What Are The Options For Air Travel Within Canada?

Many Europeans and Americans have noted the relatively high cost of air travel in Canada and the lack of truly discount airlines. Air travel is, indeed, generally more expensive in Canada than in the US, the UK and continental Europe. This is often due to Air Canada's monopoly over much of the domestic market, as well as the low load factor on many routes.

There are, however, some options for travellers looking to fly on domestic routes. Canada's two large airlines are Air Canada, the country's flag carrier, and WestJet, a discount carrier founded in 1996 and based in Calgary. Despite being branded a low-cost airline, prices on WestJet are sometimes only slightly lower than those on Air Canada. WestJet is strongest in western Canada, but it does also fly to eastern destinations, such as Toronto and Montreal, connecting these cities to Western and Central Canada.

In terms of in-flight service, WestJet and Air Canada do not offer any complimentary meals on flights. This has irritated many passengers, especially on 5 hour long Air Canada flights between Montreal and Vancouver. WestJet will serve complimentary light snacks and fruit juices, while Air Canada offers light snacks for sale.

For passengers travelling to regional destinations within eastern Canada, Porter Airlines can be a good option. Porter, established in 2006, prides itself as being a full-service, quality airline, despite flying only on short-haul, regional routes. Porter currently flies 10 times daily between Toronto's City Centre Airport and Ottawa, as well as 9 times daily between Toronto and Montreal. It plans on expanding its network by flying to regional US destinations later in 2007. Ticket prices on both routes start at $99, which is similar to prices on Air Canada. The difference, however, is that all passengers flying from Toronto may use Porter's airport lounge, which offers wireless internet, as well as free drinks and snacks, and in-flight meals include complimentary sandwiches and drinks on the 1 hour flights from Toronto to Ottawa and Montreal.

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