News

Here's what I consider to be the biggest single downside to flying Porter Airlines' new service from Toronto City Centre Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport (which, for the record, is in New Jersey, not New York): There's no newsstand at which to buy gum, trashy magazines and an overpriced bag of trail mix.

Which is to say, there's really no downside whatsoever.

This will come as a major relief to frequent fliers who would like nothing more than to bypass Pearson International Airport, the necessary evil between the Big Smoke and the Big Apple.

The new airline may not be able to consistently live up to its pledge to "dramatically cut your total travel time," but having completed the Newark round trip this week, I was amazed by just how civilized cross-border air travel can be.

Monday marked the official commencement of the route - nearly 18 months after the airline made its maiden voyage to Ottawa. Last Saturday, president and chief executive officer Robert Deluce filled a plane with VIPs and media, treating them to an indulgent weekend in hopes of generating buzz and cementing loyalty.

Since announcing the route at the beginning of February, Porter has offered bargain-basement airfare ($129 one way) and taken out full-page newspaper ads (designed by Tyler Brûlé's uber-agency Winkreative) to break Air Canada's hegemony.

I wanted to know whether Porter could live up to its promise of "Bay Street to Wall Street in a New York minute." So I purchased a ticket for March 31 at 9:30 a.m.Porter pointer: The cheapest fares must be booked more than seven days ahead.

To put my anticipation in context, my history with this route has been fraught with awful experiences.

New York was already a popular destination in my family before I moved there for university. Since returning home in 2003, I have visited Manhattan at minimum three times yearly. With the exception of taking Jet Blue from Buffalo, I have tried every possible permutation of airline, airport and flight time in order to avoid delays, cancellations and outright frustration. And I know I'm not the only one.

What excites people most is the idea that Porter Air's flight will shave time off what can often be a seven-hour door-to-door trip. Not just because Porter planes leave from downtown, but because the airport is so much smaller and, therefore, easier to navigate.

An airport, however, is still an airport, and for those who live nearby, increased traffic - both in the air and on the ground - disrupts their quality of life. Five years ago, the issue was so intense that David Miller promised to do away with it altogether as part of his campaign for mayor. Although a proposed bridge to the island did not get approved, neighbouring residents continue to express their frustration with the noise and air pollution. At least for now, all the buzz is likely to drown them out.

My apartment is closer to the City Centre Airport than to Pearson, which meant that reaching the foot of Bathurst Street took half as long - 16 minutes by taxi - as the typical trip to Pearson.

Porter pointer: Don't attempt to use the automated check-in kiosks before boarding the ferry; they are not yet designed to accommodate U.S. flights. Should be in place by fall.

Because the ferry distance is so short, the ride is somewhat fun. It certainly beats deciding between the express and collector lanes on the 401.

For a two-day trip, I could have packed carry-on, but I wanted to check a bag to factor in all time variables. Losing luggage is unlikely to happen on Porter, given that it's the only carrier to operate out of the TCCA. The worst possible scenario is that your Newark-bound bag ends up in

Montreal.

With me on Flight 123 was Mr. Deluce, along with Port Authority president and chief executive officer Lisa Raitt and U.S. Consul-General John Nay, plus about 50 other passengers.

Porter pointer: Make sure to peruse the slick in-flight Re:Porter magazine. Again, credit goes to Winkreative for producing a visually appealing, informative and engaging travel resource that rates high on hip.

Once the plane was at cruising altitude, I joined the Porter prez for a chat. "Before we were even operating into Ottawa, people were asking about New York," he said, confirming that Boston, Washington, Chicago and Detroit are possible forthcoming destinations.

Porter pointer: The complimentary in-flight snack boxes - muffin and fruit cup for breakfast, mini-sandwich and veggies in the afternoon - are generous by today's standards, but better to grab the complimentary packages of tamari almonds and Walkers shortbread in the lounge.

To be sure, Porter has its skeptics; people have reminded me that Newark is referred to as the armpit of American airports and boasts a poor record for on-time departures.

