Is This Canada’s BEST Airline? Chicago to Toronto | Porter Airlines | De Havilland Dash 8

Whats it like to fly onboard a turboprop to Canada? Should Porter Airlines be considered as one of Canada’s BEST? Watch the video to find out, and make sure to leave a like and subscribe if you haven’t already!
Flight information:
Date: March 22nd, 2024
Travel class: Economy
Seat: 5D
Operator: Porter Airlines
Aircraft type: De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400
Aircraft age: 14 years
Aircraft registration: C-GLQZ
Origin: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Destination: Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ)
Departure Terminal: Concourse A
Departure gate: A3
Arrival terminal: Ground level
Arrival gate: 6
Camera Equipment used:
-iPhone 15 Pro
Ice711 discord server (13+): / discord
Ice711 Insta: / ice711yt
Though all information in this video is researched as precisely as possible, I cannot guarantee perfect accuracy. This video may contain spelling mistakes and/or typos which I greatly apologize for. ALL footage in this video is ©Ice711, and one may not use any recordings in this video without my authorization. Please contact me for further informations if it is your desire to utilize my footage.

[@supsnail]

I never heard of Porter before this and it's cool seeing how this small airline somehow manages to compete well with bigger Canadian airlines

[@Qwertyuiop_memes10]

Yeah, they also had the longest Embraer E route, but it is now overtaken by Royal Jordanian. Love your vids btw :D

[@Leaf_dragonYT]

Omg hi

[@YaowenLiu304]

Supsnail what video you gonna send?

[@coldrblx]

I have heard of it, but not actually seen it.

[@ice711real]

Yeah, they’re definitely expanding rapidly, thanks for watching!

[@JRG72]

I love these these because he’s so relatable. Not flying on Emirates first class that 99% of people can’t afford.

[@ice711real]

Lol I can’t afford that at all. Glad you enjoy this type of content! My next trip report is gonna be even MORE low cost…

[@mrwelshaviation_024]

Yep I agree these are some of the best too

[@Elephant_21a]

@@ice711realspirit 🍌🍌🍌?

[@ice711real]

@@Elephant_21aspirit of Canada if you know what I mean (and no not WestJet lol)

[@wingeditz41]

@@mrwelshaviation_024wassup mrwelsh

[@Ozinater]

Glad you enjoyed the flight! I'm a Dash 8 pilot at Porter :)

[@ice711real]

Glad to hear even Porter’s pilots are seeing this review! Thanks for watching, and for your service in the sky ✈️

[@ranch1112]

Hope you get to learn a E2 one day! They are brilliant to fly in as a passenger

[@markeidt6404]

I have flown Porter from Toronto to Northern Ontario on several business trips. It's a great airline for service and hospitality. They are so much better than Air Canada and will give Westjet a run for their business. I am thrilled that they are now flying to Las Vegas even though it is out of Toronto Pearson airport. I look forward to flying Porter again soon.

[@robertchampagne7539]

My wife and I always fly Porter Airlines to Toronto from our home town in northern Ontario. Great airline

[@MrPerfesser]

Flew Porter from Wash/Dulles to Billy Bishop to take in a ball game at the Rogers Center. Five minutes to get through customs. Less than five minutes on the moving walkways thru the tunnel. And maybe ten minute walk to the ballpark and to our seats. Unbelievably convenient, and - as a plus - we flew over Niagra Falls and had a great view!

[@Random_Eebs]

Porter is Fr a w Airline and I can see they’re putting in a lot of care and attention to detail with their product. Great video bro (btw the turboprop view is so good🤩)

[@ice711real]

They sure do produce an excellent product for their passengers, considering the length of some of these flights. Thanks for watching :)

[@TheActualKingOfRailfanning]

Porter is amazing. My mom flew on them and said the flight was really good. Her favourite part was the glass cups. Also, she said the landing was a “butter landing” and she said “ it was such a smooth landing, I thought we didn’t land!”

[@Ont785]

I love Porter

[@Rick-C-117]

You cannot be the BEST airline if you fly the WORST planes ever made, the dash-8. Junk.

[@TheActualKingOfRailfanning]

Don’t disrespect the dash 8 like that.

[@FlyAirWheezer_SevenContinents]

​@@TheActualKingOfRailfanning Yea don't disrespect the dash 8 like that, it's a legendary turboprop plane

[@waikikilatino1]

Aloha from O'ahu Hawai'i USA. This was fantastic to watch and quite informative. I loved how convenient it is to fly Porter Airlines, especially since it arrives right near, downtown Toronto. Great video :)

[@ice711real]

Aloha, thanks for watching!

