Air Canada tightens luggage limit

Extra charge for heavier bags
Says move will offset fuel costs

DANA FLAVELLE
BUSINESS REPORTER

Air Canada is cutting the amount of free baggage passengers can check in by about one quarter in a bid to lighten loads as airline fuel costs continue to soar.

Passengers will be permitted to check in two bags, each one weighing a total of 23 kilograms, or 50 pounds, the airline announced yesterday. That’s down from 32 kilograms each, or 70 pounds previously.

The new policy comes into effect for travel booked on or after Aug. 29 and commenced on Oct. 12 or later, the airline said.

The new rules don’t affect carry-on bags, which are already limited in size and number, the airline said.

For checked-in luggage that exceeds the new limit, Air Canada passengers will pay at least $35 on flights within North America and $60 on flights elsewhere in the world. Passengers who check a third bag will be charged three to five times that rate, depending on the size and weight of the bag, according to the airline’s website.

The move follows similar steps taken by competitors, particularly in the United States, and is one of several the airline is adopting in a bid to keep tickets prices in line, said spokeswoman Laura Cooke. The airline raised its ticket prices this month after reporting that airline fuel costs had jumped 42 per cent, or $156 million, between the first and second quarter of this year.

“We’re seeing record high fuel prices, with no relief in sight,” said Cooke. “Our commitment to the customer is to keep fares as low as possible. The changes we’ve made are very much in line with what our U.S. competitors have done in recent months.”

Both Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines recently lowered their baggage limits.

Air Canada’s new baggage limits are still slightly more generous than the international average of 23 kilograms, or 44 pounds, for economy class travel, according to Frequent Flyer magazine, though actual rates vary widely between airlines.

Air Canada’s two main domestic competitors, WestJet and CanJet, both still permit passengers to check in up to 32 kilograms, or 70 pounds, of luggage, though WestJet has said it is reviewing that policy.

Air Canada has also increased the fees for a number of specialty services, including:

The fee for supervising unaccompanied children between the ages of 5 and 11 years jumps to $60 each way from $40.

Cyclists headed for Europe and other overseas destinations will pay $65 to check in their bikes, just as cyclists travelling within North America already do.

Cooke was unable to say how many passengers were expected to pay more under the new baggage limits, though it’s not expected to affect business and short-distance travellers, who tend to pack light and carry on their bags.