The Lev

Back on topic...

Flew YYZ-BCN-YYZ in rouge and the flight was not at all unpleasant. Of course it helped that we had row 12.

From YYZ the "salad" was a horrid concoction of cabbage and corn. I decided to do a quick perusal down the aisle and it seemed the majority of people left most/all of this salad untouched on their plates.

Doesn't AC get feedback from FA's about stuff like this?

rankourabu

I am? (Rouge) "rates are based on loads" was not my statement

The Lev

In common English usage, "based on" need not mean based entirely on - it means that loads are a significant basis in the determination of fares.

busfan

So, first time on Rouge. We few the Airbus 319 (YYZ-MCO)

Pros:
- Nice hollow space in back of seat will hold a tablet at perfect height.
- FAs have nice chapeaus

Cons:
-Seats seem to be shorter
-Seat padding is thinner
-Seat pitch definitely lower. If you put anything in the seatback pouch other than a pack of gum, there is no room for your knees.
- AC Rouge App will not launch in landscape mode. Once it does launch, connection was slow and media selection consisted of old movies.

Conclusion:
-Not going to fly rouge again (or the 777HD for that mater).

Steverino

I've learned that if you use one of the iPads that the Rouge attendants distribute, you get first-run movies. Some sort of rights issue prevents offering the good stuff on passenger-supplied iPads.

superangrypenguin

New news!!

http://www.stockhouse.com/news/press...r-canada-rouge

Summary:

Introduction of new spacious Business Class seats on Air Canada rouge A319 aircraft
More overhead stowage space throughout Airbus A319 aircraft
Upgrades to the in-flight entertainment system

Article:

The premium cabin in Air Canada rouge's fleet of 20 Airbus A319 aircraft will be converted by mid-June 2015 from its current 3x3 seating configuration with a blocked middle seat to two side-by-side Business Class seats in a 2x2 configuration. This new seating provides customers more personal space and generous legroom as well as full power charging capacity with a 110-volt power plug and a high-powered USB port at every seat. Additional customer convenience features include a centre console and pop-out cocktail tray between the two seats and a coat hook at every seat.

"Air Canada has listened to its customers and is pleased to announce product investments in the Air Canada rouge fleet including new Business Class seats on all Airbus A319 aircraft," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "The new business class seating on rouge Airbus A319 aircraft provides our premium leisure customers with more space and comfort and, together with complimentary bar and meal service, is in line with our award winning Air Canada Business Class. We continue to strategically deploy Air Canada rouge on routes with high leisure travel demand as part of our strategy for sustainable, profitable growth. These product improvements, including Business Class seating offering the same or more space than equivalent seating on widebody rouge Boeing 767 aircraft, provides customers with a market leading premium leisure product in North America."

All Air Canada rouge flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption and, for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits.

Air Canada rouge will also increase 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. The installation takes place this summer.

In addition to the upgrades on its Airbus A319 aircraft, Air Canada rouge is also enhancing its in-flight entertainment system on all Airbus A319 and Boeing 767 aircraft. Air Canada rouge is one of the first airlines in North America to offer a streaming in-flight entertainment system. This system, called player, is available complimentary to customers that have downloaded the free app onto their own laptops or mobile Apple® and Android® devices. Air Canada rouge also provides an Apple iPad® rental program onboard that is now renting out lightweight iPad Air 2® tablets that have been upgraded to feature dozens of the latest Hollywood new releases and popular iPad games for one and two players. iPad rentals are complimentary in the Premium rouge cabin.

guessaaa

Some more info about the new J seats from their Facebook page:

Sean Peever

I have managed to avoid Rouge 100% so far. However, with this change to the J seats on the 319 I will admit that I will now take Rouge from YVR to PHX, SFO & LAS

canolakid

"listening to our customers" and monitoring the walk of the wallet no doubt! Regardless, nice to see 'ML lite' AC option back in play even if it is still called Rouge.

screw2000

Will be interesting to see how the pricing shakes out -- specifically, how much the marketplace is willing to pay for a 2x2 setup on Rouge vs. European J on WS.

I'm more excited about the larger O/H bins.

CloudsBelow

Rather odd AC are pumping their new larger overhead bins at the same time restricting size of the carry-ons that go in them. The "added space" afforded by the "pillow doors" will be wasted with a 21.5" limit.
I have faith AC will get this right.

tcook052

I thought rouge couldn't offer business class because of the CBA with pilots?

WR Cage

I too excited about the larger bins.

All thats left is larger rouge plus cabin. I would have preferred a 2 row premium rouge cabin followed by two row rouge plus cabin.

Also rouge plus on the 319 will feel a little more cramped because there is a curtain between premium rouge and rouge plus.

Finally, WS starts selling euro J (blocked middle) in September, but I expect they will have rouge style J in one year's time.

Compliant roller bags will now all fit wheels first and the parka/jacket can go on top of the rollerbag.

superangrypenguin

When was this ever an issue? I've flown the 319 more than I want to. I thought the same old ML planes were dumped into Rouge.

This was ever a problem for compliant bags to go wheel first? If my bag handle is near the latch, it appears it doesn't fit. I just push on it hard, no worries.

A curtain will go behind Rouge Plus? The way it is now is that there's a curtain behind PR, and in front of Rouge Plus. not sure if it was a grammatical issue or if I missed something.

tracon

YVR-LAX first two flights cancelled this morning.
Replaced with a slave ship.