Porter Airlines Adding Austin and Chicago-O’Hare to North American Network

Business

Porter Airlines Adding Austin and Chicago-O’Hare to North American Network

2026-02-18 22:50 Last Updated At：02-19 00:17

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 18, 2026--

A new destination in Austin, TX, plus an updated presence in Chicago at O’Hare International Airport are featured as Porter Airlines adds two airports and three routes to its growing North American network.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260218693761/en/

In Canada, new seasonal service between Ottawa and Deer Lake (YDF) begins June 10. This route complements existing flights from Toronto Pearson and Halifax.

Expanding Porter’s U.S. network are year-round flights between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Toronto Pearson, beginning May 21.

On Sept. 1, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) service to Chicago is moving from Midway (MDW) to O’Hare (ORD), providing travellers with access to the city’s primary airport and an increase of flight frequency to three per day. Porter has served Chicago from Billy Bishop since 2008, and passengers will now benefit from the new U.S. CBP Preclearance facility opening in the coming weeks at YTZ. Future connecting itineraries will also be enabled via O’Hare with partner airlines. Porter continues to build frequency and connectivity from Toronto’s downtown airport, providing more options for travellers than any other airline.

A summary of new destinations and routes follows:

On every flight, passengers enjoy Porter’s signature service, including no middle seats, complimentary wine and beer served in glassware and premium snacks. Routes operated with the new Embraer E195-E2 also have free, fast WiFi available for everyone.

These new additions to the network come shortly after Porter’s recent summer schedule announcement, which includes nine new routes, new destinations, added frequencies and the continuation of popular winter markets.

Full schedule details are available at www.flyporter.com.

Quotes

“Porter continues to offer more destinations and flights that complement existing schedules and connect travellers across North America through our hubs,” said Andrew Pierce, vice president, network planning and reporting, Porter Airlines. “Travellers want more options and, when flying with Porter, they receive an elevated level of care and service that makes getting there enjoyable and something to look forward to.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Porter Airlines as a new partner at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” said AUS chief executive officer Ghizlane Badawi. “Expanding international connectivity is a key priority for AUS, and we’re delighted to welcome this new nonstop service to Toronto, which will provide our travelers with more convenient options to connect for business, leisure, and beyond."

“On behalf of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, we welcome Porter Airlines to the busiest airport in the United States, the nation’s best-connected airport, and a rapidly growing hub for American Airlines, Porter’s new codeshare partner,” said commissioner Michael McMurray of the Chicago Department of Aviation. “We look forward to years of strong service from Porter, further strengthening the connection between two of North America’s greatest cities.”

“Expanding access to the nation’s capital supports our community, businesses, government travellers, and the tourism sector,” said Tammy Priddle, president and CEO, Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority. “Porter Airlines continues to demonstrate confidence in our market. This new route enhances connectivity for residents and visitors and aligns strongly with our long‑term air access objectives. Service to Ottawa provides enhanced access to Porter’s growing network throughout Canada, transborder and internationally.”

“Porter Airlines’ new nonstop service between Ottawa and Deer Lake is another strong vote of confidence in YOW and in our region,” said Susan Margles, president and CEO, Ottawa International Airport Authority. “With the most nonstop routes from Ottawa, Porter continues to expand meaningful connections, and we’re pleased to support this latest addition. The service strengthens Ottawa’s role in Porter’s network while giving travellers convenient access to western Newfoundland.”

"The Toronto Port Authority celebrates this important milestone for Porter Airlines, which strengthens Toronto’s connectivity with Chicago O'Hare International Airport, a key North American hub. Global connections out of Chicago are vital for Torontonians and the region, supporting both business and leisure travel. With U.S. preclearance set to launch at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, airlines will be able to serve destinations that were previously out of reach, creating new opportunities for growth, collaboration and improved passenger convenience. We congratulate Porter Airlines, a valued partner at YTZ, on this important achievement and look forward to the benefits it will bring to travellers and the local economy," said RJ Steenstra, president and CEO, Toronto Port Authority.

“Porter Airlines’ continued growth at Toronto Pearson is great news for travellers,” said Kurush Minocher, chief commercial officer, Toronto Pearson. “As Canada’s largest and busiest airport, we remain focused on providing passengers with more choice and greater connectivity. Porter’s expansion increases access to key markets like Austin and strengthens their broader network reach through Pearson, making it even easier for travellers to reach the destinations that matter to them.”

