Air Canada Bans Larger Carry-On Bags for Basic Economy, Adds Seat Selection Fee

Air Canada is mandating that its Basic economy passengers check their larger bags — and will charge a fee for doing so.

As of next year, passengers who bought the cheapest Air Canada fare must check their larger bags. The price to check a bag will vary.

At the same time, the airline is introducing a new seat-selection fee for Basic economy. In a positive change, it’s also increasing the checked baggage allowance for passengers who bought a Comfort fare.

Let’s look at what is changing and when.

Air Canada Follows WestJet’s Lead With Basic Economy

Passengers on Air Canada who buy a Basic economy fare from January 3, 2025, will have to check wheeled bags, duffel bags, rolling suitcases, and large backpacks. They will also have to pay a fee of CA$35 (!$24.90) for the first bag and CA$50 (~$35.50) for the second.

Customers arriving at the gate with ineligible carry-on items will be required to check them for a CA$65 fee (~$46.20) for each item, Air Canada said in a statement.

The changes apply to flights in North America and to places Air Canada calls Sun destinations, which are in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Southern U.S. It should be noted that mobility aids, medical devices, and child strollers are exempt from carry-on charges. Basic economy passengers will still be able to bring a small personal bag on board for free.

According to Air Canada, “These changes align the airline’s fare structure with similar fare offerings by other Canadian carriers and better distinguish its fare brands.”

Air Canada is indeed following in the footsteps of its smaller Canadian rival, WestJet, which introduced an “UltraBasic” fare back in June with similar restrictions.

Those moves follow a trend from legacy carriers toward behaving more like ultra-low-cost airlines, where a basic fare buys just a seat. Anything else costs extra. In fact, the introduction of those so-called “unbundled” fares by mainstream airlines has taken away part of the cost advantage that airlines like Spirit have enjoyed — and it’s playing a part in the current financial woes of ultra-low-cost carriers.

In another change for Air Canada, from January 21, 2025, passengers with a Basic fare will have to pay a fee to change their seat from the one automatically generated at check-in. The fee will be determined by the new seat chosen.

Good News for Passengers Buying Comfort Fares

Not all of Air Canada’s new policies are more restrictive, though.

The airline also announced that it’s increasing the checked baggage allowance for customers on Comfort economy fares worldwide. Those who purchase their tickets from January 3, 2025, onwards will be entitled to check 2 complimentary bags instead of 1.

Comfort fares do not cover a separate class of service, unlike Premium economy fares. They are a coach fare with more perks than a standard one.

Final Thoughts

Air Canada is going to mandate that passengers who buy a Basic economy fare check their larger bags and will charge fees for it — with an even higher fee if the bag had to be checked at the gate.

Passengers who buy more expensive Comfort fares will instead be able to check 1 extra bag for free with the new changes.

The change for Basic economy passengers may anger some people, but it’s part of a trend that all airlines are following.