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Air Canada to expand Air Canada rouge to 23 holiday destinations, will expand to 50 aircraft

Air Canada (Montreal) announced the growth of its leisure carrier subsidiary, Air Canada rouge, is on track to expand to a total of 23 holiday destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Florida and Las Vegas for its 2013-2014 winter season.

“We are delighted with the response to Air Canada rouge’s inaugural summer season as it prepares for take-off July 1st,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer, inToronto for a pre-inaugural event with employees and media. “Our plans for growing the Air Canada rouge fleet are on track to serve more holiday destination markets where we can now compete on a more cost effective basis operating our new leisure carrier, while leveraging the strength of Air Canada Vacations. Once Air Canada rouge completes its inaugural summer season to Edinburgh, Venice, Athens and a number of Caribbean destinations, its flying will expand southward for the winter to an additional 13 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and select U.S. holiday markets. I would like to commend Michael Friisdahl and his team at Air Canada rouge for overcoming the complexity and challenges of launching a new carrier in record time with professionalism and an impressive sense of purpose. I also congratulate the first Air Canada rouge inflight graduating class who we expect will set an excellent customer service standard for vacation travel.”

“As new Boeing 777-300 ER and 787 aircraft enter the Air Canada mainline fleet, we intend to continue spooling up Air Canada rouge to reach a total of up to 50 aircraft. The growth of our leisure carrier, in tandem with the mainline fleet renewal and international network expansion, is a key element of Air Canada’s overall strategy for sustainable, profitable growth, both at the mainline and leisure carrier. With a renewed, more efficient fleet combined with our award-winning product, Air Canada will be well positioned to expand its mainline global network to new, higher business-demand destinations while Air Canada rouge profitably expands Air Canada’s presence on a lower cost basis in current and future leisure markets that present new opportunities,” concluded Mr. Rovinescu.

Air Canada will take delivery of five new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft for its mainline fleet between June 2013 and February 2014, and the first three of 37 Boeing 787 aircraft by the summer of 2014. Air Canada is scheduled to take delivery of seven 787 aircraft in 2014 and the remaining 30 between 2015 and 2019.

Air Canada rouge’s July 1 start-up fleet consisting of two Airbus A319 aircraft and two Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft will grow to ten aircraft by the end of 2013 with the addition of six Airbus A319 aircraft by December 2013, and an additional four Airbus A319 aircraft by March 2014, for a total of 14 aircraft by the end of the 2013-2014 winter season.

A number of popular holiday destinations currently served by Air Canada’s mainline carrier will be converted to Air Canada rouge service on a phased-in basis beginning October 2013 through March 2014 as additional aircraft are released by the mainline airline for operation by its leisure carrier.

Air Canada rouge will operate flights to the following popular holiday destinations for its 2013-2014 Winter Schedule. Flights are now available for purchase at aircanada.com and through travel agents:

Mexico: flights from Toronto to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta*, Cabo San Lucas* and Huatulco*, subject to government approval.

United States: flights from Toronto and Montreal to Orlando and Las Vegas, and from Toronto to Sarasota*, Florida.

Caribbean: flights from Toronto to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grenada*; St. Kitts*; Grand Exuma, Bahamas; Curacao*, Netherlands Antilles; and La Romana*, Dominican Republic. This is in addition to Air Canada rouge service commencing with its summer 2013 schedule on July 1 from Toronto year-round to 10 Caribbean and Central America destinations: Kingston, Jamaica; the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Samana), Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin and Santa Clara) and Costa Rica (San Jose and Liberia).

* Seasonal services where indicated. All other routes are year-round services.

All flights will be operated using Airbus A319 aircraft, with the exception of Toronto-Las Vegas and Toronto-Montego Bay flights that will be operated with Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft.

Air Canada rouge’s Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft feature a two-cabin configuration with three customer comfort options including rouge, rouge Plus with preferred seating with additional legroom, and, beginning in winter 2013, Premium rouge offering both additional room and enhanced service. The airline’s Airbus A319 aircraft are configured with rouge and rouge Plus preferred seating. All flights will offer customers streamed wireless inflight entertainment, stylish and modern cabin interiors with innovative new seats, and the ability to earn and redeem Aeroplan miles.

