Westjet quietly went off the deep end with the first $5 bag checked for ultra-bar and economy fares. This is the airline's second price increase for checked bags in less than two years, and if history repeats itself, Air Canada will soon follow suit.
For Westjet tickets purchased on or after September 16, prepaid prosecutor bag fees now start at $40 for economy passengers. Those who wait until check-in will be charged a minimum of $60.
Passengers flying on Westjet's cheapest meal, Ultra-Basic, shell out at least $50 to pre-pay for security to fly to most destinations.
The airline says Westjet Rewards members can bypass the increased fee if they pre-designate bags, and passengers who pay for their flights with a Westjet RBC Mastercard can bypass the entire fee.
Westjet told CBC in an email that it increased the fee “in line with industry pricing and revenue trends.”
The first Air Canada bag reviewed still starts at $35, but that could change.
In February 2024, Westhet introduced Previous price increase of $5 for checked luggage. Air Canada did the same In less than a monthField
Asked whether the airline planned to follow Westjet's lead again, Air Canada provided a vague answer: “Our policy is to closely monitor the industry to remain competitive in every market we serve,” said spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick.
Several new charges
Westjet's bag fee hike follows several new fees introduced by Canadian Airlines, prompting concerns from some consumer advocates that customers may not be able to properly compare shop and could end up paying much higher fares than anticipated.
“This is not convenient for consumers. It looks like it's the wild west,” said John Grueck, a lecturer in aviation supply networks and management at Montreal's McGill University.
According to Statistics Canadaairfares fell 7.6% in August compared with a year ago.
Airlines say they are “no fit” so customers should only pay for the extras they want. But Grueck argues that airlines advertise low fares to hook customers who don't realize – until they receive the final bill – the true cost of their trip.
“The airlines are basically bringing you this cheap airfare,” he said, adding that a family of four could end up paying hundreds of dollars extra in surcharges.
Fee for reclining a seat?
Flair Airlines discounts coming in 2024 introduced a fee for passengers paid by credit card and Westjet opened customer fee who book their flights by phone. Also last year, Westjet And Air Canada Stopped offering free carry-on bags to passengers who purchase their lowest base fare.
Westhet then Made headlines last month After he discovered that he reconfigured some of his planes to add “fixed recliner” seats in the economy section that don't move. Passengers who want a full recline will have to pay for an upgrade.
Westjet spokesman Josh Yates said many customers had told the airline in feedback that they wanted a “fixed recline” seat to “preserve privacy.”
Westjet is reconfiguring the layout on many of its planes, removing the option for many economy passengers to recline their seats. Instead, the airline will add a premium cabin section to some currently economy planes, allowing some seats to recline.
Airlines, which usually works on edges with thin razorsare increasingly relying on surcharges as a source of income. In 2024, the total collections received by 61 major airlines worldwide exceeded US$148 billion, a new record, a new record. According to IdeaWorkscompanyAn American research company that tracks airline revenue.
Grueck says Canadians should prepare for more airline fees.
“The gap between the base rate and what you actually pay is going to get bigger,” he said. “Consumers will be more confused.”
To help people assess the true cost of airfare when purchasing online, Gradek says carriers should show the total price with the most popular fees, such as baggage fees.
Airlines are now required to provide a breakdown of fees for ancillary services on their websites, but the fees must not appear on the same page as advertised ticket prices.
Transport Canada told CBC News in an email that it is “actively engaging with carriers to ensure maximum transparency about fees.”
Both Westjet and Air Canada said they are transparent with their customers about all fees and airfare.
“At every stage, we are very clear about how much these optional extras cost, so people can make an informed choice to pay for them or not, and at what price,” Air Canada spokesperson Fitzpatrick said in an email.
What about more competition?
Consumer advocate Jeff White says another way to help passengers struggling with rising fees is to introduce more competition into the airline industry, which could help bring down overall fares.
Air Canada and Westjet typically accept each other's contributions, and because they are the dominant carriers in Canada, passengers have limited options, White said.
“Consumers have no choice but to smile and bear it, and that's unfortunate,” he said. “It is the lack of competition that is the main barrier to better customer service and better prices in Canada.”
Competition bureau study published in June There have been calls for changes to improve competition in the airline industry, including loosening rules limiting foreign ownership of Canadian airlines.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada told CBC News the government is reviewing the bureau's recommendations.
National Airline Council of Canada, a lobbying group representing both Air Canada and Westjet, told CBC News What he doesn't see as increased foreign investment or competition will be to address concerns about lower travel costs.
Westhet claimed that the main reason for high airfare is not airline fees, but government and third party fees passengers have to pay, such as airport improvement fees and fuel taxes.
