Hi !
What would you chose (price is more or less the same)
Option 1) direct flight from YUL to Rome (a310 or a330 depending Days)nd direct flight from Venice tour YUL (a310) with Transat
Option 2) direct flight from YUL to Rome (A330) with regular Air Canada and direct Return from Venice to YUL with Rouge.
Thanks!
Read Air Canada Rouge reviews on line. I've had a bad experience with one flight and refuse to ever consider another flight with them. Very substandard service for international flight including cabin overhead lights not working, no seat back entertainment (pay extra for a rented ipad), inadequate staff (no cleanup after the evening meal until morning), luggage sized per Air Canada website would not fit in the over head bin, and more. I bought a full price ticket through United and had no idea that it was a bare bones service.
I haven't flown with Air Transat for a few years, but as I recall their service was good. I normally use Air Canada for flights to Europe, so have a lot more experience with them.
If you're planning on flying with Air Canada Rouge i would strongly recommend that you upgrade to Premium Economy as that makes a BIG difference. The flights that I've taken with Rouge so far have been PE and those were some of the most comfortable and best flights I've ever had.
If you're using "regular" Air Canada flights, Economy is satisfactory but PE is so much nicer. Your choice......
My husband had a coworker who flew Rouge - he said he'd never had a more uncomfortable flight and wouldn't do it again - I may think of it for a short haul, but long haul - I'd prob look at upgrading. He said the seats were cramped and uncomfortable - but then again - he was a big and tall guy - if you are of smaller proportions, it may be fine. I see people complaining about Air Canada economy, but I've had no issues - my husband and I are of average height and slightly above average weight (by 10 lbs or so).
Never flown with Air Transat, but my mom used to when they would do direct flights from Halifax to the UK. She didn't mind them at all. What time of day does Transat leave Venice?
I take the word hate very seriously... I do not overuse it... I HATE Air Canada...like with a passion!!!
I would use ANY other airline if I could. I haven't flown transat in a few years and have only flown them to the islands but would pick them over any type of Air Canada flight.
Have you looked into Westjet? I know they have added quite a few destinations for 2018... LOVE Westjet!
Air Transat is fine for both London and Paris but we always upgrade to “Optimum Plus”. Doesn’t cost that much more and is infinitely more comfortable. In winter, flights to London are only once a week, though, while the flights to Paris are daily all year round. I love that Air Transat uses Terminal 3 at CDG. So easy to negotiate and a short walk to the stop for bus 351 into Paris.
While Air Canada can be reasonable, run the other way from Rouge. If you check on seatguru.com, you will find that their economy seats are pitched at 30" (and likely even less per the reviews), while other airlines, including Air Canada and Trasnat, are 31-32" for transatlantic flights. This is because Rouge squeezes several more rows of seats onto the same plane. While such a seat pitch can be tolerated for a short connecting flight, unless you are very short, this is unacceptable for a long-distance many hour flight.
Add me to the list of folks who avoid Rouge when ever possible. So uncomfortable, and service and amenities are what you expect from a bare bones outfit. OTOH, we flew Air Canada on our last trip and we're very comfortable. Haven't flown Transat for years ( but will be in a few weeks). Our daughter and SIL did fly with them to Mexico a few months ago and both said it was a comfortable flight. And these are both large people.
Flown both though not Rouge internationally as it’s AC’s low cost airline. Pick Air Transat.
Thanks for all those answers.
The general idea seems to be that Rouge is to be avoid.
I dont know if it does change something but seat pitch is not something we look because we are both short (5 foot 6) and not really overweight.
The things that make me look at Air Canmada fisrt is the fact thet the flight to Rome is regular service with screen in the chair. Transat doen't have that.
Air Canada (+ rouge) is also a bit cheaper (45$ per ticket).
The only time I didn't care for our Air Canada (regular) flight out of 6 flights is when we opted to fly to Montreal, then to Paris, as opposed to our usual habit of flying Halifax to Heathrow. Why? The planes from Montreal were bigger and a 3-4-3 layout, vs the smaller 2-3-2 from Halifax...so instead of having the window and aisle for me and hubby, we had a window and middle, with someone on the end and much less room. Not to mention the extra time spent flying west, then waiting 3-4 hrs at the airport in Mtl, then flying east again. Honestly, after that, I'll stick with flying to Heathrow and connecting there, or catching a train.
Otherwise, all our flights to Europe have been pretty good with AC (and even the Paris one wasn't intolerable). Nothing special, nothing horrible...I'm just happy to be going on holiday!
...and while a seat screen is nice, if you have an ipad/tablet (or laptop or don't mind squinting at a smartphone), you can just download a movie or two...or read...or listen to music...seat screen wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but both hubby and I have tablets...
"While Air Canada can be reasonable, run the other way from Rouge."
"Add me to the list of folks who avoid Rouge when ever possible."
Sometimes Air Canada Rouge is the best option on a particular route. For example, last year I was able to get from my home airport to Lisbon in two flights instead of three, and it was a much more pleasant trip.
To reiterate my comments from above, the key to a good flight with Rouge is to book Premium Economy. You'd need to book early as the best seats often sell out quickly. I generally book PE with the regular Air Canada now also, although it's not inexpensive.
Thanks once again !
We also have Ipad, so seat screen is not mandatory but still appreciated.
Be in preffered economy is 522$ per ticket and by leg ! If we take only on the Rouge flight it would add 1044$ on the cost of our ticket. My idea is that money can be better spend in Italy , on a very nice hotel and/or fancy meal.
Watch the sales! My husband managed to upgrade to Premium Economy on AC for only $400 total for the entire trip when there was a seat sale over the holidays. As he's 6'3" it was well worth it.
Those seats go fast though. I tried to do the same 2 minutes later and the seats were sold out ... (we couldn't book together as I had a different itinerary separate from my husband for part of the trip).
