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  About Washington

Washington DC, is the capital city of the United States of America. The city reflects the rich history of the United States with its neoclassical monuments and iconic locations. The place will keep you engaged with its compelling slew of tourist attractions. As the capital of the United States of America, Washington DC has many traditional attractions with important museums and monuments. Make sure to visit all the Smithsonian American museums as they shed light on various cultural and historical significance of America.

Best time to visit Washington DC

Washington DC's summers are the peak season for travel. However, to steer clear off all the touristy crowd and to engage in some real fun, it is best to opt for spring and autumn. Summers in Washington DC are from June to August when the city experiences sweltering heat and a tremendous tourist crowd. Some of the fun events and festivals hosted by the city during this period include Capital Pride Parade, National Mall Fourth of July Celebration and Summerfest DC. While they may seem like enjoyable activities to participate in, the exorbitant prices of surviving a trip might pull you back. Although many locals ring in summers in other parts of the US, tourists might find Washington DC to be a tad bit expensive during peak season. Even hotel rooms in Washington DC are expensive. The months leading up to summer, though, are quite pleasant and even easy on the pockets. Spring brings with it the season of blossoms as the month of March begins with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Watching the cherry blossoms bloom is a trip and definitely worth experiencing. The city also witnesses the National Memorial Day Parade, another interesting festival to be a part of.

Maybe not summer but the season following summer in Washington DC is just as favourable for tourists. The autumn season is just next to perfection and definitely something all tourists would enjoy. The weather is exquisite and calm as the brisk winter air starts to slowly take over the city. Booking a hotel in Washington DC becomes cheap and affordable too as the summer crowd takes away the expensive tags. However, as many business travellers make their way into the city, the hotel deals might still be a hard snag unless you make prior hotel bookings in Washington DC. The city witnesses the H Street festival and Library of Congress National Book Festival during autumn. The cultural festivals with their historical significance only add to the experience one might take in during a trip to Washington DC. If you want to downscale your budget further, then winter is the best time to visit for you. The city streets freeze up while the temperature ranges between 5 degree Celsius to 7 degree Celsius. The perks, though, are the slash in hotel room prices, which is a sweet deal if you want to experience winter in the city.

Places to visit in Washington DC

The first thing to check out would undoubtedly be the Lincoln Memorial. The location would make quite a postcard-worthy click with Honest Abe's memorial in the background. Next, you can visit Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials, popularly referred to as 'the Wall', which has names of all the Americans who succumbed to the Vietnam War. Just around the Lincoln Memorial is the beautiful Tidal Basin, a must-visit, especially during spring. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is a treasure trove which celebrates exquisite aircraft, including Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B and Wilbur and Orville Wright's 1903 Wright Flyer, to name a few. It is a fascinating place and would certainly pique your interest. The city also has the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum which showcases the atrocities faced during the World War II. Do not miss the National Gallery of Art and The White House and the Washington Monument.

Things to do in Washington DC

Majority of the things that you can do in the city pertain to some of the sightseeing. Washington DC is recognised to be the city with a plethora of historical monuments and a haven for American history. The city offers a peek into the country's history as well as important events. Aside from indulging in the past of the country, one of the things you should definitely do is get tickets to a show at The John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts. You can explore the US Capitol's Library of Congress to get more understanding of the politics. A picture next to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial also sounds like a good thing to do. You can also take a break from all the history lessons and head to 9:30 Club to relish some live music. The club has hosted many big bands, including RHCP and Nirvana.

Food and Restaurants in Washington DC

Washington DC's food culture is as diverse as the capital can get. There is an abundance of succulent eateries spread across the city. From piquant Spanish delicacies to oyster shots, there are many ethnic and global restaurants that will get your attention. Check out H Street Northeast, in the Atlas District to get some of the ethnic action as there are Belgian, Japanese and many more cultural kitchens. To get the sophisticated gourmet experience at an upscale restaurant, you can visit José Andrés' hotels such as Zaytinya and Oyamel Cocina Mexicana. Old Ebbitt grill and 1789 are also some lovely places where you will get the high-end fine dining experience. However, if you are on a budget, then opt for some eateries such as Ben's Chili Bowl and Good Stuff Eatery. These places have some signature dishes that you shouldn't miss at any cost. From lip-smacking burgers to rice bowls, the two joints offer an interesting palette of flavours in their meals that is worth all the money shelled out. Good Stuff Eatery's burgers are famous as they have been curated by chef Spike Mendelsohn.

