World Traveller 73 
Review: Air Canada Rouge Business Class A320, Ottawa – Toronto
I was recently downgraded onto an Air Canada Rouge Business Class flight. I usually design my travel plans go well out of my way to avoid an Air Canada Rouge flight, given that it offers much less amenties. However, it’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of flying on an Air Canada Rouge flight. As such, I thought it would be worthwhile going over a few of the Rouge cabin’s most recent features.
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Review: Air Canada Rouge Business Class A320, Ottawa International -Toronto Pearson International Airport
Air Canada’s Rouge is Air Canada’s low cost alternative to transportation across its network. It’s designed primarily to service international leisure destinations as well as some non-core business leisure oriented destinations, within Canada.
I have previously typically avoided Air Canada Rouge planes like the plague. They generally do not have any entertainment systems on board, as well as they typically feature less legroom. Add the fact that there are usually less business oriented travellers on board that are familiar with flying, and it’s not a combination I usually find to be super enjoyable.
However today, as sometimes happens, Air Canada decided to perform a last-minute swap of my scheduled Air Canada Business Class Airbus 320 aircraft, down to a lessor Air Canada Rouge Airbus 319 aircraft. I would end up getting a subtle indication this was happening when I got an automated email indicating that they would be no onboard in-flight entertainment for this flight.
Departing Ottawa International Airport:
After checking in through the Air Canada app and getting my digital boarding cards on Air Canada Business Class Rouge Ottawa – Toronto, and Air Canada Business Class Toronto – Vancouver, I headed for the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Ottawa. I had worked a full day in Ottawa and would end up taking the last flight out of Ottawa that would allow me to connect back home to Vancouver.
I ended up checking a suitcase on this particular segment. Air Canada Business Class offers the ability to check two checked pieces on a complimentary basis. Unfortunately, Air Canada would (again) lose the checked luggage as I connected through Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Access to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Ottawa was on a complimentary basis as a result of being in business class. As I have reviewed that lounge previously, I won’t do so again.
I also had access to the Aspire Salon Lounge – Ottawa courtesy of Priority Pass which was available through my American Express Platinum Card. However, it happened to be closed during my late evening visit on this late departure from Ottawa.
Getting back to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, I had a short but comfortable visit.
I was able to get a little dinner replacement before my flight. Most of the stores on the Ottawa Airport concourse were already closed. As such, I opted for a quick fill up, not knowing when I would be able to get another meal.
Air Canada
Operated by Air Canada Rouge
Business Class
YOW-YVR (Ottawa International Airport – Toronto Pearson International Airport)
AC 471 – Business Class
8:15 PM – 9:35 PM
February 14, 2025
Booked: Airbus 320-2
Scheduled: Airbus 319-1
Flown: Airbus 319-1
After a short snack and dinner substitution, I headed to Ottawa’s Gate 17. I ended up being first in line for Boarding Zone 1.
While I was waiting for the plane to arrive, I had a short fifteen minute delay posted. I used the opportunity to check the upgrade list on the App. There were only a few looking to upgrade tonight with about five on the list with two being successful at the upgrade into Business Class.
Eventually, the plane arrived and I was able to get on board. I was able to board through Zone One, courtesy of the class of service of a business class ticket.
On Board Air Canada Rouge:
Air Canada Rouge Business Class is a light version of the regular Air Canada mainline business class cabin. This Air Canada Rouge Airbus 319-1 was configured in a 2 – 2 configuration with three rows and a total of 12 business class seats.
Air Canada Rouge Business Class travellers will find a refreshed cabin with red accents in a most absolute basic format. While it may appear newer than the older Air Canada XM Extreme Make over cabins that feature the glacier blue seat, it’s a nittle fresher but not by much.
Aside from the refresh seating services, travellers will find a stripped down version of business class. Air Canada Rouge does not install in screen seat monitor for entertainment, meaning that you’ll be on your own for entertainment.
The seat offers a small seat back pocket, along with a small foot rest.
The pre-departure beverage service tonight was limited to a small bottle of Naya Mini Bottled Water.
The leg room was a little snug for me, being a tall 6 ft 2 inches traveller with long legs. By the time I got my take away sandwich in the seat pocket, there were only a few inches of seat room left.
With no in seat back monitors, the view from the seat was pretty austere. There were no holders for ipads or other cradles for electronic devices, making this cabin fairly bare bones when compared to other carriers within Canada.
The only redeemable feature of thie cabin was the in console Empower in flight power offering a USB-A power slot, along with a North American Three prong power port.
I would end up using the chargers to re-charge my devices while we waited.
Departing Ottawa International Airport:
We were late getting underway. We stopped at de-icing for a covering of deicing fluid across the wings and vertical stabilizer.
Food & Beverage:
On this short 40 minute flight, there was no food and beverage offered. Even up in business class, we did not get the usual beverage offering. As such, there was nothing to report.
Arriving into Toronto International Airport:
On arrival to Toronto International Airport we touchdown without delay. However the Toronto Airport authority appeared to be short of baggage handlers. As a result all the gates were completely full.
We spent about 90 minutes waiting for a gate to open up. There’s nothing like wanting to make your connection knowing that you’re just short of reaching your gate. Fortunately, the lack of baggage handlers meant that other aircraft were not able to leave either. I spent this time seated on board entertaining myself through my smart phone.
As a result, I ended up making my connection after all, before getting onto Air Canada Business Class Toronto – Vancouver. Unfortunately, Air Canada lost my checked bag on this connection, and I would be about seventy two hours before I would be re-united with it again after arriving in Vancouver, Canada.
My thoughts on Air Canada Rouge:
Air Canada Rouge is aptly placed as a low cost carrier. While it offered a nice clean and new aircraft, it didn’t offer a whole lot for seasoned business travellers or hard core road warriors. The seating was compact as you might expect.
The in flight entertainment was self catering. While I didn’t get the opportunity to try out any food and beverage, there were no entertainment options onboard unless you happened to bring them yourself.
Overall, despite some cosmetic improvements, and speaking as a corporate business traveller perspective, I’d probably continue to stay clear of Air Canada Rouge aircraft if an Air Canada mainline choice was available.
World Traveller 73 
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