WestJet has implemented a price hike for baggage fees for many passengers starting today. Passengers paying at the airport will now face a $10 increase per bag for the first and second bags. Those paying in advance will see a $5 fee hike per bag for the first and second pieces of luggage. The airline stated that the new fees will apply to reservations made from April 23 onwards.
Despite ongoing discounts for specific WestJet Rewards members, this marks the third increase in baggage fees in three years for the airline, coming shortly after the last adjustment. The airline cited industry trends and the impact of current global conditions as reasons for the fee changes.
Passengers on the airline’s ultra-basic fares in Canada can expect to pay between $60 and $93 for the first bag and $75 to $111 for the second bag. Standard econo passengers within Canada may face fees ranging from $45 to $81 for the first bag and $60 to $99 for the second.
For passengers traveling to Asia or Europe on ultra-basic fares, baggage fees could range from $85 to $123 for a single checked bag. Fees for excess, overweight, and oversized baggage are also increasing, with overweight bags potentially costing up to $168.
This fee adjustment by WestJet follows a similar move by Air Canada, which recently raised baggage fees for economy basic passengers. Air Canada introduced fuel surcharges for certain bookings, as did WestJet, while Air Transat also announced fare adjustments due to fuel costs. Both Air Canada and WestJet are responding to increased fuel prices with capacity cuts.
The surge in jet fuel prices in recent weeks, attributed to Iran’s actions in blocking the Strait of Hormuz, has led airlines worldwide to adjust their operations. As a result, air travel experts anticipate that the combination of higher surcharges and reduced flight options could keep travel costs elevated for the foreseeable future.