Questions about Air Canada Rouge

[sayhello]

So I wonder if anybody is familiar with Air Canada Rouge? Kayak had a fairly decent airfare for Air Canada to Edinburgh. United and Air Canada are apparently the only airlines that fly non-stop from the US to Edinburgh. I went to AC's site, and they had really good flight times, for an OK (but not great) price. As I went through, checking it out, it turned out the flights were something called Air Canada Rouge, which, on the website, sounded kind of cool. But I googled it, and the reviews aren't that good (but they mostly complain about the entertainment center and the inexperienced flight attendants). Further research shows that it's a "Leisure airline" off-shoot of Air Canada (ie, discount airline) they started to compete with all the low-cost, no-frills airlines.

I'm rather torn. They are supposedly getting new planes in March 2014. So the reviews are based on re-purposed old planes. But they're not cheaper than many of the US-based airlines (it's actually more expensive than United or Delta). I'm not a huge United fan, but it's been a while since I flew with them. ACK! My head is starting to hurt!

Any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[jsilvers]

Are you sure that Rouge is a non-stop option? Air Canada's timetable (http://services.aircanada.com/portal/rest/timetable/pdf/ac-timetable-en.pdf) shows that it operates nonstop flights to Edinburgh from Toronto and Montreal, but not from any point in the U.S. (Also, wouldn't this question be more appropriate for the transportation board?)

 

[canadakath]

Personally after many issues with Air Canada, I stay as far away as I can. Not always easy in a country with limited flight options - luckily we are in a border town and do most of our flying from Detroit. You might want to do a search on recent news of Air Canada's overbooking policies - it's not pretty.

On the other hand, AC international service has always been a step above their domestic service. Not sure how that will shake out with the Rouge section of the airline but I will be curious to hear others replies as well. Direct Toronto to Edinburgh would be handy if we ever get to do my dream ABD Scotland trip...

Also - you might want to post this on the Canadian board to see if you get more replies.

 

[sayhello]

Are you sure that Rouge is a non-stop option? Air Canada's timetable (http://services.aircanada.com/portal/rest/timetable/pdf/ac-timetable-en.pdf) shows that it operates nonstop flights to Edinburgh from Toronto and Montreal, but not from any point in the U.S. (Also, wouldn't this question be more appropriate for the transportation board?)

Sorry, you're right. It's a non-stop from Toronto. There are no actual non-stops from Columbus, OH, so I'm going to have to fly somewhere to catch the non-stop. There's an Air Canada flight that hops from Columbus to Toronto, then I'd fly from Toronto to Edinburgh non-stop. I tend not to mention the hop from Columbus, because I'll have to do that leg, regardless. I've done the Columbus to Toronto to London route before.

The question is appropriate here because I'm researching the airfare for my Scotland ABD. But it couldn't hurt to post the question on the transportation board, too.

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

Personally after many issues with Air Canada, I stay as far away as I can. Not always easy in a country with limited flight options - luckily we are in a border town and do most of our flying from Detroit. You might want to do a search on recent news of Air Canada's overbooking policies - it's not pretty.

On the other hand, AC international service has always been a step above their domestic service. Not sure how that will shake out with the Rouge section of the airline but I will be curious to hear others replies as well. Direct Toronto to Edinburgh would be handy if we ever get to do my dream ABD Scotland trip...

Also - you might want to post this on the Canadian board to see if you get more replies.

There's a Canadian board? I didn't know that! Thanks, I'll check it out!

I've only ever flown Air Canada internationally (Ohio to Toronto to London) and the flight was good except for the entertainment box that was under the seat in front of me. It took up more than half the space, and it wasn't a good entertainment system at all. But I wouldn't mind flying Air Canada internationally again. Except I have no clue about this "Rouge" option now.

I *will* look up the overbooking thing with AC, though. That does *not* sound good!

Thanks,
Sayhello

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Hi Say Hello!

We are very frequent flyers with Air Canada (my husband has flown over 1,000,000 miles with them!)! On average I travel at least once or twice a month with them and have for the past several years. Overall, we have been VERY happy with their service. We have been on many flights that have been sold out, but since we book our seats in advance we have never, ever had a problem. They are always very accommodating and pleasant!

I have flown with them the last 3 summers (twice in the summer of 2012) to Europe and not once had a problem. Two of the flights had connections and both went smoothly.

The "Rouge" is a new venture for them. As far as I know (from research this past summer), they are planes that offer only economy class seats (with Economy Plus, I believe). As of June, 2013, they had not been fitted with in-seat entertainment systems and also did not have power outlets at each seat (to charge iPads). I was told they were in the process of retrofitting their fleet and would be finished by this fall, however I don't know if this has been completed or not.