Copyright Photo: Greenwing/AirlinersGallery.com. Air Canada rouge’s pilots have been performing proving flights to Dublin before the official July 1 launch. Boeing 767-33A ER C-GHPE (msn 33423) taxies at DUB.

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Air Canada rouge’s first newly painted Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft arrives at Mirabel airport

Air Canada rouge’s (Air Canada) first newly painted Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft touched down on Saturday morning (June 1) at Mirabel airport from Tel Aviv where it underwent an exterior transformation during a scheduled maintenance check. The plane was flown from Tel Aviv by Air Canada pilots Captain David Lywood, First Officer Kurtis Paproski and Captain John Liska (above).

After being stripped to its aluminum base, painters applied primer, two coats of white and finally used massive stencils to spray on the airline’s distinct red and burgundy branding — about 70 gallons of paint were used over nearly eight days to complete the painting. In order to maximize fuel efficiency by adding minimal weight, the least amount of paint possible is applied while achieving optimal coverage. Following a short period flying Toronto-Dublin for Air Canada in June, starting July 1 the Boeing 767-300 ER plane will fly Air Canada rouge’s three European routes between Toronto (Pearson) and Venice/Athens/Edinburgh and Montreal (Trudeau)/Athens.

The aircraft will now undergo minor interior modifications; Air Canada rouge’s aircraft will be among the first in North America equipped to offer streaming inflight entertainment to customers’ own devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc).

It joins two Air Canada rouge Airbus A319 aircraft already at Mirabel airport, which will initially fly Caribbean routes and are also undergoing interior modifications to reflect the airline’s relaxed, stylish approach to leisure travel. With this delivery Air Canada rouge now has 3 of its 4 startup aircraft, with the last painted Boeing 767-300 ER arriving at Mirabel airport early next week. Air Canada rouge introduced its new inflight crew look earlier this week and also announced that its flight crews would be taking customer service excellence training at the Disney Institute in Orlando, Florida.

Copyright Photo: Air Canada. The crew of the ferry flight pose in front of Boeing 767-33A ER C-GHPE (msn 33423) at Montreal (Mirabel). C-GHPE is the first AC 767 to wear the rouge colors.

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Air Canada rouge unveils its uniforms

Air Canada (Montreal) has unveiled the uniforms for its new leisure airline Air Canada rouge. The airline issued this statement:

With its inaugural flight just over a month away, Air Canada rouge is taking a differentiated approach to leisure travel by focusing on customer service excellence through customized training and stylishly relaxed onboard apparel, both of which will contribute to a fresh, comfortable and vacation like environment for travellers.

Air Canada rouge flight attendants will receive customized service excellence training at the Disney Institute in Florida in addition to industry-leading safety and regulatory training from Air Canada at its Toronto and Montreal training centers. Their uniforms and overall look, unveiled today by six flight attendants-in-training, are comprised of stylishly relaxed, comfortable clothing, accessories and grooming that convey an approachable and friendly atmosphere onboard.

“Our inflight crews will embody the distinctive leisure personality that we want our customers to enjoy on Air Canada rouge,” said Michael Friisdahl, Air Canada rouge President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re investing in the Disney Institute’s service excellence training to ensure our customers’ vacations truly start when they board our aircraft. By offering exceptional customer service, uncompromising safety, a relaxed inflight environment and a host of Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations benefits, we’re confident Air Canada rouge will soon be the leading choice for leisure travel.”

Flight attendant training and recruitment
Air Canada rouge’s first 150 flight attendants will complete this week Air Canada’s intensive safety training program and in mid-June will attend customer service excellence training at the Disney Institute at Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida and at Air Canada rouge’s base in Toronto.

Air Canada rouge is accepting resumes for its next round of hiring which will begin later this summer with the next inflight class starting training in mid-August. The airline plans to train and hire, on average, 25-40 onboard flight attendants for every aircraft it takes delivery of in the next three years. Under current plans, subject to commercial demands, Air Canada rouge will have 20 B 767-300ER aircraft and 30 Airbus 319 aircraft in its fleet during the next 3 to 5 years. Air Canada rouge flight attendants are based in Toronto for operational start up and bases at other Canadian cities will be added as its network expands. Recruitment information is available at http://aircanadarouge.com/en/job_desc.html

Uniform and look: comfortably stylish to convey a warm welcome
“Our goal was to create a unique, welcoming and fashion forward look with lasting appeal that would also be practical and comfortable,” said Renee Smith-Valade, Vice President, Customer Experience. “We developed our uniform and overall look with our partners in record time – about four months — with close attention to cost and making every effort to engage with Canadian designers for an end result that reflects our relaxed, fun, holiday atmosphere onboard.”

