Last week (in 2014), I flew on Air Canada rouge for the first time. They began operating on July 1, 2013 with a start-up fleet of two Airbus A319 aircraft and two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. By the end of this month, they’ll operate a total of 27 aircraft including 19 Airbus A319s and 8 Boeing 767-300ERs.
At launch, their planes serviced a network of 14 routes flying from Toronto and Montreal to Europe and the Caribbean but they’re now up to a total of 52 routes from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver—including 11 to Europe.
I recently flew them roundtrip from Los Angeles to Calgary in both classes. Here are 10 things you need to know about flying Air Canada rouge:
1. Same check-in as Air Canada
Although Air Canada rouge is a separate airline from Air Canada, you still check-in for your flight as if you’re flying Air Canada.
2. Cool flight attendant uniforms
All the Air Canada rouge flight attendants that I came across were young and attractive, and sporting funky uniforms that included a gray pin-striped trilby hat. The look was created by Maybelline and Redken and their burgundy Fluevog shoes were designed and manufactured by Canada’s own Fluevog Shoes. Rob Lowe famously made fun of their uniforms but I like them—especially the hat.
3. The planes aren’t brand-spanking-new
I was expecting Air Canada rouge’s planes to be brand-spanking-new since the airline is only a year old, but they’re actually just converted Air Canada planes. According to Renee Smith-Valade, Vice President of Customer Experience, “the aircrafts Air Canada rouge operate (the Airbus A319 and the Boeing 767-300ER) have been transferred from Air Canada’s fleet. Air Canada rouge aircraft are restyled inside and out. They have modern charcoal and burgundy cabin interiors, featuring new Slimline seats with a streamlined profile, and branding accents throughout the cabin (e.g. bulkheads, curtains) and onboard service elements (e.g. tray liners in Premium rouge). Both aircraft types sport a sleek white, red and burgundy livery that clearly establishes Air Canada rouge as part of the Air Canada family.”
4. There are no built-in entertainment systems
Although Air Canada rouge’s planes don’t have Air Canada’s seatback entertainment systems, they do have a very cool app that you need to download BEFORE getting on the plane. Air Canada rouge aircraft are all equipped with Player, a next generation in-flight entertainment system that streams unlimited live entertainment to customers’ personal electronic devices. Customers should bring their own fully-charged laptop or iPad, iPod, or iPhone and download the latest Air Canada app (from the Apple App Store). For those with a laptop, make sure you have Adobe Flash Player installed. Availability on other platforms like Android is coming this fall.
5. You can rent an iPad
If you don’t own a tablet, you can rent an iPad on-board for $10 (free for Premium rouge passengers). They hand them out after takeoff.
6. There are no electrical outlets
Rouge planes don’t have electrical or USB outlets to charge your devices so be sure to have everything fully charged before getting onboard.
7. Coach seats are TIGHT
I flew on rouge’s A319 and the seats are really tight in coach. The A319s are configured with 3×3 seating and they only have 29 inches of pitch (distance between the back of your seat and the back of the seat in front). In comparison: American Airlines has 30 inches, United has 31, Virgin America has 32 and regular Air Canada has between 31-35. The good news is rouge does have 18-inch wide seats, which are wider than American’s and Virgin America’s. FYI: On rouge’s other style of aircraft, the 767, which flies longer distances, they offer 30 inches of pitch in economy.
8. You can buy food
Just like on Air Canada, you can buy food—including pizza—on rouge on flights in coach. But on their flights to Europe, they do offer complimentary meals and non-alcoholic beverages. FYI: Food pic is from Premium rouge.
9. Premium rouge (UPDATED on May 19, 2016)
Air Canada rouge let me know that after I took my original flight that they improved their premium product on their Airbus 319 aircraft. The premium cabin in Air Canada rouge’s fleet of 20 Airbus 319 aircraft has been converted from 3×3 seating configuration with a blocked middle seat to two side-by-side larger seats in a 2×2 configuration. This seating offers the same or more space than equivalent seating on Air Canada rouge’s Boeing 767 aircraft. They also increased carry-on space throughout its Airbus A319 fleet by 30 per cent with the installation of new overhead bin doors – dubbed “pillow doors” because of their curved shape – which allow carry-on items to be stowed more efficiently. In addition, they also have full power charging capacity with a 110-volt power plug and a high-powered USB port at every seat.
10. They write the flight number on landing cards
This was a first for me…When the flight attendants handed out the landing cards for Canadian immigration, the airline and flight number were already filled out. When I asked the flight attendant if they always do this they said they try to on all rouge flights. That’s a nice touch.
Because Air Canada decided to pack in way too many seats on this plane I would only take Rouge again on a short flight or if I was upfront in Premium Rouge. How about you? Have you flown Rouge?
Just got back from Sarasota. Have to say that rouge was a one time experience that I will not do again. First off, the cost is too comparable to other carriers to warrant that seat configuration. If you are approaching 6 feet in height you will be constantly moving your knees to avoid getting a sore spot where the touch the seat in front. For good reason there is no tv in the seat in front of you. It is too close to be able to focus on it if you are older than 14. From my chin to the seat in front of me it was about 10 inches. The inflight entertainment was pathetic unless you are a fan of old movies like Rosemary’s Baby. I’m not kidding. Most of the movies are quite old and near as I can tell the only new movie was Room which didn’t appeal to me. It is a HUGE departure from Air Canada’s normal selection.
Anyway, cattle car took on a whole new meaning. I upgraded my seat to an emergency exit row for the return flight and have informed my travel agent that Rouge is no longer an option.
I understand they have Rouge flights to Europe!!! OMG.. I would have been livid to be trapped in that seat for 7+ hours. 3 hours was a violation of my human rights which seem to be suspended once on board Air Canada Rouge.
