Air Canada rouge (RV, Toronto Pearson) launched its B737-8 operations on March 5, 2026, with a flight from Vancouver International to Edmonton International. The development is part of Air Canada’s plans to move all B737 MAX in its mainline fleet to the leisure-focused subsidiary, while moving all of rouge’s Airbus fleet to the mainline or retirement.
C-FTJV (msn 61207) has a configuration of 12 business class seats and 165 in economy class (18 with extra space). The aircraft last operated for the mainline on January 13.
The mainline carrier still has fifty B737-8s in its fleet, ch-aviation fleets data shows. Meanwhile, rouge’s fleet comprises seventeen A319-100s, five A320-200s, thirteen A321-200s, and now one B737-8.
To support rouge’s growth, Air Canada has opened a new crew base for the subsidiary in Vancouver, directly supporting more sun and leisure flying from western Canada, the company said in a statement.
Regarding rouge’s fleet, the company said: “Air Canada’s Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, currently operated by rouge, will be retrofitted to Air Canada’s latest design standard, as the airline also prepares for the introduction of new, longer-range Airbus A321-200NY(XLR) aircraft.” No information was given about the future of the A319s.