"We applaud the tremendous growth of Porter Airlines in recent months, creating even more opportunity for Canadians to experience the energy, vibrancy and appeal of the United States. Forecasts indicate that over 16 million Canadians will visit the U.S. in 2026. The new non-stop routes into the U.S. and service expansions underscore the importance of sustaining cross-border connectivity. We look forward to working with our airline partners like Porter and welcoming even more Canadian visitors to destinations across the country,” says Chris Heywood, senior vice president, public relations & chief communications officer, Brand USA.

About Porter
Since 2006, Porter Airlines has been elevating the experience of economy air travel for every passenger, providing genuine hospitality with style, care and charm. Porter’s fleet of Embraer E195-E2 and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft serves North America, including a coast-to-coast domestic Canadian network, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Headquartered in Toronto, Porter is an Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating®. Visit www.flyporter.com or follow @porterairlines on Instagram, Facebook and X.

US star Mikaela Shiffrin becomes 3-time Olympic champion with dominant slalom win

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin closed her eyes, gave a deep breath and took a big step back onto the top of an Olympic podium.

The American skiing standout was a gold medalist at the Winter Games once again — and she couldn’t quite believe it.

Shiffrin put in two dominant runs in gorgeous conditions amid the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to win the women's slalom by a massive 1.50 seconds, ending her eight-year medal drought at the Winter Games and showing why she is widely regarded as the greatest Alpine skier of all time.

In emotional scenes after the race, the 30-year-old Shiffrin was embraced by Camille Rast of Switzerland, who took silver, and bronze-medalist Anna Swenn Larsson before fighting back tears as she approached her mom and coach, Eileen, for a long, deep hug next to the finish area.

She also said she was thinking about her father, Jeff, who died at the age of 65 in an accident at the family home in Colorado in February 2020.

“This was a moment I have dreamed about — I’ve also been very scared of this moment,” Shiffrin said. "Everything in life that you do after you lose someone you love is like a new experience. It’s like being born again.

“And I still have so many moments where I resist this. I don’t want to be in life without my dad,” she added, her voice trembling. “And maybe today was the first time that I could actually accept this, like, reality.”

The victory made Shiffrin the first American skier to win three Alpine golds and was the third-largest margin of victory in a women’s Olympic slalom — the event she won as a fresh-faced teenager in Sochi in 2014 to underline her status as a skiing star.

Twelve years later, and having gone through so many highs and lows on and off the course, she delivered again in her favorite race as her skiing career came full circle.

“Maybe,” she added, “just today, I realized what happened in Sochi. It’s crazy.”

A the medal ceremony, she shook both of her hands as she was about to receive her gold medal, clearly overcome by emotion. When it was placed around her neck, she looked down at it almost in disbelief.

Maybe it was a release of all the pressure on Shiffrin after she failed to win an Olympic medal in eight races since adding gold and silver to her collection in Pyeongchang in 2018.

A nightmarish 0-for-6 performance in Beijiing was followed in Cortina d’Ampezzo this year by a fourth-place finish with Breezy Johnson in the team combined, in which Shiffrin placed 15th in the slalom portion, and an 11th place in the giant slalom.

It was fodder for the “keyboard warriors,” Shiffrin acknowledged, but she ignored all of them

That's all in the past.

Shiffrin has now won three golds and a silver at the Olympics to add to her record total on World Cup wins — it's 108 and counting, including 71 in slalom. There's also world titles in slalom (four), giant slalom and super-G to fill out arguably the greatest career in Alpine racing.

“In another league,” was how Larsson put it.

Shiffrin led by 0.82 seconds after the first run on a mostly flat course that Team USA officials described to her over the radio as a “high-tempo ripper.”

There was one wobble when she struck a gate and for a fraction of a second, it appeared she was headed for another Olympic disappointment.

Not this time.

She snapped back into form to post a time, in the No. 7 bib, no one could get near.

“When I saw one second (behind) after the first run," Rast said, "I was like, ‘OK, the gold is gone.'"

Shiffrin's second run was also smooth, getting through the tough top section without a hitch and pushing through the slower middle section. When she leaned forward to cross the line, Shiffrin had the largest margin of victory in any Olympic Alpine skiing event since 1998.

“I just wanted to feel those two runs — I'm proud but I'm also very grateful,” Shiffrin said.

“A big thing I've been working on with my team and my psychologist is, like, you have what you need within yourself. And I can't say that for giant slalom yet. I can't always say that in the start gate. But in the start gate today, I could.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics