Air Canada and WestJet Raise Checked Baggage Fees
Canadian travellers will be forced to dig deeper into their wallets and purses after the country's two largest airlines announced a fee increase for passengers to check their bags.
WestJet is raising the price for the first checked bag to $30 from $25, and for the second bag to $50 from $30.
Air Canada's fees are slightly higher: $31.50 for the first bag and $52.50 for the second.
The increases follow similar fee hikes by major U.S. airline JetBlue.
WestJet's higher fees apply to bookings made on or after Aug. 24 for travel on or after Oct. 1 within Canada. For transborder and international destinations, the higher fees apply to bookings made on or after Aug. 28 for travel Oct. 1 and later.
Air Canada's new fees apply to tickets purchased on or after Aug. 21 for travel Oct. 5 and beyond. The new baggage fees apply on flights across Canada, to and from the United States, the Caribbean and Mexico, departing on or after Oct. 5.
The new bag fees apply to travellers flying on both airlines' lowest fare categories. Higher, more flexible fare types include checked luggage options.
What are Air Canada's checked baggage fees?
$31.50 for the first bag; $52.50 for the second.
What are WestJet's checked baggage fees?
$30 for the first bag, $50 for the second.