WestJet Hikes Baggage Fees — And Air Canada Already Did the Same
Canadian air travellers are facing yet another hit to their wallets. WestJet has announced an increase to its checked baggage fees, following a nearly identical move by Air Canada made just weeks earlier. For anyone planning a summer trip — or booking a quick flight home — the costs are quietly creeping up.
The fee hike continues a pattern that's become frustratingly familiar to Canadian flyers: one major carrier raises prices, and the other follows shortly after. Critics have long argued that the near-duopoly between Air Canada and WestJet leaves passengers with little leverage when either airline decides to squeeze a little more out of the boarding process.
What the Increase Actually Means for Your Trip
While the exact dollar amounts vary by route and fare class, the increases apply to standard checked baggage on most domestic and international flights. Travellers who previously packed light to avoid fees may now find even that calculus shifting — and those who regularly check bags could see their travel budget take a noticeable hit over the course of a year.
Budget-conscious travellers are already used to navigating a maze of add-on fees for seat selection, carry-on bags, and priority boarding. The checked baggage hike adds another line item to an increasingly complicated cost-of-flying picture in Canada.
Is Canada's Aviation Market Working?
The timing of WestJet's increase — coming so close on the heels of Air Canada's — has renewed debate about competition in Canadian aviation. Canada consistently ranks among the most expensive countries in the world for domestic air travel, and consumer advocates have pointed to the lack of meaningful low-cost competition as a structural problem.
Ultra-low-cost carriers like Flair Airlines have struggled to maintain operations, and attempts to break into the Canadian market have faced serious headwinds. With WestJet and Air Canada effectively setting the market rate together, travellers have little room to shop around.
For Ottawa residents flying in and out of the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, the fee increases apply to both carriers that serve most major Canadian routes. Whether you're heading to Vancouver for a conference or catching a flight to Toronto for the weekend, those extra bag fees will show up at check-in regardless of which airline you choose.
What Can Travellers Do?
A few strategies can help soften the blow:
- Pack carry-on only whenever possible — most fare classes still allow one personal item free
- Book the right fare tier — some mid-range fares bundle a checked bag, making the total price competitive
- Check co-branded credit card perks — several Canadian credit cards offer free checked bags on specific airlines as a benefit
- Compare total costs, not just base fares, when booking — the cheapest ticket rarely stays cheapest once fees are added
For now, Canadian travellers are stuck playing by the rules that two dominant carriers have set. Whether regulators or new market entrants eventually change that equation remains to be seen.
Source: CBC News