To check out their seating arrangements, you can check seatguru dot com (I used this site extensively when booking our upcoming flights to Honolulu -- he even lists which seats have the entertainment systems under the seat in front of them ). He has the configurations of most airlines and their planes. Also, you can call Air Canada and simply ask them what equipment the plane will have (i.e. entertainment system and power outlets). They were very helpful when I called them about flying into Athens this past summer (I didn't go to Athens for the reason that they don't offer first class to Athens and the plane didn't offer power outlets at each seat -- I'm very picky when it comes to flying ). I went to Paris, Venice, Florence & Rome instead, but I digress!!

Anyways, if the flights work for you, you don't mind economy class and the price is right, I'd recommend Air Canada without hesitation!

 

[sayhello]

Hi Say Hello!

We are very frequent flyers with Air Canada (my husband has flown over 1,000,000 miles with them!)! On average I travel at least once or twice a month with them and have for the past several years. Overall, we have been VERY happy with their service. We have been on many flights that have been sold out, but since we book our seats in advance we have never, ever had a problem. They are always very accommodating and pleasant!

I have flown with them the last 3 summers (twice in the summer of 2012) to Europe and not once had a problem. Two of the flights had connections and both went smoothly.

The "Rouge" is a new venture for them. As far as I know (from research this past summer), they are planes that offer only economy class seats (with Economy Plus, I believe). As of June, 2013, they had not been fitted with in-seat entertainment systems and also did not have power outlets at each seat (to charge iPads). I was told they were in the process of retrofitting their fleet and would be finished by this fall, however I don't know if this has been completed or not.

To check out their seating arrangements, you can check seatguru dot com (I used this site extensively when booking our upcoming flights to Honolulu -- he even lists which seats have the entertainment systems under the seat in front of them ). He has the configurations of most airlines and their planes. Also, you can call Air Canada and simply ask them what equipment the plane will have (i.e. entertainment system and power outlets). They were very helpful when I called them about flying into Athens this past summer (I didn't go to Athens for the reason that they don't offer first class to Athens and the plane didn't offer power outlets at each seat -- I'm very picky when it comes to flying ). I went to Paris, Venice, Florence & Rome instead, but I digress!!

Anyways, if the flights work for you, you don't mind economy class and the price is right, I'd recommend Air Canada without hesitation!

Thanks very much for your input *WDW*Groupie*! I've only flown with Air Canada once, but it was a good experience. Honestly, I don't care about the entertainment center. And while power outlets are nice, I can manage without them (I usually carry an iPad, iPod and eReader, and between the 3 of them can keep myself occupied!) I wonder if you'd heard anything about the "new comfortable “slimline” seats" that they were retrofitting in? The pitch is only 29", and I'm afraid they've just removed all of the padding (what little there was) to make the space "bigger". I flew Airtran once, and it was the most uncomfortable plane seat I've ever sat in!

But I'll definitely take another look. I unfortunately can't really afford to travel first class (I've upgraded on occasion to "Economy Plus") so I have no aversion to a plane with no first class section.

Thanks again!
Sayhello

 

[lawboy2001]

You may have already booked, but I flew Rouge Toronto to Orlando in December, and I would NOT want to travel with them overseas. The seat pitch is smaller than Air Canada...I'm not sure how much but it was uncomfortable for me (6'1), and the planes are all narrow bodied so that is a non-starter for me, for a longer overseas flight. Unless you have a tablet of your own, you rent one and that is where you view the inflight entertainment. I didn't do it, but it seemed to be a similar selection to what you get on Air Canada in your seat-back system.

So, there's one person's perspective. I know US airlines are not that great either, but I think at least the seat pitch will be better than Rouge.

 

[sayhello]

You may have already booked, but I flew Rouge Toronto to Orlando in December, and I would NOT want to travel with them overseas. The seat pitch is smaller than Air Canada...I'm not sure how much but it was uncomfortable for me (6'1), and the planes are all narrow bodied so that is a non-starter for me, for a longer overseas flight. Unless you have a tablet of your own, you rent one and that is where you view the inflight entertainment. I didn't do it, but it seemed to be a similar selection to what you get on Air Canada in your seat-back system.

So, there's one person's perspective. I know US airlines are not that great either, but I think at least the seat pitch will be better than Rouge.

Thanks for the info. It seems I made the right choice with United (I paid a bit extra to get their "Premium Economy" which has extra leg room. One of the few things that gives United a bump over the others). Air Canada has been consistently cheaper than the other airlines and had some really good itineraries, but I just didn't feel good about the overseas Rouge leg. I feel better about that decision now.

Sayhello

 

[Gigi22]

One of the issues with Air Canada is their extremely limited re-imbursement of passengers on flights that are significantly delayed. On a non-stop flight from MCO to YUL, delayed for over 12 hours, we were offered $25 food vouchers, good in the airport only, and an Air Canada credit of $100 each. Absolutely inadequate. If you wind up seriously delayed, get receipts and put in to be re-imbursed for all expenses. They will pay you back, but you must be persistent.