The fee for checking in baggage on WestJet and Air Canada has gone up in line with similar fee hikes undertaken by other airlines.
This increase comes 10 days after American Airlines raised its baggage fees by US$5, with United, Delta, Allegiant, Spirit, and Frontiers doing the same in quick succession.
For customers who purchased an economy basic or standard fare with Air Canada on or after February 28 for travel within Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, or Central America, the fee went up US$5, from US$30 to US$35 for the first bag and to US$50 for a second bag.
For WestJet tickets purchased on or after February 15, a similar US$5 increase has been imposed for first and second checked bags, going up to US$65 for an airport check-in for a basic fare for the first bag and up to US$89 for a second.
In a statement to Global News on Friday, March 1, Air Canada said the fee raise was “in line with other North American carriers”. WestJet said in a statement Friday that it “charge checked bag fees so that we can keep base fares lower for all travellers”.
A WestJet spokesman explained that since 2018, the airline’s checked baggage fees have held firm in the face of a pandemic, inflation, rising operating and fuel costs. Carry-on bags remain free of charge for both airlines.
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