I guess I got the last cheap flight on Porter Airlines.
Loved the idea of using the island airport again to get to New York. I remember when you just taxied down to the ferry and walked out onto the tarmac. But that was before SECURITY.
I booked a return flight Toronto to Newark for $290.50 including all taxes. My outward flight cost $70 PLUS $72.50 taxes etc!
Great flight, very convenient, shot through customs etc in Newark, took train to NYC.
Told everyone this IS the way to fly to Toronto.
But when I arrived for my return flight a week later, I was told the 5.55pm flight was cancelled. The first excuse was “windy weather”. The second was that Newark Airport was “too crowded.” I guess they just dropped the flight because they didn’t have enough passengers.
Had to wait in the armpit airport and join the scrum for a 9 pm flight. Took me 7 hours from time I arrived at airport to home.
Today I checked Porter’s sked and prices and found that the flights I took would now cost $874!
I just thought I would add some clarity to your situation out of Newark.
Newark airport is a very congested and often heavily restricted airport for flying in and out of on a normal basis but if you add inclement weather enroute or at the airport itself it will heavily impact scheduled operations. I am sure porter airlines had cancelled your flight based on air traffic control restrictions that are out of the airlines hands and leaving at 9pm that day was probably the best option at the time.
I hope this helps!
That is a real problem with a small airline – simply no other flights within an hour or two to be bumped onto. should have flown Air Canada or another established airline with several flights daily. Turned out that your cheap flight cost you huge in time.
To clarify and satisy your curosity – why not check out the weather at the Toronto Island on that date and time.