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After my recent visit to Memphis, I had the opportunity to explore yet another gem in Tennessee, Nashville. Often referred to as the Capital of Country Music, Nashville surprised me with its depth of experiences well beyond the genre it’s known for. This time around, I was headed to the city for a concert and planned it as a long weekend trip.
My flights were with Air Canada Rouge, which offered direct service between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Nashville International (BNA). Air Canada Rouge is Air Canada’s leisure-focused subsidiary, operating flights primarily to vacation and secondary markets, and the Preimum Rouge features recliner-style seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration, more akin to those found in premium economy cabins in Canada and the US.
Air Canada Premium Rouge
Aeroplan Booking – Air Canada Premium Rouge
With ideal flight times for a quick escape, AC1717 departs Toronto at 16:50, and the return, AC1716, departs Nashville at 18:45. The two-hour flight timing worked perfectly for a Friday to Sunday itinerary, giving me ample time on the ground.
Given the uncertainty around the concert, I booked an Economy Latitude fare to build flexibility into my trip. This allowed me to leverage my Aeroplan eUpgrades to upgrade to business class right away. The total cost of my return trip journey came to 57,000 Aeroplan points and $158 in taxes and fees.
Sure, you could fly to Nashville for under 10,000 Aeroplan points (dynamic pricing) one-way in basic economy, or under 20,000 round-trip if you’re going no-frills. But for me, the peace of mind with Latitude was well worth the premium, especially with the possibility of last-minute cancellations.
Air Canada Premium Rouge – Toronto to Nashville (AC1717)
As always, my pre-boarding ritual included a relaxing stop at the Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 1 at Pearson. Having lounge access is half the appeal of booking business class, especially when you can settle in with a drink and light bites before takeoff.
I selected seat 1A for the outbound, primarily for the extra legroom, and luck was on my side as no one was in the seat beside me. Boarding was smooth and efficient, and although there was no pre-departure drink (a detail I always notice), we were handed bottled water once we were seated.
In Rouge Business Class, there is no in-seat entertainment system. Instead, passengers stream content to their own devices using the Air Canada app. Service is friendly but simplified, with meals and beverages presented more casually. The in-flight meal was a flatbread cheese pizza served on a bed of greens with sundried tomatoes and almonds, Air Canada’s version of elevated comfort food. It oddly reminded me of the new flatbread pizza at Tim Hortons. I paired it with a Johnny Walker Black Label for good measure. The service was fine, not overly enthusiastic, but professional enough.
AC Premium Rouge Meal – flatbread pizza
Premium Rouge Drink
Weekend in Nashville – Highlights
For this trip, I split my stay between the Aloft West End Nashville and the Conrad Hilton property, both of which are within walking distance of each other and conveniently located near the downtown bar scene.
No trip to Nashville would be complete without a pilgrimage to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg. I took an all-day guided tour that left around 9 a.m., with a 90-minute drive each way and a guided tasting tour of about 90 minutes. A highlight was browsing their limited-edition whiskies, which would make for an ideal souvenir for any whiskey enthusiast.
Jack Daniel’s Distillery – Lynchburg
In the city itself, the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must-visit even if you’re not a die-hard fan of the genre. And if you can, catch a live show at the Grand Ole Opry, a venue steeped in history and charisma.
Grand Ole Opry – Nashville
Of course, no visit to Nashville would be complete without diving into the local Hot Chicken scene. I tried multiple spots:
Each one brought a unique take on the famous fiery bird. If you’re into bold flavours, Nashville does not disappoint.
Nashville Hot Chicken – Mural
One thing that stood out? Nashville has truly earned its reputation as the bachelorette capital of the USA. Expect to see bridal parties everywhere, from rooftop bars to pedal taverns.
A bachelorette party bus – Nashville
Air Canada Premium Rouge – Nashville to Toronto (AC1716)
My return flight was scheduled for 18:45, allowing me most of the day to soak in a bit more of Nashville before heading to the airport. While Nashville International Airport (BNA) has been undergoing some impressive renovations, it’s worth noting that there are currently no Star Alliance or Priority Pass lounges available. Delta and American Airlines operate lounges, but they’re off-limits unless you’re flying those carriers.
Once again, I managed to snag the front row and had the seat next to me free. The meal service mirrored the outbound, the same flatbread pizza and salad combo. However, on the return, we also received a bowl of warm nuts, a mix of almonds and cashews, which was a satisfying touch.
AC Premium Rouge – Flatbread Chesse Pizza
Warm bowl of nuts – Premium Rouge
Service was consistent with the outbound leg, and after a long day exploring the city, I was especially glad for the legroom and relative quiet of business class. A flight time of just under two hours was ideal for unwinding without losing the evening.
Takeaway
While the flight time is short enough to fly in economy without much discomfort, I appreciated Air Canada Premium Rouge for its slightly more spacious seating, quicker boarding, and a small meal. If Air Canada could partner with an existing lounge at Nashville to provide some pre-flight comfort for its premium cabin passengers, it would significantly elevate the entire experience. Because, as any traveller will tell you, the vacation doesn’t really end until you get off that plane.
Related Reading – Weekend in Memphis, a city of Kings
