WestJet has implemented a price hike for checked baggage fees starting today, affecting many passengers. Travelers paying at the airport will incur a $10 increase per bag for their first and second pieces of luggage, while those paying in advance will face a $5 fee hike for each bag. The airline specified that these new fees will apply to reservations made from April 23 onwards.
Despite existing discounts for select WestJet Rewards members, this marks the third consecutive year of baggage fee increases by the airline, following a recent hike less than a year ago. WestJet attributes these changes to industry trends and the repercussions of current global conditions.
Passengers on WestJet’s lowest ultra-basic fares traveling within Canada can expect to pay between $60 and $93 for their first bag and $75 to $111 for the second bag, depending on the time and location of payment. Meanwhile, standard econo passengers in Canada may face fees ranging from $45 to $81 for their first bag and $60 to $99 for the second.
For international flights to Asia or Europe, passengers on ultra-basic fares could see baggage fees ranging from $85 to $123 for a single checked item. Notably, fees for excess, overweight, and oversized baggage are experiencing the most significant increases, with overweight bags potentially costing up to $168.
This adjustment in baggage fees by WestJet mirrors a similar move made by Air Canada recently. The latter announced higher baggage fees for economy basic passengers last Monday, with fees for the first and second bags increasing to $45 and $60, respectively.
Both Air Canada and WestJet have also introduced fuel surcharges for specific bookings or vacation packages, responding to the surge in jet fuel prices primarily driven by Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, airlines like Air Transat have been forced to adjust fares and cut routes due to the escalating costs.
Overall, industry experts predict that the combination of increased surcharges and reduced flight options could lead to sustained high travel costs in the near future, making summer travel particularly expensive for passengers.