12/11/2024
AC Basic fare changes are taking effect Jan 03 2025 onwards
If you book a Basic fare on Air Canada for flights within Canada, to the US or Southern destinations such as the Caribbean or Mexico, only a personal item such as a purse or camera bag will be free of charge. You will have to pay for and check in carry-ons as well as checked bags.
Fares such as Standard, which include a carry-on and Flex, which include a carry-on and a checked bag, are not affected by these changes and can be a better value even though the base fare will be higher.
Airlines worldwide have struggled with more passengers who want to avoid checked bag fees by bringing more carry ons. This slows down boarding and can delay takeoff.
Other airlines such as WestJet also have made the same changes to their Basic fares recently as well as other North American airlines.