Take off for Vegas on new daily flights from Pearson Airport in Mississauga

A Toronto-based airline that began flying out of Pearson Airport in Mississauga earlier this year is rolling the dice that travellers will flock to daily flights it’s offering to Las Vegas starting early in 2024.

Porter Airlines, which previously ran its passenger planes exclusively out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport before announcing last December its new relationship with Pearson, will launch daily flights between Pearson and Vegas starting next March 5, the carrier said in a recent news release.

“Porter Airlines is bringing a new style of elevated air service to the desert by launching daily flights between Pearson Airport and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport,” Porter officials said, noting the route will be serviced by their new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.

The aircraft features a 132-seat, all-economy, two-by-two configuration, say Porter officials, adding there are no middle seats on any flight.

“It takes something exceptional to stand out in Vegas, and we intend to do just that by bringing our elevated economy experience to this popular destination,” said Kevin Jackson, Porter’s executive vice-president and chief commercial officer.

Janik Reigate, director of strategic customer relationships for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which operates Pearson, said the flights to Vegas mark Porter’s 17th route originating from Canada’s largest and busiest airport.

“We’re pleased to see their continued commitment to expanding the destinations offered from Pearson. This new service provides passengers with another excellent choice when booking a trip to Las Vegas.”

Earlier this month, Porter announced it will soon offer daily flights to California’s two largest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, from Pearson Airport.

It will launch daily round-trip flights between Pearson and both Los Angeles and San Francisco beginning in January 2024.

Porter added significantly to its fleet with the introduction earlier this year of 50 new “state-of-the-art” Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.

Porter officials said earlier that the company’s recent moves position the carrier to compete head-to-head with Canada’s largest airlines, Air Canada and WestJet.