Wow I am little surprised by this move, I understand the need nowadays for ancillary revenue but one thing that has kept me and I am sure others on Air Canada and WestJet was the lack of baggage fees. Now Air Canada says they are matching U.S. and International Carriers with a second bag fee on flights to the U.S., Europe and Israel. Most U.S. airlines have first and second bag fees for U.S./Canada travel and along with most European carriers a second bag fee for transatlantic flights but this is were Air Canada had a chance to stay ahead of the game and not be a follower. Chances are WestJet will not add a second bag fee and will feed off this in their marketing campaigns as they did nearly two years ago when Air Canada added baggage fees for a short time period. Luckily when I travel alone I don’t usually have checked luggage and with my family we keep to one bag a piece, so at this time we should be OK when we fly Air Canada, I’m sure though many travelers will be caught off guard at the airport on their trips to the U.S. or Europe.
The fees for second checked bags are
– For flights to/from the United States (including Hawaii, excluding Puerto Rico): CAD/USD $30.
– For flights to/from Europe and Israel: CAD/USD $50.
The only good thing is that Air Canada flights within Canada, to Sun Destinations outside the U.S., Asia and Australia will remain with no baggage fees. As well the fee for a second checked bag to/from the United States, Europe and Israel will not apply to Air Canada Prestige, Elite, Super Elite members or Star Alliance Silver and Gold members.
Source: Air Canada Press Release