[@arnoldbailey1270]

Porter has been our preferred small carrier out of Northern Ontario for a few years now . Thanks for sharing your video with us . Congratulations Porter on your expansion ,keep up the good work

[@YonConreal]

It’s always a good day when Ice711 uploads

[@mannystrang]

fr fr

[@Leaf_dragonYT]

Agreed

[@ice711real]

Even better content to come!

[@scooterboy787]

@@ice711realI’m excited!!

[@Cartonies]

fr (former member of Ice711)

[@Roboseal2]

They also Operate the fancy and quiet new Embraer E-2 which actually is pretty comfortable and the services are great. Also those PW150A engines sound amazing especially when the props make that unique sound on taxi.

[@spitfirenutspitfirenut4835]

Should have bought the A220

[@ahmetadam-fe9vm]

​@@spitfirenutspitfirenut4835 e195 e2 are better. A220's generally only have longer range but aren't any better than e2

[@ColtStone]

I love the Dash 8! It's a little cramped even for a skinny guy like me, but it's a rock-solid airframe with an awesome safety record. I took one via WestJet from Regina to Calgary last year, and I was a little underwhelmed at first. However, when I returned a month later, it happened to be on the same plane, and it was like being reunited with an old friend.

[@littleviking488]

And due to weight restrictions related to the Island Airport, the Porter Dash 8-400 have significantly less seats. The legroom is excellent on their aircraft.

[@doingstuffiscoolyah4903]

I went on an American Airlines Airbus A321 a year ago from Pennsylvania to Florida. I love flying on planes!

[@amirrezatoloie]

I wish you the bests ❤🛫

[@ice711real]

Who doesn’t!

[@Elephant_21a]

I also went on an American Airlines a321 a few weeks ago! 🛫

[@PapercraftStuff737]

I flew the the American b787 and it was terrible To make matters worse, it was a crosswind landing

[@thomasamadori]

Awesome video once again Ice! I’ve noticed porter airlines a few times at MCO recently so I’m glad I got to see what it’s really like. Keep up the great work!

[@SD.Aviation-ys1ei]

Seems to me like Porter is a very underrated and under appreciated airline!

[@Buses4life_6]

I loved the plane spotting and above the storm was beautiful

[@Edward_242]

I've flown this airline out of Toronto many times in the past 10 years and they're amazing.

[@gilles5974]

I flew with Porter from Ottawa to Toronto many moons ago...when we had to take a ferry from the airport to downtown Toronto. I totally agree with you that the company deserves a high five fo how they have expanded in the last few years. Thanks for this informative video!

[@ice711real]

Thanks for watching!

[@betty5064]

I still take the ferry - best view of TO ever.

[@foxaviationtime]

Its sad that not many airlines use the -8 anymore but cool to see porter making use of them! (that turboprop sound is something else)

[@SIXGAMES_OFFICIAL001]

They are SOO underrated

[@geoffreylee5199]

This is great! When at university on occasional days I would be across the channel watching planes landing, and trains at Union station. Now I can say I was on a plane to see the landing there. They flew north of T.O. around the east, out over Lake Ontario to curl into Billy Bishop.

[@MNaviations]

I’ve seen porter before and I can tell it’s really underrated. Good job ice!

[@WhiteCoastRS]

Welcome to Toronto! And also great video as always Ice! :)

[@shivyyz]

Porter is OG and YTZ is awesome! I would wait for the ferry even though I could go through the tunnel it is such a unique and scenic experience. If you are not in a hurry take the boat! You can also walk around outside the terminal building there is a neat mishmash of regional airport businesses operating out of the hangers and FBOs. Feels like an international and dinky regional combined.

[@johnelliott5859]

Have flown Porter many times. Appreciated their competition with AC. You know when you fly into Billy ishop fro the west it's going to be an interesting landing.

[@topbismarck7175]

I remember when I flew the Q400 quite a lot with Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines. I used to get bored flying them all the time but now that I look back at it, I honestly loved it. Sad to see them go, but the E175 is a pretty nice upgrade. This flight brought back some memories, good video as always!

[@PLANEMANIA747]

Propeller view 😍 Beautiful video ❤

[@ice711real]

Thanks! View sure was class.

[@YouandIweremeanttofly]

Planemania I knew I would find you here LOL 😄

[@stevewarrick4402]

I recently flew on Porter Reserve from YYZ to YVR and back when they had a 20% off Reserve deal. Extremely enjoyable 5 hours. What a fabulous airline.

[@jackyyuen1939]

Have heard of Porter before, but never have a chance to fly with this airline. Thank you very much for sharing this great video.😋😋

[@ice711real]

My pleasure!

