Air Canada upgrades cabins on Rouge flights

Air Canada has unveiled a series of product upgrades for its recently-launched leisure airline, Air Canada Rouge.

The carrier commenced operations in 2013, using Air Canada’s older Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A319 aircraft. But Air Canada is now planning to upgrade the Rouge aircraft with new seats and cabin products.

The premium cabin in Air Canada Rouge’s fleet of 20 A319s will be converted by mid-June 2015 from its current 3-3 configuration with a blocked middle seat to a 2-2 layout offering window or aisle access from every seat. The new seats will also offer power sockets and USB port, plus coat hooks and a tray table between the seats.

In addition, the airline is enhancing its in-flight entertainment system on all A319 and B767 aircraft. The new system, called Player, will allow passengers to stream content to their own laptops or mobile devices, while passengers will also be able to rent iPads for the flight. iPad rental will be complimentary in the premium cabins.

The new business class seats on Air Canada Rouge's Airbus A319s
The new business class seats on Air Canada Rouge’s Airbus A319s
“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 of 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 wide-body Rouge Boeing 767 aircraft,” he added.

Air Canada Rouge now operates 68 routes to destinations in Europe, Mexico, the US, Caribbean, Asia, South America and Canada. Earlier this month, the airline launched its first ever trans-Pacific flights linking Vancouver with Osaka.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com