Rouge Redux: Air Canada Expands Comfort with New Cabins and Services
by Marsha Mowers
Air Canada is having a successful year on the labour front.
Air Canada has announced its most ambitious cabin renewal initiative yet, aimed at delivering a more comfortable, connected, and consistent experience on flights across North America. The multi-year program spans Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express, and introduces refreshed interiors, next-generation technology, and design enhancements based on feedback from both travellers and employees.
Air Canada is also extending its free complimentary beer, wine, and premium snacks to all North American flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express (Jazz).
“When customers step onto an Air Canada aircraft, they should instantly feel a sense of comfort, care, and pride,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada.
“Supported by award-winning service from co-workers across the company, this renewal program is about delivering that feeling consistently, across every flight. Whether traveling for business, leisure, or something in between, every update is designed with our customers in mind. Notably, this program includes an entirely new Air Canada Rouge product with cutting-edge in-flight entertainment, Fast, Free Wi-Fi, and seats that recline for all customers.”
All Boeing 737 MAX 8 currently part of Air Canada’s mainline fleet will transition to Air Canada Rouge through 2026. The updated 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 Fast, Free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members. Air Canada is also adding a Rouge crew base in Vancouver.
Air Canada will continue to invest in its A220 fleet that is designed and built in Quebec. The airline has an additional 26 Airbus A220-300s on order and will introduce its new design standard on future deliveries, including Airbus’ larger XL overhead bins, as of March 2026.
The news is inline with the airline’s mid-to long-term revenue targets as we discussed earlier this month with Travel Market Report Canada spoke with Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada, during a visit to the company’s headquarters in Montreal.
Galardo explained the next evolution of Air Canada — including the arrival of the new A321 XLR jets with an impressive 8,700 km range and expansion plans out of Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. Watch that full interview here.