[@dbrianhoyt]

I have flown Porter several times times from New Brunswick to Toronto. Friendly staff and Toronto City Airport is just 15 minutes drive from my son’s house.

[@Aleksandar6ix]

I flew Porter to Midway and back in 2017 on my way to EAA AirVenture. What a memorable experience it was! I get to go on another Q400 again soon, but this time WestJet from Calgary to Edmonton, from where I'll be on Porter's E195 back to Toronto! Great airline.

[@ice711real]

Nice man! I’m lucky to live so close to EAA haha

[@annamariaclaudia548]

We are planning to visit Chicago this summer... you have convinced us to fly with Porter!

[@sh4dic___]

wow! this looks like a pretty cool expierience, i think i would like to try flying on porter airlines. keep up the good work ice!

[@AllanThormanAviation]

best aviator in history: ice711 first place

[@christhorman2042]

TRUE

[@oweinerthegreat-ko8cz]

TRUE

[@Rammmer]

Newark to Ottawa because United couldn't get a plane in. Excellent and I highly recommend Porter. Their prop planes De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 really set you back in your seat during takeoff.

[@SWA3135]

Porter seems good. The glasses that the drinks come in are a really nice touch EDIT: only some flights have the glass cups for drinks

[@kittehsezmeow]

Watching these types of videos makes me want to fly a plane again! Can't wait for the next trip report :)

[@timmellin2815]

I love these plane videos. When I was working, I'd fly often, taking 4 days or so and attaching them onto a weekend for a quick getaway. About 6 yrs. before retiring, I lost my wanderlust: "been there, done that." Now retired, I prefer to stay home. I can watch videos like this instead and not go throught the hassle & cost of flying and then being in a strange place. Plus, an illness can ruin a trip and make it a waste of money and time. I got lucky...I was never sick when I travelled all those years; so now I don''t want to push my luck.....I'll stay home. Cheers....tm

[@betty5064]

I have used Porter since they opened. One way to judge an airline is what happens when things go wrong. The one time it happened to us, the plane in Toronto had a technical issue. Enough of the area was fogged in to make a replacement impossibe. Everyone got face to face apologies. People who lived in the city got a ride home and back the next day, by taxi, and us from outside, we got a night in the King Eddie hotel, and food vouchers. We all got a chance to change return arrangements and each got one way fare in credit. And you can always hear the announcements on the Island airport. love it.

[@GageTucker-of2wd]

Love the propeller shots tough❤😊

[@mpare49]

I have had many occasions to fly with Porter out of Ottawa and Toronto. Their service has always been excellent.

[@Calebs_Aviation]

I have heard of Porter before, and I am eager to try them someday! I have heard nothing but rave reviews however I hope to fly their newer Embraer E2 jet but maybe also fly there Dash 8 turboprop too! I love all the aspects of any aviation company, including all of their fleets! Also, I will be visiting Canada this summer and I hope to see a Porter E2 this summer while I’m plane spotting! 😅

[@alpinair09]

Why do I always have feeling I'm watching some kind of document about plane crash because of the displayed time? But I really enjoy those videos, keep it up! You're doing amazing job ;)

[@ice711real]

Lol thanks mate

[@AnAvgeek]

7:11 its actually pretty nice to get a view of the landing gear closing while you're inside the plane, you can't do that on regular commercial airliners

[@ice711real]

Very true! Something I made sure I had the right seat for when I booked this flight.

[@general682002]

I've flown with Porter in the past and I always enjoyed flying with them!

[@SoosyBookah]

Wow! I love the airport vibe!

[@FastGuy1]

You should definitely try their E195-E2’s I think they are the only airline in North America that fly them

[@Coasterpostalt]

Wow, maybe I'll take porter if I ever need a flight to Canada! Thanks for the info!

[@ice711real]

I’ll note that they are fairly cheap as well, thanks for watching!

[@konigstephan]

First time here, great video overall. Subscribed!

[@ice711real]

Thanks for the sub! Many more reviews like this one to come soon :)

[@thecaynuck]

I'm on the East Coast of Canada and Porter is awesome! Their Dash 8's are some of the best configured Dash 8's I've been in and the new Embraer E2's are great, I got auto-upgraded at the gate so got to fly in PorterReserve. Great service. I'm shocked many West Coasters haven't heard of it, but they are expanding their route network out there. I'd take Porter over Air Canada and WestJet. Toronto Billy Bishop airport has amazing landing/takeoff views. Didn't know they flew to Chicago Midway.

