Humane Air Travel

I appear to be having my first humane air travel experience in 10 years.

I am flying Porter airlines for the first time out of Toronto and I have to admit I was more than skeptical about this new alternative that avoids our crazy international airport located 40 minutes outside the city core.  But booking a ticket online at their website was crazy easy.  And there were all kinds of interesting options, like multiple travel passes, tickets that can easily be changed with only an hours notice and more. 

I left my downtown office 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to my flight's scheduled departure.  This is compared to the 3 hours I have to leave for an International flight out of Pearson.  I arrived at the ferry within 10 minutes and was whisked to the terminal where I was checked in and through security in less than 5 minutes.  Not one line.

Then I found myself in a wonderful lounge area with soft chairs, free iMac computer stations, more conveniently placed power outlets than I can shake my fist at, a fully stocked fridge full of an array of beverages free for the taking and an automated cappuccino machine serving up hot lattes to anyone who wants one.

The wireless internet is free.  The people are friendly and the place is clean.

I actually feel valued and special. And at a price that is hard to believe for a flight to New York.

Wow.

I will sign off, sitting in my comfortable chair and sipping my latte while I twitter and work away.  I am quite excited to see what the flight part of this journey is like.  For an organization that has put so much work into this part of the experience, I can only expect to be further amazed.

UPDATE:

Wow.  The flight totally lived up to expectations and THEN some.  Brand new planes and imagine my surprise when I was given a boxed meal AND a glass of wine, all on the house.  I've flown for 5 hours with no food on every other airline.  1.5 hours and a meal. And a glass of wine?  Insane!

Color me impressed.

Oh yeah, and my IDEO cards arrived.  Woot!