Many partners were involved in the design, delivery and ongoing production of the new uniforms. The uniform concept was developed by Montreal’s VF Imagewear incorporating Air Canada rouge’s signature colours of burgundy and slate with bright accent colors to create a fresh, simple and relaxed style in keeping with the vacation atmosphere onboard. Signature custom elements such as Fluevog shoes, designer neckwear, luggage and L’Oreal/Redken beauty and grooming make for a distinctly on-trend and fresh Air Canada rouge look.

What’s next in Air Canada rouge’s Countdown to Takeoff?
Air Canada rouge’s next Countdown to Takeoff milestone in mid-June will be a hands-on look at the onboard experience that the airline’s customers will enjoy including cabin interiors and seating, wireless streaming inflight entertainment and menu offerings.

About Air Canada rouge
Air Canada rouge is Air Canada’s new leisure airline, part of the new Air Canada Leisure Group, along with Air Canada Vacations. Air Canada rouge will operate a fleet of Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus 319 aircraft sporting an attractive new livery and interior, designed to reflect the airline’s relaxed friendly ambience. Initially flights will operate from Toronto and Montreal to vacation spots in Europe and the Caribbean. Air Canada rouge is the only leisure airline that offers a full network of connecting flights, Aeroplan Miles with every flight as well as redemption, and Air Canada Vacations package holidays or flight-only options.

All Images: Air Canada.

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Air Canada paints the first Airbus A319 for Air Canada rouge

Air Canada (Montreal) has painted and handed over its first Airbus A319 for its new low-fare division called Air Canada rouge. The company issued these photos and short statement:

Countdown to takeoff! Air Canada rouge has just taken delivery of its first Airbus 319 aircraft in its new livery at Mirabel Airport today (May 22) where it will now undergo a new interior design. Air Canada rouge will soon be leading the way in affordable, leisure travel when service starts July 1. Further details will be released on flight team training and the unveiling of new uniforms starts on May 27.

Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada. Airbus A319-112 C-GSJB (msn 1673) is the first aircraft to be painted.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: Air Canada. Air Canada rouge VP Operations Al Read was on hand to take delivery of the leisure airline’s first Airbus 319 in its new livery today at Mirabel Airport, where the aircraft will be fitted with its new interior.

Air Canada rouge to serve Ireland year-round starting on May 1, 2014

Air Canada (Montreal) has announced that its current seasonal service between Toronto and Dublin, Ireland will be converted to year-round service operated by its new leisure carrier, Air Canada rouge, beginning in 2014. Air Canada will operate the route this year from May 17 through to September 30, 2013 and Air Canada rouge will commence year-round service starting May 1, 2014.

“Air Canada has been serving Ireland since its predecessor, Trans-Canada Air Lines, first flew to Shannon in 1947. Today, there is a very strong market for both leisure customers and visiting friends and relatives, so this is an ideal market for our new leisure carrier, Air Canada rouge, to operate more cost effectively on a year-round basis,” said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. “This is the fourth European destination announced for Air Canada rouge, which will begin flying this July to Edinburgh, Venice and Athens in addition to a number of Caribbean destinations. We intend to grow Air Canada rouge quickly from four aircraft to 32 aircraft by the end of 2014 and 42 aircraft by the end of 2015.”

Air Canada rouge‘s July 1 launch network also includes eleven destinations in the Caribbean. Its startup fleet consists of two Airbus A319 aircraft and two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft that will grow to ten aircraft by the end of 2013, 32 aircraft by the end of 2014 and 42 aircraft by the end of 2015.

Air Canada rouge‘s Boeing 767-300ER aircraft feature a two-cabin configuration with three customer comfort options including rouge, rouge Plus with preferred seating with additional legroom, and, beginning in winter 2013, Premium rouge offering both additional room and enhanced service. The airline’s Airbus A319 aircraft are configured with rouge and rouge Plus preferred seating.

Image: Air Canada.

