Air Canada transfers first 737-8 to Rouge

Air Canada has formally handed over the first of 45 Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Rouge, reports Airways Magazine.

The aircraft was the first Boeing 737 MAX received by the airline back in October 2017. Last week, it reportedly finished a cabin refurbishment in Kelowna and is set to begin operations with Rouge in the coming weeks.

The initiative is part of a major fleet realignment between Air Canada’s mainline and Rouge, with all 737s moving to the leisure carrier in return for Rouge’s existing Airbus A321 aircraft.

As reported, the updated Rouge cabins will feature 12 Business Class seats, 18 Preferred extra legroom Economy seats, and 147 Standard Economy seats – each reclining, featuring personal on-demand entertainment screens and free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members.

As well, to support the transition, a new Rouge crew base will be opened in Vancouver, providing more choices for leisure travellers from Western Canada.

Air Canada plans to have all 45 aircraft transferred by year’s end.

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