Air Canada Rouge: Is Premium Rouge Worth the Upgrade? (SAN to YYZ)

Air Canada Rouge: A Premium Experience Worth Considering (Even in 2024)

In 2018, I embarked on a journey from San Diego (SAN) to Moscow (VKO), and the best business class option involved flying Air Canada Rouge from San Diego to Toronto (YYZ), connecting to Turkish Airlines. Despite some initial reservations based on online reviews, I decided to give Air Canada Rouge's Premium Rouge a try, and I'm glad I did.

One of the key things to know about Air Canada Rouge is that their aircraft often lack seat-back entertainment. However, they provide complimentary iPads to Premium Rouge passengers loaded with movies and TV shows. I found the selection to be surprisingly diverse, including international films and French-language options. While Wi-Fi wasn't available on my flight, the provided entertainment kept me occupied.

The Premium Rouge cabin features comfortable seats with ample legroom (37 inches of pitch) and a 2x2 configuration. The seats felt comparable to domestic First Class on US carriers. The overhead bins provided plenty of space for carry-on luggage.

The flight attendants were attentive and friendly, and the meal service was excellent. I opted for the hot meal option, which was delicious. Announcements were kept to a minimum and made in both English and French.

While Air Canada Rouge primarily serves leisure routes to destinations like Las Vegas, San Diego, and the Caribbean, it can be a solid option for connecting to international flights, as it was in my case. While there are differences between Air Canada and Rouge, such as less seat pitch in Economy and no seat-back entertainment, Premium Rouge offers a comfortable and enjoyable experience that rivals domestic First Class. As of 2024, most of this review is still accurate, with the exception of some Covid-19 measures that may have been implemented.

If you're looking for a comfortable and convenient way to travel within North America or connect to an international flight, don't hesitate to consider Air Canada Rouge Premium Rouge. It might just surprise you.