Air Canada passengers living with extra baggage fees

Some Air Canada passengers at Montreal’s Trudeau Airport were annoyed that they will now have to pay additional fees for their carry-on luggage.

Passengers who purchased basic economy fares and are travelling within North America, Central America and the Caribbean will have to pay $35 for their carry-on luggage and $50 the second one.

Smaller items like purses and backpacks will still be free.

“These changes...are made to adjust our offer to competition and make it more consistent with the Canadian market standard,” Air Canada told CTV News.

The head of McGill University’s aviation management program, John Gradek, says the price increase is another burden for travellers.

“They're really affecting the people who have the least amount of money available to them,” he said.

Starting on Jan. 21, those passengers will also have to pay an extra fee at check-in if they want to change their seat.

Gradek says some other airlines like Flair and WestJet already do the same thing.

“Air Canada is just rubber stamping with these guys have done and they're saying, ‘Well, we're being consistent because we're being we're matching the competition.’”

He added that the federal ministry of transportation can step in and regulate these fees, or it can get rid of them all together.

Canada Transport and Internal Trade Ministry spokesperson Laurent de Casanove said the ministry was unhappy with Air Canada’s decision.

“Canadians deserve good service, not extra fees,” said Casanove. “This decision is very disappointing. It will have a greater impact on seniors, students, and those on a fixed income who work hard and save up to travel. With Budget 2023, our government is taking action to address hidden fees and provide transparency for Canadians when they book travel.”

Casanove added that the government is working with the Canadian Transportation Agency to make new rules so fees are more transparent.

“Canadians, including Quebecers, must be able to see the true cost of a plane ticket—including baggage fees—at the time of booking,” he said.

Gradek says passengers should always know the total price of their travels beforehand.

“[It’s] really something that the airline has a lot of discretion at and that's not something we should have in Canada,” said Gradek.