Effective January 3, 2025, Air Canada passengers who purchase basic fares will have to pay for and check-in carry-on bags for flights to domestic, U.S. and sun destinations.
“These changes align the airline's fare structure with similar fare offerings by other Canadian carriers and better distinguish its fare brands,” the airline said in a press release.
For its lowest-priced fares on North America and Sun routes (including flights to and from the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Central America and Hawaii), customers will still be able to bring a small personal item on board, such as a purse or computer bag.
Air Canada is changing its basic fare policies. (Photo Credit: Air Canada)
Larger items, including roller-bags, duffel bags or large backpacks, will have to be checked pre-security. Fees of $35 for a first bag and $50 for a second bag will apply. Customers arriving at the boarding gate with ineligible carry-on items will be required to check this baggage for a $65 fee for each item. Mobility aids, medical devices, and child strollers are exempt from carry-on charges for all customers.
Status members, Star Alliance Gold, and Aeroplan premium credit cardholders will continue to be entitled to one carry-on bag.
Air Canada’s revised Basic fares will still include complimentary seat assignment at check-in for customers who have not paid a fee to select seats in advance. However, beginning January 21, Basic fare customers who wish to change their seat from the one automatically generated at check-in will be required to pay for that change — with the fee determined by the location of the new seat chosen.
While the changes are sure to anger some travellers, anyone who has travelled in the past couple of years knows that excess carry-on baggage is a problem causing headaches for staff and passengers alike. Gate agents are frequently forced to harangue travellers to check roller bags, as there simply isn’t enough overhead bin space on the planes.
The changes will not impact Air Canada Vacations customers, as its package customers are not booked on Basic fares.
Concurrently with these changes, Air Canada is enhancing its Comfort fare category by increasing the number of free checked bags on international flights from one to two, effective for passengers who purchase tickets from January 3 onwards.
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