Another major highlight to add to Washington DC's food culture are the farmer's markets in the city. Located in the District, a group of farmers huddle up to sell their fresh goods which come in all forms, colours and shapes. You'll find organic vegetables, healthy fruits and a colourful spread of goods at the market. It is a good place to get some of the fruity and healthy veggies action. Columbia Heights Farmers Market and FRESHFARM are two recognised markets that you should check out when in the city. Interestingly, the city also has lovely breweries and brewpubs, which came into existence in the recent past. However, the best way to enjoy the DC spirit would be to indulge in some brunch options. Tabard Inn, Kafe Leopold, Equinox, Cava Mezze, Juniper, Cafe Milano, to name a few, would be the best places to start your brunch rendezvous

How to reach Washington DC

Flight connectivity to Washington DC from India is quite decent but overpriced. There are no direct flights to Washington DC from India and layovers are the only way to reach the capital city. The demand for flights to Washington DC are not as much as for New York City or Chicago. Hence, the connectivity is also quite poor. There are only a handful of airlines that operate from India to Washington. Airlines such as United Airlines, Air Canada, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, to name a few, are the only ones that have flight services to Washington DC from India. There are no nonstop or flights to Washington DC from India, and usually, a layover or connecting flight is the only way to go. The United Airlines has flight connectivity to Washington DC from Newark. Many of the flights use the international route of Newark to reach Washington DC. Emirates is the only other airline that stops at Dubai for a layover before flying to Washington DC. Cathay Pacific also has flights to Washington DC from Delhi. Mostly, the connectivity is only from the Dubai and Newark international routes to reach Washington DC. The popular route to Washington DC often chosen by travellers is from Newark

Travellers require a transit visa to enter the USA and to reach Washington DC. Since the flights have connectivity from Newark, the non-immigrants are required to show a transit visa to let the authorities know that you are just taking a connecting flight to a different destination. A transit visa is a type 'C' visa where basically, you need to show at the Newark airport that you are just taking a connecting flight to Washington DC. To acquire these, you could apply for them at the American embassy, or you can do it online. The provisions are faster online and would be beneficial to you. The flight duration to Washington DC from India is approximately 17 hours, which is subject to change depending on the availability of flights. Do not expect cheap flight tickets to Washington DC. Not only is the capital expensive but even flight tickets to Washington DC is quite exorbitant. Even the accommodation is high-priced, and it would be best to make flight and hotel bookings to Washington DC well in advance to avoid expensive rates.

  About Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines is a Toronto-based regional airline. Its headquarters is located at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Their fleet is primarily made up of the Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft native to Canada. Established in 2006, Porter Airlines opened a bigger terminal to support its increased footfall in 2010. Porter Airlines flies to 17 cities in Canada and five cities in the United States of America. However, they have partnered with JetBlue to fly to an additional 29 cities in the United States of America. Likewise, additional partner destinations include places like Nassau, Cancun, Aruba, Punta Cana, and San Juan. Porter Airlines' frequent flier program is called VIPorter. Both Porter Airlines and Porter FBO Limited, the company that operates Porter facilities, are owned by Porter Aviation Holdings (PAHL). Porter Aviation Holdings used to be known as REGCO Holdings Inc. Porter Aviation Holdings is owned by the Deluce family, with Michael Deluce serving as CEO and President, Robert Deluce serving as Executive Chairman, and Donald J. Carty serving as Chairman. The Porter Airlines mascot is a cartoon raccoon called Mr Porter.

Fleet size

Porter Airlines operates with the Bombardier Q400, also known as De Havilland Canada Dash 8 or simply Dash 8. It is a turboprop-powered short-distance airplane. The plane is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 aircraft engines. The Dash 8 is the upgraded version of the Dash 7, which was a Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) aircraft. Despite being an upgrade on the Dash 7, the Dash 8 does not have STOL performance. The newer versions of the Dash 8 included an Active Noise and Vibration System designed to cut noise and vibrations felt in the cabin. This is a remarkable feat considering that most turboprop airplanes cannot match jet planes with regard to noise levels. The Dash 8 has a large T-tail and a higher-than-normal aspect ratio wing. The nacelles are long, while the nose profile is pointed. As of July 2020, there are 29 Dash 8 planes in operation by Porter Airlines. Each plane can accommodate between 74 and 78 passengers. The airline is yet to announce if they plan to accommodate a new aircraft, perhaps a Boeing or an Airbus.

Baggage allowance

The baggage allowance policy of Porter Airlines is a little different in comparison to its contemporaries, including WestJet. Customers can get up to two pieces of carry-on luggage for free. These must weigh no more than 9 kgs. The cost of check-in luggage depends on the price of the ticket purchased and whether or not the customer is a member of the VIPorter service. Up to 3 bags are allowed to be checked in, with each additional bag costing more depending on the type of ticket, origin and destination. Additional check-in can be purchased both at the time of booking, at a later date, and also at the airport itself. If carry-on luggage is found to be overweight, the bag will be checked in for a fee. Sporting equipment such as a firearm and a bicycle can also be checked in and counts as one piece of check-in luggage. Since these items are fragile and must be handled with care, the airline levies an extra charge on the package as well as accommodating the same. It is as good as getting a piece of extra baggage altogether. Pets are allowed in the cabin for a price. Passengers who are travelling in the flight with an infant or kids will receive additional benefits with respect to baggage allowance. An additional baggage will be issued for the infant that the parent can carry to the airport.

