Air Canada has announced some changes to their Basic and Comfort fare classes beginning on January 3, 2025. Basically, with Basic fares Air Canada has decided to match WestJet’s relatively new Ultra Basic fare class and Porter’s Basic fare class by not allowing carry-on baggage on these fares. This is even stated in Air Canada’s press release:
“These changes align the airline’s fare structure with similar fare offerings by other Canadian carriers and better distinguish its fare brands.”
- Revised Basic fare will require carry-on baggage to be checked for North America and Sun travel, in line with industry standard
- Comfort fare to include second checked bag for travel worldwide
- Seat assignment at check-in for Basic remains complimentary, but changes will incur a fee as of January 21, 2025
As we almost always see in the airline industry, once one carrier makes changes, most will follow suit rather than trying to remain different.
In addition to the carry on rule, those travelling on Basic Fares looking to change seats after receiving their free assigned seat at check in will have to pay a fee to do so. On the good news site, travellers purchasing Comfort fares will see their free checked bag allowance increased.
Basic Fare Baggage
For its lowest-priced, Basic fare for North America and Sun routes, customers selecting this fare class and travelling on tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025, will still be able to bring on board one small personal item, such as a purse or computer bag. But larger items, such as roller-board or duffel bags, or large backpacks, will have to be checked pre-security and standard fees of $35 for a first bag and $50 for a second bag will apply. Customers arriving at the boarding gate with ineligible carry-on items will be required to check this baggage for a $65 fee for each item.
Mobility aids, medical devices, and child strollers are exempt from carry-on charges for all customers. As well, Status members, Star Alliance Gold, and Aeroplan premium credit cardholders will continue to be entitled to one carry-on bag, and their other benefits will also continue to apply.
If you have one of the premium or ultra premium Aeroplan co-brand credit cards that offer the first checked bag free, you can use this benefit to cover the fee for the carry on bag (however if you are checking a bag you’ll have to pay since you will technically be checking in two bags)
Who gets what? The rules for elite members & co-brand credit card holders for these basic fares:
Core Credit Card + No Elite Status
The first checked bag free benefit for core credit card holders (TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, American Express Aeroplan Card) who are not elite status members can apply their benefit to the carry on bag fee on basic fares or to their checked bag but not both
Aeroplan Core Credit Cardholders travelling on a Basic fare may bring one (1) personal article on board. The Aeroplan Credit Card benefits you enjoy today continue to apply. If your card offers a 1st Free Checked Bag benefit, you can use it to check your standard carry-on item in the airport lobby, free of charge.
Core Credit Card + Elite Status
Core credit card holders (TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, American Express Aeroplan Card) who are Aeropaln elite status members will receive a free carry-on item for their status and then can apply their first checked bag free benefit towards their checked bag.
If you’re an Aeroplan Elite Status Member with a core credit card, you will still be able to bring on board one (1) personal article and one (1) standard carry-on bag when travelling on a Basic fare.
Premium Credit Card Holders
Premium Credit Card Holders (American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card,) will get a free carry-on for basic fares and then can apply their first checked bag free benefit towards their checked bag.
All the Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholder benefits you enjoy today continue to apply (for example, 1st Free Checked Bag benefits), and you may also bring one (1) standard carry-on bag and one (1) personal item on board
Recommended reading Everyday Value: Credit cards that help you avoid those dreaded airline fees
Basic Fare Seating
The revised Basic fare will still include complimentary seat assignment at check-in for customers who have not paid a fee to select their seats in advance. However, beginning January 21, 2025, customers travelling on the revised Basic fare who wish to change their seat from the one automatically generated at check-in will be required to pay for that change — with the fee determined by the new seat chosen.
For families or those requiring an assistant, Air Canada remains committed to seating these customers together as per its current policy, which also prioritizes seating travelling companions together. Status and credit card member benefits will also continue to apply.
Comfort Fare Changes
The carrier also announced today it is increasing the checked baggage allowance for customers travelling worldwide on its Comfort economy fare. Under the new structure, Comfort fare customers who purchase their tickets from January 3, 2025, onwards will be entitled to check two complimentary bags, where currently the fare permits only one checked bag.
Wrapping it up
The airline industry is one that is quite typical of follow the leader. Here we have Air Canada following in Porter’s and WestJet’s footsteps with changes to their most basic fares to match their competitors. It hasn’t been all bad news in the game of follow the leader however as Air Canada did introduce free beer/wine and snacks earlier this year to match Porter’s offerings – albeit Air Canada is only offering that until the end of 2024 so we’ll have to wait and see if they extend that benefit.
Click here to learn more about Air Canada’s fare classes and fees
Image via Air Canada