Flying with Air Canada is about to become more expensive for passengers used to taking carry-on luggage with them as the airline has begun unbundling its fares and services.
Until now, Air Canada flyers at all levels of service were able to bring small carry-on items such as handbags, suitcases, duffels and rucksacks intended for cabin use. The airline attempted an unbundling earlier this year but backtracked amid a furious public response.
Now however, the Canadian flag carrier is trying again and has revealed that starting 3 January 2024, flyers taking one carry-on will need to pay $35 Canadian dollars (€23.5), while those flying with two bags will need to cough up $50 (€33.5). In line with European lawmakers’ views that small carry-ons are a necessary part of travel, small handbags or laptop bags will continue to be accepted without charge.
The luggage fees will be applicable to passengers booking “Basic” and “Comfort” economy seating tickets. And, in a pricing structure that discourages taking a gamble, if the luggage fees remain unpaid and customers show up at departures with items they should not have, they will then be required to pay $65 (€43.5) per item and check the baggage into the hold. Medical items are exempt from any fees.
Transport authorities, who have already had run-ins with Air Canada over its discriminatory treatment of passengers with additional needs, have expressed displeasure over the rule change and intend to haul the company in to explain why it is targeting customers paying the lowest fares with extra costs.
“Let’s just say I’m not very happy today with what I’ve heard from Air Canada. I think they need to take a look at the persons that they are targeting with these excess fees. It is not acceptable,” Transport Minister Anita Anand told CTV. Describing her “disappointment,” Anand added: “This is not acceptable at a time when Canadians’ pocketbooks are hurting and when they’ve been saving for their travels.”
Meanwhile, Air Canada has defended the decision to charge for carry-ons, saying the move was “simply a competitive response to what is already the prevalent practice in the industry.” It added that “Air Canada offers customers a wide range of fares with various attributes, including allowances for carry-on baggage should customers wish to have this option.”
