Following news that several U.S. carriers are raising fees for checked bags, WestJet has increased its baggage fees.
WestJet has implementing two separate increases for checked bags, the most recent being an additional $5 for bags booked after 14FEB, passengers purchasing economy fares online will now incur costs ranging from $35 to $42 for the first checked bag and $55 to $65 for the second.
While Air Canada's first checked bag fee remains at $30, industry expert Karl Moore anticipates they may also increase, considering the trend among other airlines.
In correspondence with CBC News, Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick stated that the airline is "aware of these trends" but has not made any recent alterations to its baggage policies.
CBS News reports some industry experts warn that if passengers aren't careful, they may wind up paying far more than anticipated. Airlines commonly justify these adjustments by stating that by unbundling fares, customers pay solely for the additional services they desire.
During an interview with the CBC, Karl Moore, an associate professor at McGill University specializing in the airline industry, highlighted how airlines attract passengers with seemingly low ticket prices but then supplement those with additional fees. He notes, "Passengers might get caught with another $100 in fees they weren't expecting, which means profits for the airlines."
WestJet's spokesperson, Julia Brunet, told CBC that baggage fees help the airline maintain lower base fares for all passengers. The recent $5 increase in fees, can be avoided by using a WestJet RBC Mastercard or purchasing a more expensive, flexible fare.
In the U.S., several airlines, including United, American and JetBlue, have raised their baggage fees, citing reasons such as navigating rising operating costs.
