New Air Canada Fare Rules – Basic fares become worse, and Comfort fare slightly better

Air Canada has revised its Basic and Comfort economy fare structures, making Basic fares more restrictive. Customers purchasing Basic fares will not be allowed a carry-on bag (other than a personal item) and will no longer be able to select their seats during check-in. Whereas Comfort Economy fares will now allow two complimentary checked bags instead of one.

Air Canada confirms that these updates take effect for tickets purchased from January 3, 2025, and are intended to align Air Canada’s fare offerings with similar products from other Canadian carriers. Here are the details of the said changes;

Air Canada Basic Fare Updates

Current Basic Fare rules allow customers to bring 1 standard carry-on bag + 1 personal article (such as a purse or computer bag), regardless of the destination. This policy will now change to the following;

• Carry-on Baggage: Customers purchasing Basic fare tickets for travel within North America and to Sun destinations will now have to pay for their carry-on item;
  • Permitted Carry-On Items: Passengers can continue to bring one small personal item (e.g., purse or laptop bag) onboard.
  • Restrictions on Larger Items: Larger items such as roller-board suitcases, duffel bags, or large backpacks must be checked before security. Standard baggage fees will apply:
    • $35 for the first checked bag.
    • $50 for the second checked bag.
  • Gate-Checked Items: Passengers arriving at the boarding gate with oversized or ineligible carry-on baggage will be required to check these items at a higher fee of $65 per item.
  • Exemptions: Mobility aids, medical devices, and child strollers remain exempt from carry-on baggage charges. Additionally, Aeroplan premium credit cardholders, Status members, and Star Alliance Gold members will continue to be entitled to one carry-on bag without charge and continue to receive their other benefits.

• Seat Assignment Policy—Basic fare passengers who do not pre-select their seats can still receive complimentary seat assignments at check-in.
  • Seat Change Fees: Starting January 21, 2025, passengers travelling on Basic fares will incur a fee if they change their automatically assigned seat. The fee will vary depending on the new seat selected.
  • Air Canada’s policy to seat families and passengers requiring an assistant together will remain unchanged. The airline will continue prioritizing seating companions travelling together.

Air Canada Comfort Fare Updates

Previously, the Comfort fare allowed only one checked bag. Now, customers travelling worldwide on Air Canada’s Comfort economy fare will see an increased checked baggage allowance. Effective for tickets purchased from January 3, 2025, Comfort fare passengers will be entitled to check two complimentary bags.

Takeaway

Unfortunately, Air Canada has chosen the WestJet path for basic fares—another reason not to fly basic fares with any airline. Air travel for budget-conscious travellers has just got worse, and there is no turning back from this one. Cue for comments on how travel used to be better…