Update June 2025: Silver Airways has discontinued all flights and is no longer operating. I’ll leave this Silver Airways review up for anyone who wants to see what the airline was like before closing.
I have no clue why an airline called Silver Airways paints their planes pink. But really, I kinda like it. It’s different and catchy.
Anyway, I’m flying with Silver on their ATR from GSP-MCO. Update: This route has ended and Silver no longer serves GSP airport. I’ve ridden with Silver before and liked it. Yes, the ATR is a bit slower than a jet, but on the relatively short flight between Greenville and Orlando, it really doesn’t make much difference. Silver Airways operates turbo-prop ATR aircraft in an all economy configuration.
Bottom Line: Silver is a nice little airline. Their ATR42s are a little small, but the space is about the same as you’d find on any other small plane. The service is good, the flight was onetime, and I’ll continue to fly with Silver.
Silver Airways ATR42 Boarding
Boarding started about 35 minutes before departure and was seemingly completed in less than 15 minutes. The ATR is a small plane and boards using stairs.
I always enjoy boarding via stairs. It’s fun to see how large even small planes are.
Because the baggage hold is between the cockpit and cabin, the stairs are in the rear.
I found my seat on the left hand side in row 8, this is just behind the wing. The 2-2 seating is comfortable enough. These ATRs are about the same size as a CRJ900/700. So not bad at all.
Silver Airways ATR42 Seat Comfort
I’m lucky enough to not have a seat mate. The plane is mostly full, there’s about 5 empty seats. The leg room is pretty standard for an economy seat.
There’s no first class, but the front row is the exit row with a little more space. The ATR doesn’t have in seat entertainment, Wifi, or in seat power. Just a seat to sit in.
The overhead panel had everything you’d expect. The plane was a little hot when we boarded, but at least the overhead vents worked well enough.
The seat recline is this little lever on the armrest. You lift it to recline.
Silver Airways ATR42 Push back and Takeoff
The door was closed and the flight attendant gave her welcome announcement along with the safety briefing. We were told that the flight would be 2:10 in flight and we’d be only at an altitude of 10k feet. So being a turbo prop plane, the ATR is a little slower and flys a little lower than a jet.
We pushed back from the gate just a few minutes early. The engines were started. If you’ve not been on a turboprop, they move around a good bit more than a similar sized regional jet. Nothing crazy, just more noticable.
We taxied to the runway, looks like we’ll be taking off towards the south west. The pilot came on and asked for the flight attendant to be seated.
We took off very quickly and headed towards the south. On takeoff it was a little rocky, just the nature of the smaller plane and slower speeds.
Once we were at a higher altitude, the flight on the ATR is nice and smooth. As the flight attendant said, our altitude will not be very high on this flight so it’s almost like a little sight seeing flight.
Silver Airways ATR42 In Flight Review
In flight the turboprop ATR is a little louder than a similar sized regional jet, but it’s not anything over the top. There’s no power, in seat entertainment, or wifi on the Silver ATR, but these are pretty short flights so a few podcasts on my phone are more than enough.
Sadly our view of South Carolina below became covered by clouds. The pilot turned off the seatbelt sign and an announcement was made.
Silver Airways ATR42 In Flight Service
The flight attendant passed through with bottles of water. The Silver ATR has little tray tables that match the plane.
I brought some snacks with me, Silver doesn’t serve anything other than the bottle of water.
Silver Airways ATR42 Lavatory
The ATR has a single lavatory at the rear of the plane. I’ve mentioned this before, but the bathroom on the ATR is larger than you’d expect. Plenty of room to stand up, but you’re not going to run laps.
I headed back to my seat with about 40 minutes left in the flight.
Silver Airways ATR42 Landing and Arrival
Seatbelt sign was turned back on as we passed over Gainesville.
The flight attendant passed through and collected the garbage and then played an announcement telling everyone to remain seated.
As we passed over Orlando the pilot made his landing announcement and had the flight attendant prepare the cabin for landing.
We landed just a few minutes later into Orlando. We’re about 10 minutes early, I’m sure that will be taken up by getting to our gate here at MCO.
Once at the gate, we deplaned from the rear stairs again. Once last look back at the little pink ATR.
Silver Airways ATR42 Final Thoughts
The ATR isn’t a super popular aircraft here in the US, but on these short routes it’s great. Sure, it’s a little slower and louder than the equivalent jet, but over a short distance it really doesn’t matter. I like that Silver goes all out and embraces the pink, not just on the planes but as their Hi-vis vests too. It’s fun and unique.
Update: Silver does a nice job, I’m sad they’ve left the Greenville market. They never really had enough frequency to make it competitive.