- First Air Canada Rouge 737 MAX aircraft featuring personal seatback entertainment, Fast, Free Wi-Fi and reclining seats, is now in service
- Air Canada Rouge's new Vancouver crew base opens today, growing leisure travel options from Western Canada
- 45 Boeing 737 MAX are expected to transition to Rouge by the end of 2026, supporting Air Canada cabin upgrades across North America
MONTRÉAL, March 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Canada today announced the first of its updated Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft has entered service at Air Canada Rouge, introducing the industry's best leisure carrier experience. This marks the latest milestone in Rouge's comprehensive cabin renewal program, focused on delivering a more comfortable, connected, and consistent onboard experience.
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.
"When customers step onto our 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. Every update is designed with our customers in mind, as we introduce an entirely new Air Canada Rouge product with cutting-edge in-flight entertainment, Fast, Free Wi-Fi, and seats that recline for all customers."
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.
Bringing More Comfort to Air Canada Rouge
Customers flying Rouge will enjoy free wine, beer - including non-alcoholic beer - and Canadian-made premium snacks on all North American and Caribbean flights. The in-flight menus showcase beloved Canadian brands, for an elevated in-flight experience tailored to a range of tastes, including Canadian favourites like MadeGood Morning Bars (on flights before 10 a.m.), TWIGZ pretzels, and Leclerc Célébration cookies.
Improvements to the Rouge fleet focus on what matters most to customers on shorter trips: an upgraded cabin, improved technology, and small details to make the journey easier and more comfortable. The cabins are configured to give customers a choice of 12 Business Class seats, 18 Preferred seats offering extra space, and 147 Standard Economy seats.
Modernizing the North American Fleet
The transformation extends across the entire network. 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.
Upcoming Additions to the 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.
These aircraft will enter service with Air Canada's next generation cabin design and standards, including improved connectivity and in-flight entertainment offerings.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada's Aeroplan program is Canada's premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world's largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada's passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada's climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada's TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC) in Canada and the OTCQX (ACDVF) in the US.
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