The first of its updated Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft has entered service at Air Canada Rouge. This marks the latest milestone in Rouge’s comprehensive cabin renewal program.
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This fleet transition will allow most customers flying Rouge leisure and sun routes across North America and the Caribbean to enjoy upgraded interiors, including personal seatback entertainment, reclining seats and complimentary Fast, Free Wi-Fi sponsored by Bell.
To support this leisure-focused growth, Air Canada has opened a new Rouge crew base in Vancouver, coinciding with the entry into service of the first Rouge Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This investment directly supports more sun and leisure flying from Western Canada, such as the recently announced return of winter service from Calgary to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
Air Canada’s Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, currently operated by Rouge, will be retrofitted to Air Canada’s latest design standard, as the airline also prepares for the introduction of new, longer-range Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Upgrades to the customer experience also extend to regional travel, with Air Canada Express aircraft operated by Jazz to be fitted with new cabins and next generation Fast, Free Wi-Fi.
Future fleet
As part of its ongoing fleet modernization program, Air Canada recently announced an order for eight Airbus A350-1000s. This is in addition to the 14 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners expected to start entering service later this year.
Air Canada is also set to welcome in the coming months the first of its 30 Airbus A321XLRs, while continuing to take deliveries of the Canadian-built Airbus A220, with 23 aircraft remaining on its firm order of 65.