Mr. Deluce says this won't apply to his airline. Porter flies only Bombardier Q400 ("Q" refers to quiet) turboprop planes, which are compact enough to use a runway that is prohibitively small for most planes. So the airline can take advantage of the "cross runway" between Newark's two major runways when there is congestion, while the larger aircraft are stuck in traffic. Unlike at Pearson, where travellers pass through U.S. customs and immigration before boarding, Porter passengers do this upon arrival in Newark.

As excruciating as the lines can be at Pearson, they have the potential to be worse at Newark because it's a gateway for international flights.

Mr. Deluce isn't willing to accept that Pearson's system is better, calling it a "pre-clearance misconception." Furthermore, anyone who has gone through the lengthy application process to get a Nexus cross-border pass can use the same dedicated lanes at Newark as in Toronto.

Porter pointer: Whenever possible, take morning flights outbound. At 11:30 a.m., we were the only people in Newark's airy immigration hall. In contrast, a friend who travelled in the afternoon told me she snaked through an hour-long line along with hundreds of people debarking from Europe.

The baggage carousel was hassle-free and I was out of the terminal by 11:38 a.m. There are trains to Penn Station every 15 to 20 minutes for $11.55 (U.S.) - cheap and without the risk of traffic gridlock. The caveat is that scoring a taxi outside Penn Station can involve prolonged waiting. I rationalized the $65 taxi directly into Manhattan by the money I saved back in Canada getting to the TCCA.

My total travel time was about five hours, and this included a brief weather delay in Toronto.

The return trip on Wednesday afternoon could not have been easier. I left my midtown hotel at 2:10 p.m. and arrived at my apartment before 6 p.m. Canadian immigration was a breeze simply because the only people in the line were my fellow passengers.

I had the chance to ask one, Meryle Mahrer Kaplan, about her first impressions. Turns out she is from New York and had been intrigued by the "striking" ads, knowing nothing about the airline.

Travelling to Toronto for an overnight work trip, she said she practically fell over when the check-in personnel told her there were no delays.

"When I asked if the plane was on time and they said, 'Of course,' I thought, 'What airline says, "Of course"?' " said Ms. Kaplan.

She also appreciated one of the many visual highlights, apples in vases placed on every countertop.

But without a doubt, the ultimate experiential moment was the descent into Toronto. Primo Porter pointer : Select

a C or D seat when flying into Toronto.

Once the plane passes over Buffalo, it crosses Lake Ontario toward the city's east end before hanging a left and flying alongside the downtown waterfront - green glass condos, Gardiner Expressway, CN Tower, financial skyscrapers, et al.

Manhattan has a magnificent skyline, but this would wow the socks off a first-time visitor.

*****

Fair fares

Porter offers two main pricing windows: seven or more days in advance, or within a week of the flight.

A week or more in advance, you are able to get the lowest fares, depending on availability for a particular flight. For example, the current lowest fare is $129 one way. A round trip at this rate comes to $361.41 with all charges included.

Within seven days, there can be some variability. For example, travelling today or this weekend (which is busy), you'll find the lowest base fares at $603 one way (total $1,356.81), but for Tuesday or Wednesday next week, you're looking at $327 ($777.21).

Amy Verner

*****

0:00

Taxi arrives at downtown apartment. Light rain.

Start the stopwatch.

0:16

Arrive at terminal for check-in; most people are sharply dressed in suits.

0:36

Board ferry to Toronto City Centre Airport. Arrive at other side five minutes later. Far more enjoyable than the Allen Expressway.

0:52

Through security. Check-on baggage also goes through

the X-ray machine, but shoes - at least for now - can stay on.

1:11

Sitting in a lounge chair that feels every bit first-class with an espresso and some sliced fruit, a bonus for the official launch.

2:17

Passengers board, filling approximately 50 of 70 plush leather seats.

Plane takes off 11 minutes later. Attendants wearing uniforms designed by Canadian clothiers Pink Tartan hand out complimentary snack boxes.

3:51

Touch down at Newark Liberty International Airport, the 'armpit of America.'

4:06

Breeze past customs and immigration. Bags are already on the carousel.

4:11

Bargain with the taxi driver about a flat rate into Manhattan.

4:59

Arrive at Bergdorf's on Fifth Avenue for first shop of the day. Steady rain ruins straightened hair.