Find cheap PAL Airlines flights

PAL Airlines operates from its head office at St. John’s International Airport, linking destinations across Eastern Canada’s smaller communities (Newfoundland, Quebec and the Maritimes) with scheduled flights, air charter and cargo services. The airline serves destinations including Montréal, Québec City, St. John’s, and Moncton, often acting as a lifeline for underserved rural communities with limited travel options.

Flying with PAL feels different than boarding a big national carrier. They’re small and local enough that you’ll feel like part of their family, and as one of Eastern Canada and Quebec’s largest independent airlines, they’ve built their reputation on taking care of travellers heading to places other carriers don’t reach.

Baggage allowance

PAL Airlines’ baggage rules depend on your fare class, but all checked bags follow the same size and weight limits: 22.6 kg (50 pounds) maximum weight and 158 cm (62 linear inches) total dimensions. Freedom and flexible fares include one free checked bag, while basic and standard fares require payment (with lower fees than basic fares).

For carry-ons, you get one bag up to 53 x 23 x 38 cm (21 x 9 x 15 inches) plus a personal item like a purse or diaper bag that fits within 40 x 15 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 inches). If you’re connecting to an Air Borealis Twin Otter flight, the aircraft can’t accommodate carry-on bags, though personal items are allowed onboard and they offer a complimentary sky-check option.

Seats and legroom

PAL’s seats don’t recline, but they’re comfortable enough for the short-haul flights the airline operates, with sufficient legroom in a 2×2 configuration. PAL operates mostly Bombardier Dash-8 turboprops in various sizes (including the Dash 8-400, Dash 8-300, and Dash 8-100), while the smaller Twin Otter aircraft seat just 16 passengers with surprisingly roomy seats despite limited carry-on space.

Exit rows offer the most legroom, as you’d expect. My advice: grab a seat toward the rear to escape the turboprop engine drone, but not so far back that you’re next to the galley. Front seats get you off faster but put you near the lavatory. One heads-up about overhead bins: they’re fairly limited, so don’t try cramming in a roller bag that should be checked.

Check-in

PAL offers online check-in through their website or mobile app, as well as airport counter check-in, and the process moves quickly. With planes seating between 16 and 76 passengers, boarding and check-in are far more efficient than what you’ll experience with larger carriers.

That said, PAL recommends arriving two hours before departure at larger hubs like Montréal, Québec City, St. John’s and Moncton, and 90 minutes early at all other airports. The extra time isn’t for check-in itself but for other potential bottlenecks like security lines or baggage handling delays.

In-flight meals and drinks

PAL keeps it simple with light snacks and beverages on flights with service. You’ll get small packaged goods and drinks (what’s available depends on the caterer at your departure airport), but don’t expect full meal service. Beech aircraft don’t have flight attendants, while larger planes have two crew members handling the cabin.

If you’re flying over a meal time, grab something at the airport or pack your own. Just be considerate to your neighbours and skip anything too stinky in that small cabin.

Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment

PAL’s fleet of Dash-8 and Beech 1900 aircraft don’t have in-flight Wi-Fi or entertainment screens. The flights are usually short, so you’re not missing much. 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.

Change & cancellation policies

PAL’s change and cancellation policies follow your fare class, ranging from completely inflexible to fully refundable:

• Basic fares are final sale (non-refundable, non-creditable, with no changes allowed)

• Standard fares allow changes and cancellations (with fees) at least 24 hours before departure, with the balance kept as credit for up to one year from the original purchase date

• Flexible fares work like standard but with lower change and cancellation fees

• Freedom fares are the only refundable option, with free changes and full refunds if cancelled more than 24 hours out (cancellations between 24 and two hours before departure receive credit only)

In compassionate cases like medical emergencies or bereavement, PAL will fully refund tickets or allow free changes with proper documentation like a medical note or funeral details.

Loyalty program

PAL Airlines doesn’t 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. Note: they’re partners, not the same company.

The number of points you earn depends on your fare. A Freedom fare gets you 125% of the base points, a Flexible fare earns 75%, and a Standard fare gets you 25%. If you booked a Basic fare, sorry, you’re not eligible for any points on that trip.