Westjet Hike checked the bag fee for the second time in 2 years. Will Air Canada be ahead?
Westjet has quietly raised its first checked bag fee for the ultra-basic and economy fare by $ 5. This is the second price hike of the airline for a bag checked in less than two years and, if history repeats itself, the Air Canada will soon follow the suit.
For Westjet tickets purchased on or after 16 September, prepaid first checked bag fees now starts at $ 40 for the economy passengers. Those who wait for a check-in to pay will be charged at least $ 60.
Westjet’s cheapest fare, Ultra-Basic flying passengers, at least $ 50 will come out to prepap for checked bags for most destinations.
The airline says that Westjet rewards members can bypass the fee increase if they prepap for the bag, and the passengers paying for their flights with Westjet RBC MasterCard can bypass the entire fee.
Westjet told the CBC in an email that it charged the fee “to align with industry pricing and revenue trends”.
Air Canada’s first checked bag fee still starts at $ 35, but it can change.
In February 2024, Westjet introduced Last $ 5 price hike for checked goods. Air Canada did the same After less than a month after,
Asked if the airline plans to re -follow the Westjet, Air Canada provided a vague response: “Our policy is to closely monitor the industry to stay competitive in every market,” said Peter Fitzpatric in an email.
Many new fees
Westjet’s bag fee increase follows many new allegations initiated by Canadian Airlines, some consumer advocates that the customers may not be able to compare the shop properly, and pay much more rent than anticipated.
“It is not compatible with the consumer. It seems that it is wild vest.”
Statistics according to CanadaThe airfare fell 7.6 percent in August compared to a year ago.
Airlines say that they are in the “ambillary” rental, so customers will only have to pay for additional services they want. But gradek argues that airlines advertise low fare to hook customers, which do not realize – until they get the final bill – the correct cost of their journey.
He said, “Airlines are basically hiring this cheap aircraft,” he said that a family of four can pay hundreds of dollars in additional fees.
A fee to rebuild your seat?
In 2024, Discount Career Flair Airlines Credit cards offered a fee for passengers paying by credit card And Westjet entered one Fee for customers Those who book their flights on the phone. Last year too, Westjet And air Canada Stop offering free carry-on bags for passengers who buy its lowest basic fare.
Westjet then Last month made headlines After revealing that the economy section was re -adding some of its aircraft to add “fixed reclin” seats in the section that does not move forward. Passengers who want to recur perfectly, will have to pay for upgrade.
Westjet spokesperson Josh Yets said many customers told the airline in response that they wanted a “fixed recline” seat to protect the individual space.
Westjet is re -connecting the layouts to many of its aircraft, removing the option for many economy passengers to rebuild its seats. Instead, the airline will currently add a premium cabin section to some economy-cavalry aircraft, which will allow some seats to be rebuilt.
Airlines, Those usually work on a razor-thin marginRevenue sources are dependent on additional fees. In 2024, the total fees earned by 61 major airlines worldwide surrounded a new record, the total fees earned by 61 major airlines, ahead of a new record, IdeaaworkscompanyAn American research company that tracks airline revenue.
Gradek says that Canadian people should brace for more airline fees.
“The difference between the base fare and what you really pay is going to grow up,” he said. “Consumers are going to be more confused.”
To help people assess the correct cost of air fare when shopping online, gradek says that the carrier must display the total value with the most popular fee, such as the goods fee.
Currently, the airlines will have to provide a breakdown of fees for alternative services on their websites, but the fee does not have to be seen as advertising ticket prices on the same page.
Transport Canada told CBC News in an email that it is actively attached to the carrier to “ensure maximum transparency of fees”.
Both Westjet and Air Canada said that they are transparent about all fees and air fare with their customers.
Air Canadian spokesperson Fitzpatrick said in an email, “We are very clear in each stage how much these additional alternative services cost, so people can deliberately choose to pay for them, and at what cost, at what cost,” said the spokesman of Air Canada fitzpatric in an email.
What about more competition?
Consumer advocate Geoff White says another way to help passengers struggling with rising fees is to start more competition in the airline industry, which can help reduce overall fare.
Air Canada and Westjet typically adopt each other fees, and because they are major carriers in Canada, passengers have limited options, White said.
“Consumers have no choice but to smile and tolerate, and this is unfortunate,” he said. “It is a lack of competition which is the main obstacle for better customer service and better pricing in Canada.”
A competition bureau study released in June The airline industry was called for changes to improve competition, including loosening the rules that limit the foreign ownership of Canadian airlines.
Innovation, science and economic development Canada told CBC News that the government is reviewing the recommendations of the Bureau.
National Airlines Council of Canada, a lobby group that represents both Air Canada and Westjet, Told CBC News This does not believe that foreign investment or increase in competition will address concerns around reducing the cost of travel.
Westjet has argued The root cause of high air fares is not airline fee, but the government and the third-party fee passengers will have to pay, such as the improvement fee and fuel in the airport.
