Porter Airlines is adding new booking opportunities for travel agents, announcing two new U.S. and Canadian airports and three new routes to its growing North American network — including a long-awaited move to Chicago’s primary hub.
The Canadian carrier will launch year-round nonstop service between Toronto Pearson and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) beginning May 21, 2026, operating five times weekly on the Embraer E195-E2. Austin joins Porter’s expanding U.S. footprint and opens up a buzzy leisure and business destination that has seen surging demand from Canadian travellers in recent years.
For agents with clients connecting through Chicago, Porter’s Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) service will shift from Midway (MDW) to O’Hare (ORD) on September 1, 2026, increasing frequency to three flights daily. The move to O’Hare — the city’s main international hub — is significant: it opens up connecting itineraries via partner airlines, giving agents more options to build seamless itineraries for clients travelling beyond Chicago. The upgrade also coincides with a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility opening at Billy Bishop in the coming weeks, which will make U.S.-bound travel from the downtown Toronto airport smoother for clients.
Rounding out the announcement is new seasonal service between Ottawa and Deer Lake, Newfoundland (YDF), launching June 10, 2026, five times weekly on the E195-E2. The route complements existing Deer Lake service from Toronto Pearson and Halifax, giving agents another domestic Canadian option for clients exploring western Newfoundland.
“Porter continues to offer more destinations and flights that complement existing schedules and connect travellers across North America through our hubs,” Andrew Pierce, vice president of network planning and reporting at Porter Airlines, said in a statement. “Travellers want more options and, when flying with Porter, they receive an elevated level of care and service that makes getting there enjoyable and something to look forward to.”
On every Porter flight, clients can expect no middle seats, complimentary wine and beer served in glassware, and premium snacks. Flights operated on the E195-E2 — including the new Austin and Ottawa-Deer Lake routes — also include free, fast Wi-Fi for all passengers, a selling point worth highlighting to clients who value staying connected in the air.
The new routes follow closely on Porter’s recently announced summer 2026 schedule, which includes nine additional new routes, new destinations, added frequencies, and the continuation of popular winter markets. The airline has served Chicago from Billy Bishop since 2008 and continues to expand its presence at both Toronto Pearson and Billy Bishop, offering more departures from the Canadian market than any other carrier.
Full schedule details and booking information are available at flyporter.com.
New Routes at a Glance:
| Route | Start Date | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson – Austin | May 21, 2026 | 5x weekly |
| Ottawa – Deer Lake | June 10, 2026 | 5x weekly (seasonal) |
| Toronto City – Chicago O’Hare | Sept. 1, 2026 | 3x daily |
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