WestJet Airlines has begun charging travellers a fee for the first piece of checked luggage on economy fares within Canada and to the U.S.
The Calgary-based carrier already charges customers for a second piece of checked luggage. The new fee will range between $25 and $29.50, depending on provincial taxes.
The change will apply to Econo fares only and will apply to all new bookings on WestJet and its regional airline Encore, for travel on or after Oct. 29.
The airline says the change will benefit fliers because it will allow them to purchase only the services they want.
"This user-pay type of system allows us to keep fares as low as possible, introduce lower sale fares and avoid fare increases, which benefits you and liberates even more Canadians from the high cost of air travel," WestJet executive vice-president Bob Cummings said in a statement Monday.
Passengers flying overseas will still be able to check the first piece of luggage for free. There will also still be baggage allowances for military personnel, and those with infant and child equipment, or mobility devices. Those making connections to other airlines are also not affected.
WestJet will become the second major Canadian airline to charge such a fee, after Porter Airlines began charging for checked bags in May.
Air Canada is the only major carrier not to charge for the first piece of luggage, though that might not last long.
"We are always monitoring industry developments such as this with great interest. We will evaluate it going forward," Isabelle Arthur, a spokeswoman for the Montreal-based carrier, told Â鶹´«Ã½ in an email.
the new fee will only apply to about one in five customers because of allowances to those paying other fares and new loyalty programs that just launched. Under the new programs, passengers in the Teal, Silver and Gold tiers will not have to pay for the first piece of checked luggage.
Passengers flying overseas will still be able to check the first piece of luggage for free.
Canadians on social media were quick to express their outrage.
anything else you want to do to sell out? You use to be different - which is what made you great. Now, meh....
— Dean Kurpjuweit (@deankurpjuweit)
And I expect that I will travel less. Or on another airline.
— Chad Saunders (@chadmsaunders)
what are you thinking? No more TV's now charging for checked bags, when flying for business or personal use anything but WestJet
— Jason Haycock (@MightyGriz)
"we achieved record net earnings of $268.7 million, a 10.9 per cent increase over 2012" - do you really need my family's $100!
— ML (@mollyrules)
With files from The Canadian Press
