Air Canada has re-affirmed its commitment to Air Canada Rouge after the low-cost airline resumed flights on Tuesday. Air Canada Rouge has restarted flights to three destinations, and the parent airline said Air Canada Rouge remained integral to Air Canada's overall strategy.

In a statement, Air Canada said Air Canada Rouge has re-commenced flights between Toronto and Las VegasOrlando, and Regina. Other destinations are being introduced in September, including Cancun and Tampa.

"As we emerge from the pandemic, we anticipate increased demand for vacation travel and from customers flying to enjoy overdue visits with family and friends," said Jon Turner, Vice President Inflight Services and President, Rouge Operations, at Air Canada.

"Air Canada's leisure airline is ideally suited to serve this market with a compelling array of leisure destinations and an inviting travel experience so that the holidays begin as soon as customers board an Air Canada Rouge aircraft."

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

Air Canada Rouge flights to Las Vegas, Orlando, and Regina restart

Effective Tuesday, September 7, Air Canada Rouge is flying daily between Toronto (YYZ) and Las Vegas (LAS). Operated by an Airbus A321-200, AC1851 pushes back from YYZ at 09:00 for the four-hour and 54-minute flight to Las Vegas, landing at 10:54. The Airbus departs Las Vegas as AC1852 at 12:15, landing back in Toronto at 19:15.

Back in Air Canada Rouge's schedule is Regina in Saskatchewan. AC1695 leaves Toronto at 08:50 every morning and heads west to Regina (YQR). Flying time on the A321-200 operating the flight is three hours and 19 minutes. AC1695 lands in Regina at 10:09. After 90 minutes on the ground, AC1694 departs YQR at 11:40 and lands back in YYZ at 16:31.

If sunny Orlando appeals, Air Canada Rouge has also resumed daily flights from Toronto. Departing YYZ at 10:15, AC1672 is in the air for two hours and 45 minutes before touching down at Orlando (MCO) at 13:00. The return flight, AC1673, closes its doors at 14:20 and lands back in YYZ at 16:59.

air-canada-rouge-a321-200
Flights to Tampa and Cancun are resuming later this month. Photo: Air Canada Rouge

Air Canada Rouge flights to Cancun & Tampa later this month

Simple Flying spies daily nonstop Air Canada Rouge flights between Toronto and Cancun (CUN) from Sunday, September 19. Leaving YYZ at 08:40, AC1810 takes three hours and 55 minutes to cover the 1615 miles (2,599 kilometers) down to the Mexican holiday spot, landing at 11:35. AC1811 pushes back at Cancun at 12:55 and touches down at Toronto at 17:45.

Flights between Toronto and Tampa are beginning on Friday, September 17. Departing Toronto at a civilized 10:00, AC1654 lands in Tampa (TPA) at 12:46 after a two-hour and 46-minute flight. The return flight, AC1655, leaves Tampa at 14:00 and is back in Toronto at 16:49.

air-canada-rouge-a321-200
Premium economy seats on Air Canada Rouge's A321-200 aircraft. Photo: Air Canada Rouge

Refurbished Air Canada Rouge A321-200s soon to start flying

Air Canada Rouge is deploying its A321-200 aircraft on all five routes. Nine of the airline's A321-200s are undergoing cabin refurbishments. Air Canada Rouge says the first of the refurbished aircraft will take to the skies imminently.

Passengers on these planes will enjoy leather seats with a 30" pitch. The refurbished aircraft will also feature upgraded streaming entertainment, upgraded personal power options, including USB-C ports, and a personal electronic device holder integrated into the seatback.

While there are no guarantees that passengers will score a refurbished A321-200, especially on flights over the next month or two, the spruced-up planes are being integrated back into the fleet. But you could assume, after months of no flying, Air Canada Rouge will be keen to show off their flagship planes.