In a Wednesday news release, the Inuit-owned airline said the changes are in response to “a significant surge” in passengers carrying on and checking multiple bags.
The airline said that surge had resulted in luggage being bumped from flights, flight delays and fewer available seats.
“We understand that a lack of access to affordable products in the North sometimes means transporting extra items up via passenger flight,” the airline stated.
“Unfortunately, because of capacity and weight regulations, that has meant not all bags reach their destination when their owners do. Our goal is to right-size the number of checked bags in relation to our actual aircraft capacity.”
Canadian North’s new baggage system, which takes effect on May 29, increases the fees paid based on the number of bags passengers plan to check and the type of ticket they buy.
While everyone gets one checked bag for free, passengers with “saver” or “flex” tickets will pay $86.25 for a second bag and $138 for a third bag from May 29. Currently, a “saver” ticket-holder pays $57.50 for a second bag and $114.98 for a third bag. A “flex” ticket-holder currently gets a second checked bag for free and pays $114.98 for a third.
The first checked bag is always considered “priority” and travels with the passenger. Depending on the fare class, from May 29 a second bag will either be priority or will travel on standby, meaning it may arrive on a later flight. Third bags travel on standby. Any extra bags must be shipped separately as cargo.
Fees remain the same for pets, but there is a new fee system for overweight or oversized baggage.
“With these revisions, we will ensure our customers and their allotted baggage arrive at their destination together,” Shelly De Caria, Canadian North’s president and chief executive officer, was quoted as saying.
