Air Transat or Air Canada?? | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

Hi All

If prices are almost the same and flight times are almost identical…. which would you choose for a trip from Toronto to Holguin? …and why?

I would go Air Canada because if there’s a mechanical issue they have way more available aircraft to slide in as a replacement. I’m also not a fan of charters unless I’ve bought an upgrade. I have enough points to upgrade on Air Canada anytime and I also have use of their Maple Leaf Lounge. Air Canada’s checked luggage weight is slightly higher. That’s just me though, your mileage may differ…Cheers,

Terry

For me, it would have to be a "toss up"… whoever had the better flight times.
We were actually looking at flights to Holguin, same scenario as you posted… they both were late departures out of YYZ ~ you get to the resort between 10-11pm. Then upon return, one flew into YYZ at 1:30am and the other was 2:20am…

Neither were really a great choice for us.

both flights….if we can get away, are late only 1/2 hour apart…which is what I love. It appears that the Air Transat flight is on a Canjet – so I am guessing no club class option???

Why good for us to have late flights good???? I figure if there is a delay I only loose sleep time and on the way back we get a full day before we have to leave. And a late return – I always book "Me" time for the 1st day back – no clients just animals and laundry to deal with and that I can do 1/2 awake or 1/2 asleep.

	I would fly with Air Canada, I like to go with major carriers rather than charters when I have a choice.

	the Air Canada is actually A/C Rouge…. Okay it has been so long since I have flown A/C I did not realize they had Rouge??

	I’d go Transat……too bad it isn’t their aircraft, as Club Class is always worthwhile. But if the choice is Canjet or Rouge, I think Canjet is a better option. JMHO.

	If I had the option AT, but not possible from Vancouver, AC is great, how ever rouge great people way to small of a plane no leg room….

	I have never taken Air Canada to Cuba, but have used Transat many times because the price is usually lower. I find that in Transat, the seats are really packed in. Does anybody else feel this? I’m only 5’10, but I have never been more cramped than in Transat. How is Air Canada for space? Better or worse?

Dont do Rouge…it’s not Air Canada…don’t kid yourself!! Air Canada is moving towards ALL thier south flights to be Rouge and now including the Southern US as well as Vegas etc. It was supposed to compete with other charters/low cost carriers. But there is NO price difference from their regular Air Canada fares and a total lack of benefits!I love Air Canada, but Rouge is a nightmare. Very often delayed, late, crew is young, unexperienced, no meals, no food unless pay for, no in seat entertainment, have to pay to rent a ipad if you want anything to do during flight.Those are just a few of the reasons why NOT to use them. Some other things to check are luggage limits, restrictions, seat sizes etc.

If its a normal Air Transat plane, it wins hands down. Even if not, do your homework on it.

Oh, and for those that like to book the "excutive" class when flying south on vacation..if you book it on the Rouge planes that are the A319, the seats in the front are still the 3×3 configuration! So your seat is no bigger than anyone else on the plane!! Yes you can raise the armrest, but you cant even do that in the front row.I could go on about how inferior Rouge is, but I think I have put enough here for people to get a good idea.

And I am not-anti AC! I used to book every flight south with them that I could because of the options, connections and aeroplan…..but Rouge is changing everything about that.

Thanks the heads-up, monctonguy. I’ve flown to Cuba a lot on Air Canada but not for the last couple of years. I didn’t know that their regularly scheduled flights were all Rouge now. Yuck. I retract my Reply #1…Cheers,

Terry

	Dont do Rouge…it’s not Air Canada… Thanks for the update Monctonguy. Latest joke on the review pages is: ‘Help I’ve been Rouged’

Terry

Yes, its alot cheaper for AC to use the Rouge planes i am sure, as most of the flight attendants/crew are kids making alot less than regular AC flight attendants. I don’t know how far or deep this will go, but it certainly seems to be taking over ALOT of routes!

Dont do Rouge…it’s not Air Canada… Thanks for the update Monctonguy. Latest joke on the review pages is: ‘Help I’ve been Rouged’

Yes, I had heard or read that somewhere…it’s pretty bad. But I have experienced it first hand. It was pretty bad to say the least. Air Canada wasn’t perfect but had some redeeming qualites and benefits. With Rouge you get ALL of the down side, with NONE of the benefits.

And I am not-anti AC! I used to book every flight south with them that I could because of the options, connections and aeroplan…..but Rouge is changing everything about that.

Wow! That’s good to know! Thanks for sharing!

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