WestJet to charge some travellers for first checked bag

[Otto-matic]

WestJet Airlines Ltd. has joined rival Porter Airlines Inc. in charging travellers a fee for their first checked bag.
And Air Canada is likely to soon announce a similar fee, says one analyst.
The Calgary-based carrier said on Monday it will charge a $25 fee one-way for a first checked bag on Econo fares for travel within Canada and between Canada and the United States.

The fee will apply to flights starting Oct. 29 that were booked as of Monday.
Airlines have been mulling or instituting checked-bag fees as they face rising fuel costs and the drop in value of the Canadian dollar.
Air Canada has so far not set up a first-checked-bag fee on domestic flights but charges $25 for first checked bags on economy flights to the U.S.
The practice is commonplace on U.S. airlines.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle20598212/


Seems like twittersphere is blowing up.

[Ducay]

I hate when airlines do this, not because the $25 impacts me much, but rather because it makes the cabin environment even worse. People are more inclined to bring bigger and more carry-on items, and makes the cattle car section feel even more cramped.

[bubbsy]

as a canadian consumer, it's hard to understand who's ripping me off more, the Canadian Airlines or the Canadian Telco service providers.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by Ducay

I hate when airlines do this, not because the $25 impacts me much, but rather because it makes the cabin environment even worse. People are more inclined to bring bigger and more carry-on items, and makes the cattle car section feel even more cramped.

Exactly. Particularly when traveling with a family you can sometimes cut back on the number of suitcases by maximizing carry-on (whereas without this charge I'd be inclined to do the opposite and check anything I don't absolutely need for the flight). When I fly airlines that do this they seem to spend most of the pre-boarding period begging people to check more luggage because there is a shortage of space in the cabin.

[troutman]

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by Ducay

I hate when airlines do this, not because the $25 impacts me much, but rather because it makes the cabin environment even worse. People are more inclined to bring bigger and more carry-on items, and makes the cattle car section feel even more cramped.

Ah great point, I didn't even think about that.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle20598212/


Seems like twittersphere is blowing up.

I am pretty sure Air Canada Allready charges for this. At least i we were charged last month for it.

[Reaper]

It won't be long before airlines start billing like utility companies.

Wing fee: $86
Engine fee: $118
Seat cushion refurbishment fee: $14
Cabin pressure fee: $152
Non-smoking environment fee: $78
Window fee: $43
...

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Reaper

It won't be long before airlines start billing like utility companies.

Wing fee: $86
Engine fee: $118
Seat cushion refurbishment fee: $14
Cabin pressure fee: $152
Non-smoking environment fee: $78
Window fee: $43
...

Well I'd definitely be paying the wing and engine fee. I may skimp on the landing gear fee though. Oh and I'll bring my own oxygen on board too.

[Reaper]

Landing gear waiver fee: $263
Passenger oxygen verification fee: $312

[Tron_fdc]

Further to the bag fees causing clutter in the cabin; one thing I've noticed is that with every person trying to carry something on it takes longer to get through security, and WAY longer to board the aircraft.

It's crazy annoying watching people fight for bin space, although I can't blame the passenger. It's the airline who created the problem in the first place.

[Slava]

Of course the other issue is that nothing is "safe" enough to bring on anymore, so you are nearly forced to check a bag. I love that they are calling this $25, because reasonably almost everyone is travelling round-trip, its $50. Airline travel is just plain terrible.

[Regular_John]

I posted this in the aviation thread, but I really don't buy the "1 in 5" argument from WestJet on this one. I've never booked anything other than coach/economy, and one of the things I loved about WestJet was knowing the level of service I was getting was going to remain the same regardless of what I paid.

Let's face it, WestJet really made their mark in the industry by doing away with a lot of the industry doublespeak around "first/business/economy" amenities. They basically sold you a seat on a plane and little else, it was great.

Maybe business travellers are different, but I don't think the average Canadian booking a trip home or a vacation is typically ponying up a few extra $100's for "flex" or "plus" seating. The "1 in 5" travellers thing just doesn't hold a lot of water.

Looking forward to competing for space in the over head bins when it's -40 and everyone's got 10 pounds of coats/hats with them as well.

[DoubleK]

This is very disappointing news.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Slava

Of course the other issue is that nothing is "safe" enough to bring on anymore, so you are nearly forced to check a bag. I love that they are calling this $25, because reasonably almost everyone is travelling round-trip, its $50. Airline travel is just plain plane terrible.

come on that pun is just begging for it....

[Tyler]

WestJet Elite MasterCard holder - free first checked bag! Woop woop

[Nufy]

So people will try to carry on..and when all the overhead bins are full they will check them for free...just pick up your bags as soon as you de-plane...

I have seen this so many times when travelling in the US. make no sense at all.

[Johnny199r]

The first issue I have today with on board bags is the 1+1 rule. I don't think people should be able to bring a travel bag plus a "personal bag" ie - giant purse on the flight. Everyone should only get to bring one bag. This should actually be enforced. We know that the current rules, as generous as they are, aren't currently being enforced.

Who here on CP currently brings bigger bags on a plane than they are supposed to?

I've only ever brought a normal sized back pack on a plane. It sure isn't me who is contributing to this problem.

[pseudoreality]

There should be a $25 fee for each carry on bag.

[Ducay]

Realistically, it will hit a point where they will need to start enforcing the size limits on the carry-on. As it stands, I doubt 50% of the carry on bags would fit into that metal thing that never gets used to measure them.