WestJet and Air Canada's increased checked luggage fees come into effect today
Travellers flying with either WestJet or Air Canada will be paying a little extra on their flights, effective today, as both companies have announced they are increasing fees for checked luggage.
They have increased the cost of their baggage fees from $25 to $30 for the first bag and from $30 to $50 for the second bag.
According to Lauren Stewart, WestJet Spokesperson, the increase in baggage fees will “offset higher costs in today’s challenging and competitive market, while continuing to offer competitive prices for” guests.
“By raising our fees for optional services, such as checked bags,” she explains, “we can continue to maintain the lower fees.”
West Jet
Air Canada: First change since 2014
Air Canada also cited maintaining competitive ticket prices as the reason for its fee increase.
“As other carriers have done, Air Canada has adjusted checked baggage fees in certain fare classes in select markets,” Air Canada spokesperson Isabelle Arthur told Daily Hive.
Arthur noted the increase is the first change since 2014 “and will help offset increasing costs and keep overall ticket prices competitive.”
The new baggage fees are in effect for flights across Canada, to and from the US, Caribbean and Mexico.
Arthur said the changes do not apply to customers purchasing Economy Flex and Economy Comfort fares, who continue to receive a first checked bag free of charge. The fee also doesn’t apply to Altitude Prestige, Elite and Super Elite members, Star Alliance Silver and Gold members and customers purchasing Air Canada Vacations packages.
Signature and Business Class customers continue to receive an allowance of two checked bags, and military personnel (with identification) up to three checked bags, regardless of destination.
Air Canada’s baggage allowance policy continues to allow for a car seat and stroller to be checked as additional pieces of baggage free of charge.
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