Air Canada and WestJet Raise Bag Fees

A day after JetBlue announced it will hike the price of checked bags, Air Canada and WestJet revealed similar plans.

Air Canada and WestJet said Monday that they will raise the fee for the first checked bag to CAD $30, from CAD $25.

The airlines, the two largest in Canada, will also raise the price of the second checked bag to CAD $50, up from CAD $30.

The new baggage fees apply to travelers flying on the lowest fare types. Higher fare classes, including Air Canada’s economy flex and economy comfort fares and WestJet’s Plus passengers, and gold and silver rewards members, will continue to get the first checked bag for free.

“This is the first change since 2014 and will help offset overall increasing costs and keep overall ticket prices competitive,” Air Canada spokeswoman Isabelle Arthur told Global News.

The increase will impact domestic WestJet flight bookings made on or after Aug. 24 for travel on or after Oct. 1. For international destinations, the higher fees will apply to bookings made on or after Tuesday, Aug. 28, for travel Oct. 1 and beyond.

Air Canada's new fees apply to tickets purchased on or after Aug. 21 for travel starting Oct. 5.

JetBlue became the first major American airline to up the price to $30. Other major American carriers, including American, Delta, and United, charge $25 for the first checked bag. Southwest still allows for two free checked bags.

Up until 2014, most airlines allowed passengers to check bags for free.