Canadians looking to visit South Florida will soon have a low-cost travel option as will South Floridians looking to travel to Canada.
Canadian carrier Porter Airlines will begin offering daily nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on Nov. 30 from Toronto (YYZ) and Ottawa (YOW). From Toronto, the one-a-day flight will leave at 6:30 a.m. and arrive in Fort Lauderdale at 11:55 a.m. From Fort Lauderdale, it will leave at 8:40 a.m. and arrive in Toronto at 11:55 a.m.
From Ottawa, the flight will leave at 7 a.m. and arrive in Fort Lauderdale at 10:45 a.m. From Fort Lauderdale, it will leave at 4:30 p.m. and arrive at 7:49 p.m. The Ottawa airport services Ontario, Canada, and its metropolitan area known as the National Capital Region. The airline offers free beer, wine, snacks and Wi-Fi. Its 132-seat planes have no middle seats.
Canadians represent the largest group of international travelers to Florida.
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“South Florida is a popular destination for Canadian tourists and visiting snowbirds, and we’re confident Fort Lauderdale patrons will enjoy this new service,” said Mark Gale, Fort Lauderdale airport’s director of aviation.
Porter also will be offering nonstop service to several other airports in Florida, including Miami, Orlando and Tampa from both Ottawa and Toronto.
Canadian officials were also pleased with the new Canada-Florida connections.
“Whether you’re snowbirds escaping the winter, or a family heading to one of Florida’s many attractions like Magic Kingdom, Porter’s new non-stop service will make getting to the sun and sand more comfortable this winter,” said Mark Laroche, president and CEO, Ottawa International Airport Authority.
Meanwhile, Gale reported in his monthly newsletter that Silver Airways, a Florida-based regional airline, has begun to offer nonstop flights to and from Gainesville, making it possible for University of Florida students who live in South Florida to avoid a several-hour car or bus ride. One-way tickets start at $49.
Gainesville airport officials say the route has long been requested by the university, whose main campus is in Gainesville. Thousands of UF students come from South Florida.
Gale noted that a start-up boutique airline, BermudAir, the first national airliner for Bermuda, is expected to soon offer flights to and from Bermuda. Gale said details on the service should be available by the end of the month.
Mike Diamond is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him atmdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism.Subscribe today