Air Canada Rouge Review [2024]: Are the cheap flights worth it?

While you might have heard of Air Canada before flying to or from Canada, you might not know that they actually operate an entirely different low-cost budget airline. In search for cheap flights, you might have seen airlines like Swoop, Avelo, Volaris, and Flair, but another budget airline you might want to check out is Air Canada Rouge.

But just because they're operated entirely with Air Canada doesn't mean that they're any good.

Read on to learn more about Air Canada Rouge; from where it flies to its cancellation policies our detailed review will provide you with everything you must know before booking. 

What is Air Canada Rouge?

Air Canada Rouge is a subsidiary of Air Canada. Although it's a separate airline from Air Canada, it's fully integrated into the Air Canada network. That means that you'll only be able to book through the Air Canada's main booking page. Air Canada Rouge flights carry the Air Canada 'AC' flight numbers. Still, they will be marked on schedules as "operated by Air Canada Rouge." 

One notable difference between Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge is the cost of travel. Air Canada Rouge is budget-friendly, and the planes are also more densely packed than those in Air Canada's fleet. ‍

What you need to know about Air Canada Rouge

Where do they fly?

Air Canada Rouge mainly operates routes within Canada, the U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean.

‍‍Does Air Canada Rouge serve food? 

When you're about to fly, you need to know if your airline will be serving food (so you can grab something to eat beforehand if you need to). 

Air Canada Rouge does serve food on flights. On all flights over 2 hours, they offer a main course, appetizer, bread, and dessert. A snack choice will also be provided before landing. On flights under 2 hours, they offer a hot breakfast or a cold snack, depending on the time of day.

On all flights, you'll have the opportunity to choose from various beverage options, including Bottega sparkling wine.‍

Baggage Restrictions 

It's always important to know how many bags you're allowed to bring on a flight and the baggage restrictions. 

On Air Canada Rouge flights, you can bring one standard article and one personal article free of charge.

The standard article should weigh no more than 10 kg (22 lbs), and the dimensions should not be more than 23 x 40 x 55 cm (9 x 15.5 x 21.5 inches). The personal item should have maximum dimensions of 16 x 33 x 43 cm (6 x 13 x 17 inches).

For additional baggage, a fee applies. These fees can be found on Air Canada's website.‍‍

Air Canada Rouge Premium

Air Canada Rouge offers an upgraded fare type called Air Canada Rouge Premium (similar to business class). It provides more leg room, hot meals with beverages such as wine and spirits, and in-flight entertainment. 

With Premium, you'll get a refund on your flight even if you cancel after 24 hours of booking. 

Careers? 

Air Canada Rouge is constantly hiring; some positions may include flight attendants and communications managers. You can find a listing of all open job positions. 

Air Canada Rouge Cancellation Policy

Sometimes, our plans may fall through, and we must cancel a booked flight. Air Canada Rouge has the same 24-hour cancellation policy as Air Canada. The policy states that if you cancel your booking within 24 hours of purchase, Air Canada will provide a full refund or simply cancel the payment transaction.

For cancellations outside of the 24 hours, the refund will depend on the fare type you purchased. For example, basic fares do not include a refund after 24 hours, while Latitude and Premium Rouge fares do.‍

‍Contact Information

If you need to contact Air Canada Rouge's customer service, you can do so by calling 1-888-247-2262. The number is toll-free 24/7 within Canada and the U.S.

What are people saying about Air Canada Rouge?

The reviews on Air Canada Rouge are mixed, giving it an overall average rating. Some positive reviews note comfort, excellent customer service, and good cabin crew, making the flight a good value for the price.

While there are many positive reviews, there is also an overwhelming amount of negative ones. Several travelers note complaints about delays, lack of leg room, and lack of entertainment on older aircraft. Other negative reviews also suggest lousy customer service, lack of organization, and too much hassle.

Is Air Canada Rouge worth it?

Air Canada Rouge could be a good fit if you're looking for a budget airline that flies within North America and the Caribbean. This budget airline, like many others, has its downsides. Make sure to take that into consideration when making a decision. Overall, the compromises are worth it if you're not too worried about cabin space, extra baggage, entertainment, or amenities.

For some travelers, the prices of Air Canada Rouge can be worth letting go of some additional features.

Our Rating: 3.3/5 

Pros:

• Budget friendly 
• Food on flights over 2 hours long 
• 24-hour cancellation policy
• Free carry on
• Free personal item
• Good customer service

Cons:

• Limited free baggage allowance
• Not many destinations
• Limited entertainment on older aircrafts
• No refunds after 24 hours with some fare types 
• Uncomfortable seats

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