Provincial Airlines (PB)
 

Anyone ever flown them (Yes, I've searched...)? As I was unable to get an award ticket in YDF next week, I booked into YYT, and will then catch a PB flight on a Saab 340 the next morning.

I was able to book online, but it looks like they don't do advanced seat assignments, and there's very little info on their site about check-in and gates. Granted, YYT looks to be tiny enough that it won't be too hard to figure out.

So, here's the verdict: Flew flight 901 this morning, which was a very, very well used 340 with miniscule legroom. Didn't catch the tail number, but this plane had to have been 20+ years old. That aside, check-in was very pleasant and extremely easy. PB uses the ground level gates at YYT, which I believe are 5-8, at the far right after exiting security. The FA was almost too nice, if that's possible.

Boarding for the 25 or so pax took maybe 10 minutes and we were shortly underway. Service on this 70 minute flight included a hot towel, snack basket, 2 drink services, and a candy tray prior to landing. I can't remember the last time I saw that in Y, although the flight was $660.

AC was running the same fare, but on a B1900. No thanks, I'll skip the miles on this one.

Overall impression: Great service but fairly awful equipment. I'd definitely fly them again, though, if I happen to return to NL.

Postscript: Return flight to YYT was just cancelled, but they actually bothered to rebook me for the last flight of the day.

For what it's worth, I flew them between YYT and YYR a few years ago. Much cheaper (and more frequent) than AC. I had been skeptical of an airline that uses paypal for its ticketing, but overall I was pretty favorably impressed with the service. I was also amused at the section on the way back between YBX and YAY, which is maybe 10 minutes long.

AC used to fly Dash-8s from YAY-YBX in the era when booze was free. They always managed to find time for at least 1 drink service...

FWIW Saab 340's that I've been on have greater leg room in the back and it's quieter there. A lot of airlines use them.

I've flown them with US in the past, mainly MHT-LGA when the service still existed. They're a pretty basic prop-job, and livable for an hour or two. It looks like the one that flew me back from YDF (C-FPAG) was originally delivered to Comair in 1985. Their other 340 (C-FPAI) was also a former Comair plane delivered 1985.

Still beats a B1900D any day of the week.