YHM to Where?

Where you can fly from Hamilton is always changing. Porter is now flying to four Canadian cities and the airport has just unveiled its renovations.

Looking to travel more within Canada this year? Who isn’t? That just got a little easier for Hamilton residents, and fans of the calm and convenient Hamilton International Airport (YHM). Porter airlines recently announced that it will be offering daily flights to four major Canadian cities: Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (HYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) from the Mount Hope airport. 

Yes, Hamilton to Vancouver – direct. Granville Island and more just got closer. The coastal flights have begun and Calgary and Edmonton begin June 11. 

And the news gets better because anyone who is a fan of Porter Airlines – and if you’ve flown out of the Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto, you likely are – knows its not-so-secret secrets. Flying Porter is a stress-free experience. The company’s easy-going vibe, along with reasonable pricing, complimentary wine and beer and free premium snacks makes its flights friendlier. Frequent flyers, and even occasional flyers, appreciate not being nickel-and-dimed once on the plane. 

However, like all airlines now, features such as extra leg room, meals, and checked bags are add-ons if you opt for PorterClassic fares. The higher priced PorterReserve fares come with all the perks including a dedicated check-in line and two checked bags. Remember, however, that Porter planes have rows of two seats only – so no middle seat. Really, there’s no need to pay for seat selection.

The addition of Porter comes alongside the unveiling this week of renovations at HIA.

Exterior and interior enhancements include and expand canopy over the curb, a new large YHM marquee sign, a refresh of terminal interiors from check-in counters to gate seating and baggage claim, new digital signage, phone charging stations, lighting upgrades, more natural light, and upgraded architectural and design finishes that create a local sense of place.

The renovations come after the signing of a 49-year management lease between the City of Hamilton and airport operator TradePort, a subsidiary of global airport operator Vantage Group in September 2024. That lease included a promise to invest $400 million in the city-owned airport.

The addition of Porter flights is good news after Icelandic airline, PLAY, announced earlier this year that as of June, it will cease flight operations YHM, after less than two years of operations there. (See launch coverage here). It’s unfortunate news for Hamilton but not devastating. The airline flew four flights per week to the capital of Iceland, where travellers could then connect to major European cities. 

Apparently, most travellers want to fly direct to major cities, which is a consideration when planning travel. Unfortunately, though, the loss of PLAY at the Hamilton airport means a loss of convenient and cheaper flights to many European cities. However, if Reykjavik, Iceland was your destination – a trip I highly recommend – direct from Hamilton was possible.

But it was not to be. However, those flying out of Hamilton to other Canadian cities now have more options with two of the country’s favourite airlines.

Porter Airlines joins WestJet Airlines at the Hamilton airport. WestJet, too, scaled down flights out of YHM in recent years. But, as of May 2025, WestJet will fly seven flights per week from Hamilton to Calgary. Hey, between Porter and WestJet, you should be able to get a great flight from Hamilton to the Calgary Stampede this year. 

Of course, whether you fly Hamilton to Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, or Vancouver – or WestJet to Calgary – you can always connect to other Canadian centres and end up in Regina, Saskatoon, Moncton, or St. John’s. Or, if international flying is still on your radar, you can catch your Toronto-based flight starting in Hamilton with Air Canada’s bus service from Hamilton to YYZ then onward to your flight.

Clearly flight options from YHM continue to change, but with the completion of renovations to the airport, more good news announcements for leisure travelers are hopefully on the horizon.