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Air Canada introduces Air Canada rouge, its new leisure airline subsidiary

Air Canada (Montreal) today unveiled its new leisure airline. According to the carrier, the new subsidiary “marks a milestone in the transformation of Canada’s flag carrier to compete in the growing leisure travel sector. Special introductory fares are available for sale beginning today at aircanada.com and through travel agents. Along with details of the initial destinations it will fly to beginning in July 2013, the name of Canada’s new leisure airline – Air Canada rouge – was announced following a contest launched on Facebook inviting customers, employees and travel industry professionals for their input.”

“With the introduction today of Air Canada rouge, Air Canada enters today’s growing leisure travel market on a truly competitive basis,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, at a news conference in Toronto to unveil the new leisure airline. “In partnership with Air Canada Vacations, part of our new leisure group, Air Canada rouge will leverage the strengths of Air Canada’s extensive network, operational expertise and frequent flyer reward program in order to offer Canadians great value for their vacation travel.”

Michael Friisdahl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada’s Leisure Group, continued, “With leisure time at a premium, Air Canada rouge will combine affordable fares, great service and choice leisure destinations with those benefits offered by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations that are valued most by vacation travellers. We look forward to giving them a warm welcome onboard Air Canada rouge, Canada’s affordably stylish leisure airline.”

Special introductory Air Canada rouge fares now on sale to: Venice, Edinburgh, Athens, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica

For its inaugural 2013 season, Air Canada rouge will introduce new routes not currently operated by Air Canada to Venice, Italy and Edinburgh, Scotland. In addition, Air Canada seasonal services from Toronto and Montreal to Athens, Greece will be flown by the leisure carrier. Similarly, existing Air Canada flights operated in cooperation with Air Canada Vacations to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica will be operated by Air Canada rouge effective July 2013.

To celebrate the launch of Air Canada’s new leisure airline, special introductory fares are now available for purchase until December 25, 2012, subject to availability for travel on Air Canada rouge between July and October 26, 2013. Examples of special introductory fares based on Toronto departures:

Venice, Edinburgh and Toronto/Montreal-Athens: starting as low as $949 round-trip including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges.
Dominican Republic (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Samana) and Kingston, Jamaica: starting as low as $269 each way including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges.
Costa Rica (San Jose and Liberia): starting as low as $389 each way including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges.
Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin and Santa Clara): starting as low as $538 round-trip including all taxes, fees, charges and surcharges

Air Canada rouge flights to all destinations to be served in the carrier’s inaugural 2013 summer schedule will depart Air Canada’s main hub at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport offering customers seamless connections with Air Canada, Air Canada Express and its Star Alliance partner flights. Air Canada rouge will also operate non-stop flights to Athens from Montreal’s Trudeau Airport, in addition to its Toronto-Athens flights. Air Canada rouge customers benefit from attractively priced through-fares from any point within Air Canada’s extensive network on a single ticket as well as baggage checked through to final destination and Aeroplan mileage accumulation and redemption.

Air Canada Rouge 767-300 (12)(Flt)(Air Canada)(LRW)

All Images: Air Canada.

The Air Canada rouge fleet will initially be comprised of two Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft (above) to operate transatlantic flights in a two-cabin configuration offering a selection of rouge Plus™ seats with additional legroom and Premium rouge™ seats featuring additional seating comfort, space and enhanced meal and beverage service; and two Airbus A319 aircraft (below) to operate North American flights in an all-economy configuration offering a selection of rouge Plus seats with additional legroom. These four aircraft will be released from Air Canada’s existing fleet to Air Canada rouge as the mainline carrier takes delivery of two new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft in 2013, as announced October 1, 2012.

Air Canada Rouge A319-100 (12)(Flt)(Air Canada)(LRW)

Air Canada rouge will expand to other popular holiday destinations as Air Canada starts to take delivery of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in 2014, thereby freeing up aircraft for deployment in the Air Canada rouge fleet. As this occurs, and subject to commercial demand, Air Canada rougemay operate up to 20 Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft and 30 Airbus A319 aircraft, for a total of 50 aircraft, to pursue opportunities in markets made viable by Air Canada rouge’s lower operating cost structure. Flights operated by Air Canada rouge are subject to receiving all required regulatory approvals.

Two hundred new jobs will be created for flight attendants and pilots at Air Canada rouge, in addition to Air Canada hiring 900 employees to meet its own planned workforce requirements as part of its 2012-2013 recruitment program announced September 20, 2012.

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