federal policy restricting gay men from donating sperm
Justice Minister David Lametti says he will "look at" a federal policy that restricts gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, after CTV News exclusively reported on Wednesday that a gay man is taking the federal government to court over it.
Liberals table bill delaying assisted dying expansion to March 2024
The federal government is seeking to delay the extension of assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole condition is a mental disorder until March 17, 2024. Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill seeking the extension in the House of Commons on Thursday.
Why Delissio pizzas and other Nestle products will disappear from Canadian stores
Nestle Canada says it is winding down its frozen meals and pizza business in Canada over the next six months. The four brands that will no longer be sold in the freezer aisle at Canadian grocery stores are Delissio, Stouffer's, Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine.
Six more weeks of winter? Here are the predictions of groundhogs across North America
Will we see six more weeks of winter, or an early spring? Here’s what some of the groundhogs (and one human) have predicted so far, from coast-to-coast.
'Dances With Wolves' actor appears in court in abuse probe
A former 'Dances With Wolves' actor accused of sexually abusing Indigenous girls and leading a cult must remain held without bail until his next court hearing, a judge ordered Thursday morning.
Ukraine's new weapon will force a Russian shift
The United States has answered President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plea for rockets that can strike deep behind the front lines of the nearly year-long conflict with Russia. Now Russian forces will need to adapt or face potentially catastrophic losses.
Former Wagner commander says he is sorry for fighting in Ukraine
A former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group who fled to Norway told Reuters he wanted to apologize for fighting in Ukraine and was speaking out to bring the perpetrators of crimes to justice.
As sexual assault rates rise, provinces face shortages of specially trained nurses
As rates of sexual assault climb across Canada, nursing experts say there is a shortage of specially trained forensic nurses to properly care for victims.