As the price of fuel skyrockets, Air Canada is following US carriers in increasing the fee for checked baggage for Economy Basic, Standard and Flex fares.
The carrier's updated policy applies to passengers within Canada, travelling to or from the US (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands), as well as to or from Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America.
In Economy Basic and Standard, the fee for the first bag is now CA/US$45 and CA/US$60 for the second. In Economy Flex, the first checked bag is free and the second is now charged at CA/US$60.
Prior to 13APR, 2026, the standard Economy Basic, Standard checked bag fees on Canada, US and sun routes were $35 for the first bag and $50 for the second. Marking a 28% increase on the first bag and a 20% increase on the second.
The increase follows recent moves by US carriers, including American and Delta, who hiked bag fees in response to the sharply rising cost of fuel. The cost of a first and second checked bag on most Delta routes has risen by $10, with third bags now costing $50 more.
WestJet increased its first checked bag fee by CAD$5 for ultra-basic and economy fares back in September 2025, before the current situation in the Middle East. Marking the third time the airline had changed its baggage policy in two years.
At the time, the move sparked speculation that Air Canada would follow suit, matching WestJet’s increase as it did in March 2024.
