Porter Airlines Fleet Guide 2026: Complete Aircraft Analysis & Future Plans

Porter Airlines is an interesting new carrier that was founded and started operations in 2006. At the moment of its founding the airline was mostly a regional or short haul flight provider. However, over the years the airline has evolved significantly into an ambitious player in the North American aviation market. So, let's look at how Porter Airlines fleet is set up, which planes the carrier uses and what plans it has for the future.

Index: Porter Fleet Analysis

• Porter Fleet Size: 80 Aircraft
• Aircraft Types: Dash 8 vs E195-E2
• Why operate Turboprops?
• The E195-E2: A Game Changer
• Cabin Layout (No Middle Seats)
• Future Plans: The Road to 100 Jets

Porter Airlines Fleet Size: 80 Aircraft and Growing

Canadian airline Porter has quite a unique fleet composition. By no means is it a small operation considering it operates a total of 80 aircraft. They are all narrow body planes, however, for good reason as the airline in its operations has to deal with many different types of airfields. We'll delve into that deeper in just a little.

Porter Airlines Aircraft Types: Dash 8 Q400 vs Embraer E195-E2

There are clear and specific reasons to why Porter Airlines' fleet is structured the way it is. First things first, Porter has a 2 aircraft type fleet. The airline uses for all its flights the:

• DHC Dash 8 Q400
• Embraer E195-E2

The former is a turboprop aircraft while the latter one of the most advanced short to medium haul aircraft in the world. Quite an unusual combination if looked at without some context. So why is the Porter Airlines fleet structured this way?

Why Porter Airlines Operates Turboprop Aircraft

There are 2 reason for which the airline operated and operates this aircraft type:

• When the airline launched it had its operations based in Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport. Jet planes weren't and aren't allowed to operate from the city airport.
• The airline offers flight from and to secondary airfields that might be more suitable for a turboprop such as the Q400 in terms of passenger volumes and aircraft performance.

Therefore Porter Airlines still maintains a significant presence of Dash 8s in its fleet and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Porter Airlines E195-E2: The Aircraft That Checks All Boxes

Initially the jet aircraft Porter Airlines was interested in wasn't the Embraer E195 but the Bombardier CS100 (then to become the A220-100). However the plan to purchase that aircraft type fell through when plans to expand Billy Bishop airport were scrapped.

Only in 2021 did the airline finally commit to purchasing its first jet planes. By this time the airline's first choice had changed, preferring the Brazilian made E195-E2.

The jet is a perfect match for Porter Airlines. The E195 is the quietest plane available on the market and has one of the best fuel efficiency performances.

Its range allows Porter Airlines to operate flights across Canada and deep into the United States while remaining profitable. A perfect example is the Ottawa expansion in early 2026, where the E195-E2's range enabled nonstop flights to Miami and Phoenix – destinations previously out of reach for the airline.

The only drawback that the airline faced with the Embraer E195 was the fact that it couldn't base them at Billy Bishop Airport. As the first Porter E195-E2 arrived, the airline was forced to open a base at busier and more expensive Toronto Pearson Airport.

Porter Airlines Cabin Layout and Configurations

Both the Embraer E195 and the Dash 8 have a 1 class configuration, with 4 seats abreast in a 2-2 layout. Here are the specific configurations of the two Porter fleet planes.

Embraer E195

• 132 Seats. In a 2-2 layout throughout the cabin
• First 4 rows are sold as extra leg room seats, as PorterReserve.
• Next 5 rows are sold with more leg room seats, as PorterClassic

This is Porter's way of differentiating the comfort levels offered on its flights, creating pseudo-premium sections.

Dash 8

• 78 Seats. In a 2-2 layout throughout the cabin.
• First 2 rows are sold as extra leg room seats.

What Are Porter's Future Fleet Plans?

The airline is heavily invested in the Embraer E195-E2 project. In December 2025 it received its 50th aircraft of the type, and it still has plenty more on order.

Porter has a total order for 75 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with options for an additional 25 planes. This is the aircraft the airline is banking will fuel growth and drive it into its next expansion phase.

The turboprop aircraft will continue to be part of the fleet with the E195 being the the most important asset to unlock future growth.