I’m heading back to Montreal from Europe in this nightmare… I will never fly rouge again…
i have been on air Canada rouge and it is the best flingt I have ever been on. the seats are so open and it is fun to have the ipad so you can put them anywhere and on that last thing the entire card was full exept for my name
You must be a small person (under 5’5″) if you think that this airline is the best thing, or you have never flown before….
You must indeed not be a tall person. I spent a full night traveling Montreal to Venice. I had to slide sideways into the seat and at no time could straighten my legs. Probably the worst seating position I could imagine for a 6′ guy
I flew with Rouge for the first time a month ago on my way to Cuba. I was surprised to learn that they do not give you any meals on board. I could care less about the entertainment since I always carry my own. What I hated was that my wife and I both got aisle seats. Funny enough, we just booked a flight to St. Maartin and again we got stuck with aisle seats instead of at least 1 window seat. This cannot be a coincidence. I’m currently waiting on the phone to complain about this. Thanks Johnny! My good friend Mike Hinshaw told me about your blog.
Mike’s the man!
They should rename it Air Canada Squeeze and call it what it is.
Talk with your Purchases.
We’ve been flying to Caribbean for pass 8 yrs with AC Vacations for winter getaway from Northern BC. We’ve been touting AC Vacations for the service for years over other carriers. All airlines have complainants from varying persons, We’re all different in our needs and wants. After last yrs (Sardine Flights) connecting flights Santa Clara – Cuba, Toronto and back we’ve give up on Air Canada Vacations. Rouge should be called “Squeezed In Thar Air”. I’m 5.8″ 170lbs Small average Canadian. The 767 down was survivable. The 319 Back was unbearable. I email a review to AC and got a $100 voucher for this years vacation trip. Were booking WestJet instead. Looking last night at cost to go back to New Zealand for a late Winter getaway. Air New Zealand has been great but now connects with AC partner “Rouge” through Honolulu. We’re not taking that one but connecting with WestJet through LA. Talk with your Purchases.
K
There is a difference between discomfort and pain. I am 6’5″ and Rouge seating is painful for me. I have now switched carriers.
I have been flying air canada from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal 3 to 4 times a year for last 20 years and alwAys thaught the plane and service was great until a flew with rouge this December . Let’s put it that way I refuse to fly SPIRIT airline because of the lack of legs room , I am 6.3 . Well rouge made the same bad decision . The magazine rack in front of me has a metal rod that was sticking and applying pressure on my knees causing pain and discomfort . That should be outlaw . I was also served a soggy egg sandwich . The crew was nice and the plane very clean . But the lack of leg room will force me to find a alternative airline . I will file a formal complaint to air canada about the metal road in the magazine rack . There should another alternative
Rouge has to be the worst flying experience that I have ever had. And I fly over 100K miles per year. The seats are cramped and unsafe. No entertainment. No comfort. No room. The service is non-existent.
Just when Air Canada had started to put together a decent product, they wreck the brand with Rouge. And they are rapidly converting most of their North American routes to Rouge. Time to start flying another, less scuzzy airline.
Obviously Calin Rovinescu, president of Air Canada, has never had to suffer through a Rouge flight. I am sure that he would have fired the idiots who dreamed Rouge up.
Bye bye Air Canada.
Have flown AC Rouge twice; both flight fine. (1) Athens to Montreal – booked as AC Premium Economy, changed to Premium Rouge. No complaints other than chaotic boarding in Athens. Crowded waiting room without gear to segregate Priority. (2) Palm Springs – Vancouver booked Economy but purchase a Preferred seat which was 1st in the economy section so got greater legroom (worth it).
Rouge is my absolute last choice for flight, would even consider transat cuz at least you might get a deal. Im a 5’9″ female, the seat was too small. I flew with them when they first started, was shocked to see no in-seat entertainment when i got on the plane and asked why. They replied “Oh, this is Rouge”, with a smile and I had no idea i had just been rouged. Never never again.
well its much better than the virgin airlines Couse
there seats are 25 inch in width. but I flew the premium once and it was the best experience I have ever been on a plane
Went to/from Toronto to Dublin on Air Canada Rouge and I will never do that again. I paid for preferred seat to have a little more room but felt very sorry for any tall person trying to seat on that plane.
Some of the staff were nice but one was rude to passengers.
Air Canada doesn’t seem to care about their customers and the complaints.
I will never do it again for an overseas flight either!
Absolutley awful.
As a somewhat frequent flyer (Aeroplan 75k Elite), I usually try to book Air Canada or Star Allliance whenever possible. When planning my vacation, I accessed the aircanada.com to book return flights from Calgary to Halifax for my wife, my daughter and me. I booked return flights on AC as they were comparably priced to the Westjet alternative, not knowing that they were Air Canada Rouge flights. I didn’t notice the Rouge logo next to the flight number and I wouldn’t have understood its significance if I had.
It was with complete disbelief that we entered the cabin and took our seats. The Air Canada Rouge aircraft cabin was obviously not designed for normal sized people. I am not overly tall at 6 feet but there was no way to sit on that aircraft without my knees either jammed into the back of passenger in front of me or angled into the aisle. I chose the latter approach while passenger behind me chose the former.
This flight was possibly the most miserable 5 hours of my life. The only thing worse was knowing that I had to do it all over again in two weeks time on a longer flighter travelling east to west. Using a plane like that for a 5 hour flight is not just uncomfortable, it is inhumane.
On my return, I sent a note to Air Canada customer service relaying my experience. In response, I received a form letter saying how all airlines are cutting back and that if I want more room, I should book business class.
Next time, given the same choice, I’ll definitely fly WestJet.