[@condor001]

I had my first flight on a Q400 from Eurowings. It was quite an interesting experience and something very unique as a german to not have your first flight to Palma de Mallorca and not on an A320 or 737 but a turboprop!

[@AirShark95]

Flew them from Ottawa to Toronto Pearson on the new E2s. Very comfortable for such a short flight. Those E2s are the quietest jets I have ever been on, and the inclusion of free-wifi is a very cool amenity. I would totally consider flying them on longer flights.

[@huntersC00lanimations]

I love porter because they upgraded me to business class all for free

[@wilfredbruce5327]

Years ago, I rode on Porter from Moncton New Brunswick to Ottawa Ontario and found it fairly fast and efficient. Most likely the Dash 8 Q400 has turned out to be s very cost effective aircraft. I believe that the Island Airport finally has the tunnel open finally after years of wrangling. The only aircraft allowed on the Island are turboprop only with the exception of medivac jets.

[@AnAvgeek]

3:12 that sucks, its just nice when you can relax (sorta) and look at planes

[@ice711real]

It does suck! No idea the point of that.

[@iamalexplaysrobloxofficialyt]

best aviation youtuber ever

[@Persondude17]

Not the best but one of the best

[@ThatOneLegoPlaneDude]

@@Persondude17true

[@Planenerd214]

Yeah

[@SwizzolanRepublicYT]

Porter is a really nice airline! If this is supposed to be low-cost, spirit has a LOT of catching up to do lol

[@joshg72826]

Flying into Billy Bishop is a nice view when clear. Also, the restrictions on jets landing @ Billy Bishop, is not primarily due to the runway length but rather noise abatement. Plenty of smaller business jets can/could use that airport but they cannot due to the noise restriction. They are also trying to extend the runways length but that's mainly due to the regulation for longer safety margin changes across all airports which would shorten the usable length when it comes into effect.

[@Ian_Schneider]

Another great video 👍

[@konggg]

Wow! A low cost airline based in Canada that doesn’t cost $1,000 for one seat! We have to try this!

[@ImEric1606]

Nice video!! Dash 8s are awesome

[@MrOreo390]

The Dash 8, One of my fav planes, And my fav airline using it was Flybe, the purple livery, Cuz you can see on the prop engines “Faster than road or rail”

[@braedenolds]

i'm so happy when he uploads

[@ice711real]

:)

[@AviationLoverIndonesia]

Great trip report as always 😎👍

[@YouandIweremeanttofly]

Excellent video. I am a frequent flier with Porter, both on their Q-400's and new E-190 jets. The service is by far better than Air Canada or Westjet.

[@GregCurtin45]

Great video, too bad you were on the wrong side of the plane but it was still great to watch the landing gear. Thanks for all your time given to film, edit, and add subtitles. #PorterAirlines #Porter #Dash8

[@ice711real]

Thanks for watching!

[@aboutplanes]

13:48, The skyscrapers view is unreal

[@ice711real]

Sure is!

[@AidenLegends10]

Porter airlines is heavily underrated. Whenever I travel i always try to book a flight with them. They also are a small airline to so it can be tough! If you are flying into Billy Bishop airport you should book a day time flight! It’s so cool

[@GusBrawler]

Yes it is Canada’s best airline! When I flew them all went smoothly!

[@ahmetadam-fe9vm]

I have a porter airlines flight a month from now. I'm excited because as far as i know e195 e2's are comfortable and their seats are wide. Also another youtuber said that it's a good airline. I'm gonna edit the comment after the flight to write my review :D

[@rangerrick8220]

Lived in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) alot of my life and never flew commercially out of the Island Airport. You should go in the summer and check out Centre Island. I remember when there was no tunnel connecting the island to the mainland - only a small ferry. Good video - thanks!

[@Sensist2002France]

GTA 5?

[@lorneheise5767]

They are flying Embraer 175 Jets now and are expanding. Florida flights from Toronto Pearson. Excellent value clean and friendly. The best!

[@Your_Local_Nerd]

saving this comment so i can edit it once i fishish watching the video to share my thoughts edit: really nice video, and the sound quality made it sound like i was really at the airport at some parts

[@ice711real]

Lol

[@TheGammingPie]

I actually never flew on a turbo prop before always wanted too the Saab 340 is one of my favorite aircraft

[@arcticflying]

The "hard landing" is almost routine with the Dash 8 and Q400. These are known to be kind of difficult to grease in. Thanks for sharing this video, cheers from Quebec.

[@ice711real]

Kinda forgot about that actually, you’re right. Thanks for the comment!

[@Airliner_Aviation]

Absolute fire vid fr even though it is simple i do love it

[@ice711real]

Thank you, sometimes simple is just better!

