Flair moves to MCO

[ccudmore]

Not that I'd ever recommend flying them, but Flair has announced that they are moving their operations from Sanford (SFB) to Orlando International (MCO).
Last time I flew Flair they cancelled our flight home because they had mechanical problems and there was not mechanic available at SFB, and had to bring someone in from MCO... who brought the wrong part. So by the time they got the right part the crew had timed out. This move would hopefully be useful for that kind of issue.

 

[White Cat]

We have enjoyed good luck with Flair from SFB to Kitchener. Too bad about the change, for us anyway. Of course those 2 small airports are easy to navigate and the flights were always full.

 

[Marek Zyskowski]

Flair is not an option from Montreal. We do have Air Transat that provides services to Orlando but the price is pretty similar to AC.

 

[bwr827]

For a vacation where time is money, to the extreme, I would not risk Flair.

 

[ccudmore]

Flair seems to have dropped their Ottawa to Orlando route for this upcoming fall/winter. I guess with Porter flying that route daily it's taken a lot of the business. WAAAYYYY nicer experience flying Porter.

 

[yowcruiser]

Flair seems to have dropped their Ottawa to Orlando route for this upcoming fall/winter. I guess with Porter flying that route daily it's taken a lot of the business. WAAAYYYY nicer experience flying Porter.

Not only Porter, but AirCanada is bringing back some capacity to YOW-MCO next winter. Not daily, but more frequent than what we have seen in year's past...and frankly, Porter is overdoing it with a daily flight. I have regularly been on YOW-MCO and weekend/Spring Break aside, this was rarely a sold out flight, even pre-COVID.

 

[ccudmore]

Related questions (since Porter flies into Terminal C): Is the TC experience more civilized than the crush at TA and TB? Are all the services there there that you need? Curious what to expect.

 

[White Cat]

Related questions (since Porter flies into Terminal 3): Is the T3 experience more civilized than the crush at T1 and T2? Are all the services there there that you need? Curious what to expect.

Terminal 3 is much easier at YYZ. There is no terminal 2.

 

[ccudmore]

Terminal 3 is much easier at YYZ. There is no terminal 2.

Oops I meant Terminal C (at MCO) (and Terminal A and B).

Looking for insight on MCO Terminal C.

 

[hdrolfe]

We used Terminal C for March break, it was further to walk, no fancy monorail, but we had chik-fil-a for lunch before the flight home It had a starbucks and a couple other places as well, seemed clean and new, easy to use.

 

[Lesverts]

Not only Porter, but AirCanada is bringing back some capacity to YOW-MCO next winter. Not daily, but more frequent than what we have seen in year's past...and frankly, Porter is overdoing it with a daily flight. I have regularly been on YOW-MCO and weekend/Spring Break aside, this was rarely a sold out flight, even pre-COVID.

Porter is reporting load factors in excess of 80% on all routes and haven’t dipped below 70% on any route since they acquired the E2s.

Terminal 3 is much easier at YYZ. There is no terminal 2.

I mean. Technically speaking there is the infield terminal which would be terminal 2 if they ever opened it to regular operations.

 

[ottawamom]

Related questions (since Porter flies into Terminal C): Is the T3 experience more civilized than the crush at TA and TB? Are all the services there there that you need? Curious what to expect.

I loved flying out of Terminal C at MCO. Getting through security was a breeze. Food options are more limited than A,B but they are adequate. There is a lounge (if that's the way you roll). It was a bit of a walk but I like to think of it as my pre-Disney workout or post Disney trudge back to reality.

 

[White Cat]

Porter is reporting load factors in excess of 80% on all routes and haven’t dipped below 70% on any route since they acquired the E2s.



I mean. Technically speaking there is the infield terminal which would be terminal 2 if they ever opened it to regular operations.

Yes but it’s not. My wife did get stuck sitting at that infield terminal for 3 hrs this past winter when Flare was unable to land at Kitchener due to a snow storm.

 

[White Cat]

Oops I meant Terminal C (at MCO) (and Terminal A and B).

Looking for insight on MCO Terminal C.

Well others have replied. Was only in it once and didn’t care for it. Mostly because I’m not used to it. A little further out for me. It’s now used as the new train station. It might be busier now than when others have used it months ago. But really you get what you get. But at YYZ we do try for terminal 3 if at all possible.

 

[White Cat]

Starting now we will use SFB Sanford to Niagara Falls NY and drive from there. Since Flair is done for now from SFB.

 

[ccudmore]

Porter is reporting load factors in excess of 80% on all routes and haven’t dipped below 70% on any route since they acquired the E2s.

Prior to the E2s they’d said they were break-even with a 49%LF which is remarkable. Hopefully the numbers haven’t changed with the new equipment. They must have got a sweetheart deal with Embrair

 

[Lesverts]

Prior to the E2s they’d said they were break-even with a 49%LF which is remarkable. Hopefully the numbers haven’t changed with the new equipment. They must have got a sweetheart deal with Embrair

With how bad the E2 is selling and how quickly they got the jets I'd think so. There are some weird size and load laws in place in the US that has really suppressed their sales to the regional American carriers (the ones that fly as delta connections, american eagle etc). The A220 is out-selling it like 3 to 1.

Terminal C is why I'll generally stick to AC for Orlando. I like the old terminal and the feelings and memories of the place.

 

[ccudmore]

Those of us at YOW are just happy to have regular reliable direct flights.

 

[ccudmore]

Looks like AC is really going after Porter. AC announced today free wine, beer and premium snacks on all domestic and trans-border flights this summer. I wonder where they got that idea? Hmmm...

 

[Lesverts]

Looks like AC is really going after Porter. AC announced today free wine, beer and premium snacks on all domestic and trans-border flights this summer. I wonder where they got that idea? Hmmm...

AC is also trying to ramp up using YVR/YYZ/YUL as transit ports to the USA as well. Trying to capitalize on generally having a better reputation than AA and United especially.