The costs of these flights are increasing.
Some major airlines will be making additional fees for checked bags, as the cost of checking baggage goes up.
Starting in January, Air Canada will be charging economy travelers an extra fee to bring a bag larger than a carry-on bag or a small bag.
The fee is based on flights within the United States, according to the Miami Herald.
Passengers who choose the budget-friendly payment option are charged $25 for their first piece of checked-in baggage – which includes both roller bags and excess bags – and an additional $36 for a second.
If passengers fail to pay when collecting their tickets or checking in for departure, they will be charged an additional fee at the airport of $46.
Travelers on a budget will soon face baggage fees even when booking the most expensive ticket option. offsuperphoto – stock.adobe.com
In the new year, Air Canada customers who book low-fare tickets will be charged a large baggage fee. Ekaterina Pokrovsky – stock.adobe.com
Air Canada said the new policy, which takes effect January 3, “conforms[s] The airline’s revenue policy has similar contributions to other Canadian carriers,” according to the Miami Herald, although it has checked with Canadian lawmakers.
“Let’s just say I’m not happy today with what I heard from Air Canada,” Transport Minister Anita Anand said in a recent interview. “I think they should look at the people they are targeting with this excessive amount of money. It is not allowed.”
On January 21, the airline will also pay low prices for changing its seats that are suddenly assigned at check-in, a rule, according to the Miami Herald, which met with a terrible anger from customers earlier this year.
Air Canada’s new policy has drawn scrutiny from politicians. Ekaterina Pokrovsky – stock.adobe.com
Air Canada’s baggage policies follow in the footsteps of other airlines that charge additional fees for baggage larger than one free item.
Frontier, for one, has faced criticism for encouraging gate agents to nab customers trying to check-in luggage and avoid fees, though CEO Barry Biffle doubled down on the policy this week.
“He is a shoplifter. These people are stealing,” he told Reuters. “It’s not equal for everyone who follows the rules.”