[@Airliner_Aviation]

Yes indeed it is!

[@Rustytoolgardener]

Porter is the best I’ve experienced in a long time. I just hope they keep their prices down. Service was phenomenal .

[@vilkosozansky8581]

Another perfect video❤❤❤❤ Love this 8:35 view

[@RealFlare318]

Eyy a Porter trip report! They are definitely the best airline in Canada

[@ice711real]

They’re surely climbing the ranks, thanks for watching

[@SD.Aviation-ys1ei]

I have also started 2 discord servers to check out to play flight sim, drawing challenges and more!

[@elizabethappleton3667]

Porter is a Canadian airline operating since 2006. If you check their website you’ll see that they operate in many Canadian and American cities.

[@SD.Aviation-ys1ei]

We all appreciate the content!

[@Sheikh_tom123]

Bro the turbo prop is insane love vids like these 8:03 😊and I’m waiting for aviation art vidsss :)

[@legnosobalu]

I went in Paris from FLR to ORY on a vueling a319, at manchester with ryr 737 and I went to munich with tirolean fokker 70. I love going on planes and Ilove this channel ❤✈️

[@Rndmstff737]

I flew with them way back around 2018 they haven’t changed much on their service to Chicago with the dash 8s. By far one of my favorite airlines though!

[@kitkat_the_avgeek]

i’ve had a flight with porter from YTZ to YQB about a month ago. it was one of my best experiences with a small airplane like the Dash 8

[@kitkat_the_avgeek]

✈️

[@DiamondSwordGamingYT]

Porter airlines is an amazing airline! i recommend trying a longer flight with them so you can fly on one of their e195s! they are amazing!

[@andrewisvrycool]

Ya their amazing! I just flew the e195 for a flight that was almost 6 hours on porter a few weeks ago and it was really comfortable. I did pay the extra for extra leg room and it was defenitely worth paying for. The food was not very good but I suppose thats okay lol

[@WanderingCanadian1]

I've been eager to try Porter. Next time I fly to Toronto I plan on booking with them

[@cprgreaves]

In response to your question I answer "Nowhere near it. Yet". On Wednesday, October 18, 2017 our flight from St.John's scheduled to take off at 15:25 was pushed back at 16:00 and docked in Toronto at 23:40. Do the math. I could have flown Paris to Toronto in less time!

[@Glorywings]

Porter seems like a great competitor to airlines like air Canada and Westjet. I can’t wait to see them expand to larger aircraft.

[@CheekyFutbol333]

Great vid, love porter airlines and fly them when I can. The only pain in the rear-end is they fly out of the Toronto downtown airport

[@marklittle8805]

Not a great thing if you have to transfer (but there is a train direct to YYZ). But for many, most people want to stay downtown as tourists or for business and for that; the island is perfect.

[@iron___]

I fly Porter a lot and though their prices are not much different than other Canadian airlines (WestJet, Air Canada) their in flight service is significantly better. It's rare to get snacks and drinks (including alcohol) on the house multiple times on one flight. (These were flights between Toronto and western Canada, which are about 4 hours long, so not turboprop planes)

[@spooky6033]

Cool description 😊 I like the 13+ next to the discord linfk

[@ice711real]

THANKS FOR READING THE DESCRIPTION BECAUSE NO ONE DOES ❤️❤️❤️ and yes we can’t be having them (dare I say) (**underages**) 😳😳😳 trigger warning

[@Luxov.]

Nice video!

[@AllAmericanPlaneSpotter-iw4wm]

This is my fav airline

[@elpiloto100]

In additional to the tunnel at CYTZ, there's also an option of taking the world's shortest ferry (or one of the shortest) from the island to downtown! There's no fee for the ferry either.

[@ice711real]

I would’ve taken the ferry if it weren’t for the snowstorm haha. I’ll take it next time!

[@The_German_Gripen]

I actually have a friend living in torornto, so this is nice to see

[@LowStarsJZX]

bro i would love to fly on the Dash 8 fr

[@ThatOneKidVr-sh1no]

i love ice711. he was my first aviation youtuber. on my old acc i was subbed sence 1k subs

[@lontarian2228]

Well done... Great video ! Though it makes me sad that Canadian aeronautic industry is disappearing. Porter was supposed to fly the Bombardier CS-100 series but never got the approval from the city of Toronto, then it got sold to Airbus, and now they will be flying Embraer planes very similar to the CS-100/A220.

[@ice711real]

Thanks for watching! I would’ve loved to see a Porter a220, pity…although the Embraer is cool.