Porter Airlines Baggage Fees: How to Save Money

Porter Airlines, a Toronto-based airline, has been around for 17 years but has recently re-branded and expanded as they look to capture a greater share of the Canadian aviation market. As they continue to add routes, you might find yourself on Porter Airlines sooner rather than later, especially as more people continue to discover their elevated economy experience.

Let’s take a look at Porter Airlines, their baggage fees, and how you can save money on baggage for your next Porter flight.

Porter Airlines Overview

Porter Airlines is a Canadian airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Porter flies across North America, with a greater focus on the East Coast but is slowly expanding out West.

Porter Airlines offers an elevated economy class experience called PorterClassic which includes only window and aisle seats, free in-flight WiFi, complimentary beverages including beer and wine, and complimentary snacks. If you are interested in an even more elevated experience, PorterReserve is available and offers a more premium airport experience in addition to upgraded complimentary in-flight food and drink selections.

Porter Airlines Cabin Baggage Fees

All passengers on Porter Airlines are eligible to bring one personal item at no cost. On the other hand, almost all passengers are also able to bring a piece of carry-on luggage free of charge; the only exception is that PorterClassic Basic fares do not include cabin baggage but you can bring one personal item.

Personal items have no weight restrictions but must have a maximum size of 13” x 17” x 6”. Personal items can include things such as a briefcase, purse, small backpack, camera bag, laptop bag, or small garment bag. Personal items are typically stored under the seat in front of you during flight.

For those customers who are flying on Porter Airlines on any fare other than a PorterClassic Basic fare, all customers are eligible to bring one piece of standard carry-on baggage. 

While carry-on baggage has no weight restrictions, these pieces of luggage do have a size allowance of 21.5” x 15.5” x 9”. Many pieces of luggage that are marketed as carry-on bags are bigger than these sizing restrictions, so ensure you measure your baggage before flying with Porter Airlines.

Cabin baggage may be sized at the check-in area and boarding areas, and if determined to be oversized, may be required to be checked for a fee. All carry-on items must be able to be stowed under the seat or fit in the overhead bins.

Porter Airlines Checked Baggage Fees

Porter Airlines charges a fee for each checked bag that is added to a passenger’s reservation unless the passenger is flying on a specific fare class or holds service with VIPorter.

Customers traveling with checked luggage must adhere to the maximum weight of 50lbs per bag and the maximum sizing of 62” per bag (meaning bag length + width + height). The majority of pieces of checked luggage should easily fall within these sizing requirements.

Checked baggage fees will vary depending on your route as well as how the fee is paid. If you are not on a fare type that offers a complimentary checked baggage allowance, paying for your checked baggage in advance of arriving at the airport will result in the lowest price.

All checked baggage fees are non-refundable except when a flight booking is canceled within 24 hours of purchase or if the baggage is damaged or delayed.

How to Save Money on Porter Airlines Baggage Fees

Since there are no charges for carry-on luggage on Porter Airlines, there are a number of ways you can receive free checked luggage on Porter Airlines, including purchasing specific fare types or holding status with VIPorter.

While the below ideas will result in “free” checked baggage, the other option is always to travel lightly. Consider if you need a checked bag for your vacation, and if you are looking to upgrade your travel, check out our Frugal Luggage Guide before you make your next luggage purchase.

Book a PorterClassic Flexible or Freedom Fare

Porter Airlines has two fare types or fare classes that include one free checked bag: PorterClassic Flexible and PorterClassic Freedom. Since these fare classes come with additional perks over the PorterClassic Standard fare, the cost is also increased.

Always compare the additional cost of these fare types against the standard fare type to determine if it would be cheaper to pay for a piece of checked baggage outright. These fares also come with additional benefits and perks, such as waived change fees, so it would be up to you to determine the value of those benefits depending on your travel needs.

Book a PorterReserve Fare

If you want to splurge and want an experience that is closer to WestJet Premium or Air Canada Business Class, look no further than booking a PorterReserve fare.

PorterReserve is the premium fare type of Porter Airlines and comes with a number of benefits including a seat at the front of the plane with extra legroom, a free baggage allowance in the form of two free checked bags, a better airport experience with dedicated check-in, boarding, and security, plus premium meal and liquor options.

Of course, booking a PorterReserve fare comes at an increased cost. While I wouldn’t recommend booking this fare type for the two free checked bags alone, if you are interested in the other perks as well, PorterReserve can be a great way to elevate your next Porter Airlines experience.

Have Status with VIPorter

If you have traveled with Porter Airlines in the past or will be traveling with them in the near future, ensure you sign up for their loyalty program, VIPorter.

VIPorter status is earned by flying with Porter Airlines and has five levels of status. Those who rise through the ranks to the VIPorter Venture, VIPorter Ascent, or VIPorter First levels will receive at least one complimentary checked bag on all flights.

While I wouldn’t chase status with Porter Airlines simply for the checked baggage, if you fly with them frequently and/or are located near their hub, it would be worth looking into if this is obtainable so you can benefit on all future flights.

Conclusion

Porter Airlines brings some much-needed competition to the Canadian aviation industry, and with that, many customers will be flying Porter for the first time in the years to come as they continue to expand. Being aware of how you can avoid paying baggage fees on Porter Airlines can go a long way in keeping your travel costs down.