WestJet, Porter take aim at New York

Calgary-based WestJet unveiled details of its new service into New York City on Friday and rival Porter Airlines countered by announcing increased service into nearby Newark, New Jersey.

WestJet said it would launch seven flights each business day between Toronto’s Pearson airport and LaGuardia starting June 4, increasing to eight on July 12.

WestJet announced in November it had successfully bid for eight slot pairs at LaGuardia.

Toronto’s Porter Airlines announced two additional business day flights from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, bringing its daily total to as many as 13.

One flight will be added on March 26 and the second on April 16, with additional weekend options beginning March 25.

Both announcements targeted the business travel market.

WestJet’s described LaGuardia as the airport "preferred by business travellers," while Porter’s release boasted that it was the only service between downtown Toronto and New York and which provided "the fastest available travel time between downtown Toronto and downtown Manhattan.

WestJet countered that its new service comes on the heels of a recently signed code-share agreement with Delta Air Lines, which will allow passengers to connect with Delta flights at LaGuardia U.S. network without additional security screening.

Toronto to New York is the largest transborder market from Canada.