In-flight services

Porter Airlines provides a shuttle bus service consisting of 4 busses in Toronto, from the Royal York Hotel downtown till the airport. Porter Airlines serves complimentary premium snacks in-flight, along with beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Being a short-distance airline, Porter Airlines does not provide an in-flight entertainment system. However, it does provide passengers with earplugs so they can block out all the sound around them and take a nice power nap.

Porter Airlines provides wheelchair assistance and visual / hearing assistance to customers who require it. Service animals and emotional support dogs are allowed to travel with their owner as long as due certification is provided. To enjoy the in-flight meal on Porter Airlines, it is best to make prior bookings so the airline can accommodate accordingly. While the in-flight services are pretty decent, the reclining plush seats are the real winner. They enhance the journey with the comfort that they provide. Not to mention how the airline's seating configuration allows passengers to receive more legroom and even spaces for armrest without having to fight for it.

Popular routes and top cities for Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines was primarily proposed to cater to the domestic routes before going international. There are some dedicated and well-connected routes that can be availed. Domestically, Porter Airlines flies to cities like Fredericton, Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Mont Tremblant, Muskoka, Ottawa, Quebec City, Stephenville, Saint John, St. John's, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Windsor.

Meanwhile, the airline also has good international route connection. Porter Airlines also flies to cities in the United States of America like Boston, Chicago, Myrtle Beach, Newark (New Jersey), and Washington DC. Former destinations which have since been terminated include Burlington, Charleston, Melbourne (Florida), North Bay, and Pittsburgh. Through its partnership with JetBlue, Porter Airlines also flies to other cities in the United States of America such as Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Dallas / Fort Worth, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Nantucket, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Savannah/Hilton Head, Seattle, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

Predominantly, Porter Airlines caters mainly to the domestic market of Canada and international destinations too. Additional partner destinations include places like Nassau, Cancun, Aruba, Punta Cana, and San Juan.

Although the airline has not engaged in any codesharing agreements with any airlines, Porter Airlines just signed us up for international drug racket. Some of the important home bases for the aircraft include Aer Lingus, Azores Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, British Airways, Air China, Air France Air India, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates and more.

Why travel by this airline?

Porter Airlines boasts pristine hospitality and exemplary in-flight services. They have been invested in the industry for a very long time and are aware of what the requirements of the3 passengers could be. Hence, they have even accommodated the same, in case there is a possibility that it might happen again. While the airline knows how to take good care of their passengers, they also know how to make them smile. Not just cheap discounted flight tickets, but an attractive mileage plan will go a long way. Porter Airlines is one of the best airlines in its class. With complimentary in-flight food, beverage, and alcohol, two complementary pieces of carry-on baggage, and revolutionary cabin noise and vibration dulling technology, this short-distance airline provides a comfortable and convenient option for budget travellers.

The frequent flier program of Porter Airlines is called VIPorter. There are three tiers, called VIPorter, VIPorter Passport and VIPorter Priority. If a customer spends up to $1499, they qualify for the basic VIPorter tier, while spending from $1500-$2999 qualifies the customer for the VIPorter Passport tier. Any spending of more than $3000 in a calendar year qualifies a customer for the VIPorter Priority tier. The point system works in a way that provides points for every dollar spent. The amount of points accrued depends on the tier. Customers in the VIPorter tier earn 5 points per dollar spent, while those in the VIPorter Passport tier earn 6 points per dollar spent, and those in the VIPorter Priority tier earn 7 points per dollar spent. Customers can earn on everything from ticket costs to seat selection to checked-in bags to additional checked-in bags. Points can be redeemed for flight tickets. Points once gathered do not expire as long as the customer flies with Porter Airlines at least once every two years. Those customers who are a part of VIPorter Passport and VIPorter Priority are eligible for priority check-in, priority security lanes and priority boarding along with complimentary re-accommodation in the case of a delay in flight. Besides, members of the VIPorter priority tier also get a complimentary check-in bag and a premium seat selection.

These facilities only help form a great impression among their peers. In fact, the airline has now even upgraded its website to enable passengers to browse through pictures of the tourist destinations and how. Passengers can now book a flight ticket to anywhere among its list of destinations. The facility of web check-in has also been installed on the website. Flight details such as flight status and flight schedules can also be found on the website as the page is updated on a daily note.