Find cheap PAL Airlines flights

PAL Airlines is a Canadian regional airline based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, serving destinations across Eastern Canada, including Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador.

With year-round passenger and cargo services to underserved rural centres, PAL Airlines has grown to become one of the largest independent regional airlines in Canada often acting as a lifeline for communities with limited travel options.

Flying with PAL is a treat because they are so small and local that they really take care of you and it feels like you’re part of their family. It’s a much different experience than flying with a big national or international air carrier.

Check-in

With PAL Airlines, you have the option of checking in at one of their airport counters or doing it in advance online on their website.

Since their biggest planes seat at most 76 passengers and their smallest only 16, boarding and check-in are quick and efficient compared to what you are used to with larger national and international airlines.

Despite that, PAL still recommends that passengers arrive at larger airports like Montreal and Ottawa one and a half to two hours before their flights because there may be other bottlenecks to slow them down like getting through security or if there are issues with baggage handling.

For smaller regional airports, they recommend you be there 90 minutes before scheduled departure.

Baggage allowance

Your checked luggage allowance on PAL Airlines depends on the fare class of your ticket. If you’re flying with a “freedom” fare or a flexible fare, you get one free checked bag. Basic fare holders have to pay for a checked bag as do standard fare passengers, but they are charged less.

The bag must not weigh more than 50 pounds (22.6 kg) and the maximum size must not exceed 62 linear inches (158 cm).

You can check a second bag when you fly PAL, but the fees will vary if you have booked a basic, standard or flexible fare, however, it is free for those flying on Freedom fare tickets.

If your bag exceeds the maximum weight and size requirements or if you need to travel with a third bag, it can still travel as excess baggage which will cost you an additional charge no matter which fare class you are flying.

You are also allowed to fly with one piece of carry-on luggage that cannot be larger than 21 X 9 x 15 inches (53 x 23 cm x 38 cm) as well as a personal item like a small purse or diaper bag provided it does not exceed the maximum size of 16 x 6 x 13 inches (40 x 15 x 33 cm).

If you are connecting to a Twin Otter flight operated by PAL Airline’s subsidiary Air Borealis, please note that their aircraft are too small to accommodate carry-on baggage, but you can bring a personal item onboard.

Seats and legroom

Most of PAL Airlines’ aircraft fleet consists of different models of Bombardier’s Dash-8 turboprop aircraft so they share similar layouts of two rows of side-by-side seating although some of the aircraft are larger than others so they accommodate more passengers.

The seats are comfortable enough for short-haul flights and provide sufficient legroom although none of them recline so don’t expect to get too comfortable. As with any commercial aircraft, the most legroom will be found in the exit row seats.

Because the noise of the turboprop engines can be quite loud, my advice is to select a seat near the rear of the aircraft to escape the constant drone, but don’t sit so far back that you’re next to the galley because that can get annoying. Sitting in the front has its advantages, but then you’ll be close to the toilet.

One other thing to note is that the space in the overhead bins on these aircraft is fairly limited so don’t try to cram in a roller bag that you know that you should be checking in as regular luggage.

As for their smaller Beech aircraft, they only accommodate 16 passengers so space is limited for carry-on baggage, but the seats are surprisingly roomy.

Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment

PAL Airlines’ small fleet of Dash-8 and Beech 1900 aircraft are not equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi.

There is also no in-flight entertainment on the small aircraft operated by PAL, but their flights are usually not very long so you aren’t missing anything. If you are easily bored, then bring your own portable devices to entertain yourself, but I prefer to grab a window seat as PAL flies over some of the most beautiful scenery Canada has to offer.

In-flight meals & drink

It’s rare for a regional airline that primarily operates shorter routes to offer full meal service onboard their aircraft and PAL Airlines is no exception.

Service on PAL flights is pretty basic with only two flight attendants taking care of you. In the case of the airline’s Beech aircraft, there are no flight attendants.

On flights with service, you will receive light snacks, such as beverages and small packaged goods, and the choice of what you get depends on the caterer of the airport you’re flying from. Don’t expect anything too lavish.

If you’re flying over a meal time, you might be better off picking something up from the airport counter or packing something from home in your carry-on, but be considerate to the people sitting near you and don’t bring anything too stinky.

Change & cancellation policies

Like most airlines, PAL’s cancellation and change policies depend on the type of ticket you purchased.

If you are travelling with a basic fare ticket and want to change or cancel your flight, they are non-refundable so you can’t change it and if you can’t use it, you won’t be compensated.

Passengers holding standard fares must make their changes or cancellation at least 24 hours before they fly but will have to pay a fee to do so. If you cancel, the balance from your original purchase minus the cancellation fee is kept as credit for a future flight for up to one year.

The policy is similar for flexible tickets, but the change/cancellation fee is lower.

The only truly refundable tickets are the freedom fare tickets. Any changes or cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before departure. If you cancel between 24 and two hours before the flight, you will only receive a credit. Any changes you make with this type of ticket are free.

In certain compassionate cases, PAL Airlines will fully refund a ticket or allow free changes, but proof like a medical note or funeral details is required.

Loyalty program

PAL Airlines does not have its own loyalty program, but it does participate in Air Canada’s Aeroplan program which means that any scheduled flights you book with PAL are eligible for Aeroplan points. You can also redeem Aeroplan points to purchase tickets to fly with PAL.

The amount of points you collect for your PAL flights depends on the type of ticket you purchase. Non-corporate customers who buy a “freedom” fare ticket will collect 125% base points in the Aeroplan program while those purchasing flexible fares will only get 75%. If you purchase a standard fare, it collects only 25% base points in the program and basic fares are not eligible for any rewards.