I’ll let you in on a secret: I am terrified of flying.

Rational, no, but present none-the-less; and a continual nuisance if I want to go anywhere outside of Southern Ontario.

So I approached reviewing Porter’s new service to Manhattan via Newark, NJ with some trepidation. I would be traveling with my boss, which meant intoxication or consumption of Xanax (either of which is the usual default) was out of the question – at least if I wanted to remain employed.

Yet Porter lulled me into a sense of calm I rarely feel when traveling. It began in the departure lounge. Instead of the usual pleather chairs, refrigerated, shrink-wrapped bagels, and bad coffee, Porter has extended its mandate to cater to the business traveler beyond the airplane and into the waiting area. Modern, cushioned, living room-style leather chairs were a welcome respite for the 6 a.m. traveler – as was the espresso machine, which made a fantastic latte. There was also a glass fridge filled with water and soda. All that was missing was the plastic trays and lines found in most other lounges. I admit that I felt slightly devious not paying my five-dollars-Canadian or four-dollars-American (still) for my bottle of water, or not having to scramble for the precious few copies of the morning paper other airlines hand out. There were copies for everyone.

I’ll let you in on another secret: I am a sucker for any marketing campaign that personifies animals.

Mr. Porter, the raccoon appearing on almost all Porter paraphernalia, is delightful. He’s there to make you smile: peering at you on your water bottle in snorkel gear, and on the food containers, eating the “p” and “r” leaving “orte” on the box. (Yes – Porter feeds you. Decently. For free.) He even made an appearance in the in-flight magazine, in a picnic scene which announced that “Mr. Porter likes nothing more than dining al fresco.” Touché.

Mr. Porter also managed to distract from the fact that the plane has propellers; again, something that generally makes me break into a cold sweat. “You’ll love it,” a friend had said in reference to flying without a jet engine. “It’s like the ‘Golden Age’ of air travel, when people used to get dressed up to fly.” I was skeptical. (At 25 – my friend’s memory does not extend to said “Golden Age.” I too saw Catch Me If You Can, and this did not make me an expert.) The propellers are the one part of the experience of flying Porter that’s lacking: They’re noisy. Still, little touches more than compensated: plenty of leg room, leather seats, friendly flight attendants, and actual glasses for your beverage. “I’m surprised they have these,” said my boss. “Couldn’t you use this as a weapon?” Probably something you aren’t supposed to say while in mid-air, especially to a paranoid travel companion. Yet it was a good point. I thought glass was only a distant memory from an era past where you were permitted an actual knife to cut your mystery meat.

Once in Newark, it’s only a 30-minute train ride into New York’s Penn Station. Considering the traffic out to LaGuardia and the nightmare location of JFK, the Jersey route isn’t a bad idea. Even with the new FAA restrictions, Porter will still have six return non-stop flights per weekday departing from Toronto City Centre Airport to Newark’s Liberty International (as opposed to the original seven). On the return route, flying in next to the Toronto skyline beats flying in next to Mississauga warehouses and subdivisions. Hopefully, condo developers on the city’s waterfront understand the benefits of soundproof glass.

Though the little raccoon tried his hardest, I still have my reservations about flying. And Porter is not always the cheapest option: It’s advertisements of $99 fares one way are pretty much on par with the competition, and depend largely on advanced booking, as with most airlines. But Porter makes it easier, more comfortable, and far more pleasant than anything I’ve experienced recently. And with all the business men in suits, you might think for a moment you’ve traveled back to a time when flying was indeed an event in itself.

NEW YORK IN A FLASH

Only have 6 hours to spend in Manhattan? Fear not:
New York encourages fast-paced cultural (or mindless) immersion. Here are 4 things to do:

1. Visit Century 21 Department Store. If you like high-end shopping and can handle warehouse-like conditions to score a deal, this is your fashion outlet. Racks of every brand of designer denim are a highlight.
www.c21stores.com

2. Eat a burger at the Union Square Cafe. You could go for something fancier and equally delicious (like the snap pea salad with mint and pecorino), but it's hard to find summer's favourite this medium rare in Toronto.
www.unionsquarecafe.com

3. Enlighten yourself at MoMA's Brown Bag Lunch Lectures. Pick up a sandwich to go at a nearby cafe, and enjoy an expert lectur on contemporary art. (Lectures are Monday and Thursday only.)
www.MoMA.org

4. Fly Porter by calling 1-888-619-8622.