Traveling is expensive and getting more expensive all the time. This is definitely true for Canadian travelers. The weak Canadian dollar combined with increasing costs and the Canadian tax structure means that even flying across the country can break the bank.
Unfortunately, Canadian residents don't have a lot of options to choose from, especially if they're flying to or from anywhere outside of the Greater Toronto Area or Vancouver. International travel is even more difficult as direct flights are few and far between unless you live in a major center.
Part of the problem is a lack of internal competition for Air Canada, the biggest airline in the nation. WestJet has grown dramatically but it remains neither the size nor the scope of Air Canada. Porter and Flair offer limited but somewhat cheaper options, particularly in the case of Flair.
Air Canada's excessive fee structures
Starting January 3, 2025, Air Canada will be charging basic-economy travelers approximately $35.00 for their first carry on bag and an additional $50.00 for the second. If you don't pay the fees when you book your flight or check in, they'll reportedly charge you another fee, estimated to be around $46.00. Ineligible carry on luggage brought to the gate could cost you an additional fee of $65.00 to check.
If you're keeping score, that means bringing two carry on items may cost you roughly $200.00 in fees. Per traveler. Each way on round-trips. For a family of four on a round trip, that's $1600.00 or more if all the penalty fees are charged. If that's not bad enough, low fare travelers on Air Canada are also getting hit with higher fees for changing their assigned seat starting January 21, 2025.
Smaller items like purses are reputedly exempt from the fees, though Air Canada has seemingly left themselves quite a bit of wiggle room on what is considered to be an acceptable size. This means potentially astronomical costs for flyers with the least money to spare.
No such thing as "low fares" on Air Canada
While Air Canada continues to offer low fare options on their flights, many people who travel using them do it because that's what they can afford. These fees may price them out of using Air Canada's services. They can still travel Flair or WestJet, assuming they have a flight that works for them.
The penalty fees only compound the issue. It is quite easy to be confused about which check in bag needs to be paid for or change what you're carrying on board at the last minute after you've checked in online. Now, you will be heavily penalized for your error.
Canadian lawmakers have taken an interest as some see these moves as detrimental to Canadian taxpayers who already financially subsidize Air Canada. Potential passengers may start voting with their dollars, and taking other airlines even if it complicates their trip.