Last year, Air Canada started a new service for long distance flights so I thought I’d give it a try for my trip from Canada to England. Often when making this trip I have flow on one of the charter airlines – Thomas Cook or Air Transat – as they are cheaper than the regular airlines. However, as I live in Saskatchewan, I have to fly on Air Canada or West Jet in order to get to an airport that the charters service. Being on the same airline for the whole trip was one of the attractions for trying out Air Canada Rouge. There are three levels of service: Rouge, Rouge Plus, and Premium. I flew Rouge.
As usual on the overnight flight from Toronto to Manchester, I did not get any sleep – I find it difficult to sleep on planes. The inflight entertainment on Air Rouge is dependent on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch – you can download the Apple app for free for the flight – or use your laptop. If you do not have a device, you can rent one for the flight for $10. I opted to read as I had watched a movie on the Regina-Toronto leg of my trip.
The food was okay although I do not need a meal at 11:00 pm. The breakfast just before landing was a slice of overly sweet banana bread so I would pack something different in my carry-on bag for my breakfast in the future.
The one snag with the flight was that all my documentation said the plane was landing at Terminal 1 in Manchester. Once I was through passport control with my luggage I realized we were in fact in Terminal 2. My family was waiting for me in Terminal 1. Luckily I know the airport well and was able to get myself to Terminal 1.
On the return flight, from Terminal 2 in Manchester, the meal was alright for plane food (chicken breast, mashed potato, carrots, corn salad, and currant and chocolate cookie) but the snack before we landed was a dismal waste – a nuked chicken wrap that was mush in the middle and hard at the ends.
Would I use this service again? Yes, for the convenience of the same carrier for the whole trip. I would just pack something to eat for snacks.
“Fly Rouge”:http://www.flyrouge.com