Having lived in Vancouver for three years before moving to Montreal in 2023, I frequently travel between these cities to visit friends and for work. In May, I visited Vancouver to meet my parents from Australia for a week-long trip in BC. My boyfriend and I decided to fly with Porter for the first time, typically opting for Flair, Air Canada, or WestJet. On this trip, we were lucky to be upgraded to PorterReserve (which is Porter’s Version of Premium Economy), which was an exciting first for us! Departing from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) at 18:45 on May 13, 2024, we arrived 5 hours and 39 minutes later at 21:17 at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Here’s my full review and guide to this Porter PD 375 flight.
Porter PD 375 Flight Summary
Airline: Porter
Route: Montreal (YUL) – Vancouver (YVR)
Aircraft: E195-E2
Flight: PD 375
Date: 13 May, 2024
Time: 6:45 PM
Duration: 5 hr 39 min
Seat: 2D
Cabin: Porter Reserve
Miles: 2,344 m / 3,777 km
Wi-Fi On Board: Included
Inflight Entertainment: Included
Inflight Meal: Included
Cost: $647 Return Per Person
Overall Rating: 5/5
Booking Experience
We began our flight search in March 2024, exploring options through Google Flights and SkyScanner to find the most budget-friendly direct flight. Needing a night flight due to work schedules, we found Porter met our criteria while also being one of the cheapest options. Neither of us had flown Porter before, but we had heard good things about their unique approach to economy flying, such as no middle seats. We signed up for their VIP Program (Porter’s frequent flyer program) and booked return flights for Monday 13-Monday 20 for $1,294 CAD total or $647 return per person in economy class. After booking, we received a comprehensive booking confirmation via email. Overall, the booking process was straightforward and efficient.
Pro Tip: When flying with a new airline, I always recommend signing up for their Frequent flyer program so you accumulate points, and potentially snag an upgrade!
Rating: 5/5
Check-in Process & Baggage Allowance
All Porter Classic Basic Fare Tickets include 1 x Personal Item per person (43 x 16 x 33 cm), such as a purse or laptop bag. We added a checked bag for $46 at the time of booking. On the day of our flight, we went to check in online. Only I was able to check in online (we suspect as my ticket included a checked bag) however my boyfriend was directed to check in at the airport. Upon arriving at Montreal airport, we went to the front desk and a friendly attendant greeted us and helped us check in. He asked if it was our first time flying Porter, and we advised yes and that we were excited. Moments after checking in, he let us know that we had been upgraded to PorterReserve, which is Porter’s version of Premium Economy! This was such exciting news, as neither of us had ever been upgraded or flown anything besides economy class. He gave us our boarding passes with our new seat numbers of 2C & 2D and went on our way. With PorterReserve, we also would have received complimentary checked bags, priority security line and free-flight changes, although this was obsolete as we found out about the upgrade at the airport.
Rating: 5/5
Pre-Flight & Boarding
Our departure gate was Gate 6, a 10-minute walk from security. Urban Crave was nearby for a bite, although we didn’t eat knowing there’d be food on the plane. Washrooms and water bottle fill-up stations were conveniently located next to the gate. We had downloaded the Porter App and received updates about our flight boarding times. Boarding commenced at 6:00 PM, and as Porter Reserve passengers, we boarded first. Overall, the pre-flight boarding experience was a breeze!
Rating: 5/5
Air Craft & Seat Comfort
Porter doesn’t have a traditional business class, but rather PorterReserve (their equivalent of premium economy) which offers 36” of leg room, PorterClassic Stretch which offers 34” of legroom and PorterClassic offers 30” of leg room. Regardless of class, and one of my favorite things about Porter is there ‘No middle seats” commitment! This means that all plans are 2×2 configuration with no middle seats, which is a game changer in the low-cost airline market.
Our legroom was incredibly spacious and we were able to fully extend our legs. The seat’s pitch (the distance from one headrest to the next) stood at an incredibly spacious 36 inches, while the width (spanning from armrest to armrest) measured a generous 18.3 inches – above the industry standard. This contrasted favorably with the confined conditions typical of the low-cost airlines we are used to, where a mere 28-inch pitch is often the standard. We were able to recline our seats back 6”, although we didn’t need to, as the seat was already spacious enough. I had the window seat so I had a small shelf next to me and we also had the option to move our armrest up and down. Overall, the seat was beyond comfortable and by far the best seat I’ve had on a plane!
Rating: 5/5
Food & Beverage Options
Prior to takeoff, our hostess gave us a printed menu with the meal & beverage choices. With PorterReserve we would receive a complimentary fresh meal, premium beverages and snack selection. The hostess took our drink order; I chose a margarita & my boyfriend selected an old-fashioned. Moments later, our cocktails arrived in real glass, which was such a nice touch!
We requested our specific meals and a few minutes later we received our choices. For my entree, I chose the ‘Soba Noodle Bowl’, which came with marinated tofu, edamame, red pepper, and green onion in a delicious gochujang sauce. The meal also came with a 7 layer Mexican Dip & Crackers, a freshly -baked zucchini loaf & butter and some chocolate truffles. The Soba Noodle Bowl was absolutely amazing! My boyfriend opted for the Grilled Salmon Bowl, with jasmine coconut rice, mango salsa, sesame seeds and vegetables, which was so tasty and fresh. With lunch we were offered another drink, and had the same again, thoroughly enjoying the premium economy experience & indulgence!
Throughout the flight, our hostess came around offering additional beverages, including a Ginger Defence Health Shot from Greenhouse Canada. We were also offered many premium snacks, like banana bread, milk chocolate shortbread and roasted fava beans. Overall, the food was genuinely incredible and we loved the unlimited beverages & snacks on offer!
Rating: 5/5
In Flight Entertainment & Connectivity
Rather than personal televisions, Porter offers free wifi, allowing you to access the internet or stream movies & TV shows from their onboard catalog from your phone, laptop or iPad. There was a large selection of entertainment options, from new releases, family films and bingeable tv shows. Each seat has power points connectivity as well, allowing you to charge your device. Another standout feature was the free on-board wifi, which was easy to connect to and quite fast.
Rating: 5/5
On-Time Performance
Fortunately, our flight experienced no delays, and we touched down in Vancouver right on schedule at our expected time of arrival, 21:17 local time (PST).
Rating: 5/5
Cabin Cleanliness & Service Quality
The cabin and washrooms were clean and well-maintained throughout the flight. Kudos to the Porter staff for ensuring a spotless environment and adding a warm touch to our journey with their friendly and accommodating service. The Porter hostesses were exceptionally attentive, frequently offering additional drinks and snacks and even recommending different beverage options to us. Their hospitality made flying with them an absolute joy!
Rating: 5/5
Overall Impressions of PorterReserve PD 375 E195-E2
In conclusion, our journey on PorterReserve PD 375 E195-E2 from Montreal (YUL) to Vancouver (YVR) was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The unexpected upgrade to PorterReserve was such a nice surprise. The PorterReserve experience was sensational, featuring priority boarding, extra legroom, unlimited drinks, and delicious food. The onboard staff went above and beyond to ensure we had an exceptional flight. Even if you don’t travel on PorterReserve, their refined economy class is a significant improvement over other economy classes, offering no middle seats, complimentary wine and beer served in real glasses, and free snacks and Wi-Fi.
Overall, my journey with Porter PD 375 E195-E2 in Premium Economy receives a solid 5/5 rating and I can’t wait to book with them again! Whether you’re a frequent traveler or planning your next adventure, I highly recommend Porter for an elevated economy experience.
Bon Voyage!
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