Upcoming Changes to Air Canada’s Basic and Comfort Fares

Air Canada will ring in the new year with some changes to its Economy (Basic) and Economy (Comfort) fares.

Beginning January 3, 2025, carry-on bags will no longer be included for customers flying on an Economy (Basic) fare to many destinations, while those flying Economy (Comfort) will be afforded an extra checked bag.

Additionally, complimentary seat selection at check-in will no longer be included on Economy (Basic) fares for travel as of January 21, 2025.

Upcoming Changes to Air Canada’s Basic and Comfort Fares

Eight months after Air Canada put the brakes on proposed changes to certain fares and seat selection, the airline has announced a revised set of changes are coming in the new year.

Beginning January 3, 2025, Air Canada says it’s revising some of the terms of its Economy (Basic) and Economy (Comfort) fares.

The new terms apply to fares purchased on or after January 3, 2025. If you’re travelling on an Economy (Basic) or Economy (Comfort) fare before then, you’ll continue to enjoy the current fare rules.

So what exactly does that mean for passengers? Well, as of January 3, 2025, there will be no more complimentary carry-on bags if you’re flying on an Air Canada Economy (Basic) fare within Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Instead, passengers will have to pay $35 (CAD) checked baggage fee for the first bag and an additional $50 (CAD) for a second bag.

This is a departure from the current state of affairs, which allows passengers on an Economy (Basic) fare both a carry-on bag and a personal item, regardless of destination.

Those booking Economy (Basic) fares will still be able to bring one small personal item, such as a purse or computer bag. But larger items, like duffel bags, or large backpacks will have to be checked pre-security.

Keep in mind, if you arrive at the boarding gate with a larger carry-on item that you haven’t paid for in advance, it will cost you even more to check it: $65 (CAD) for each item.

Mobility aids, medical devices, and child strollers are exempt from carry-on charges for all customers.

Plus, if you’re travelling to any other international destination aside from the ones listed above, you’ll still have one carry-on bag and one personal item included with Economy (Basic) fares.

The changes to the Economy (Basic) fare put the airline’s most basic fare structure more in line with similar basic fare offerings by other Canadian carriers like WestJet, Porter Airlines, and Flair Airlines.

Passengers with Aeroplan Elite Status, Star Alliance Gold status, and Aeroplan premium credit cardholders will continue to be entitled to one complimentary carry-on bag, and their other benefits will also continue to apply on Economy (Basic) fares.

While guests booking Economy (Basic) fares may not be pleased with the newly added charge for a carry-on bag, those travelling on Air Canada’s Economy (Comfort) fares will be happy to hear they’ll get an extra bag included with their ticket.

The airline says under the new fare structure announced today, beginning January 3, 2025, Economy (Comfort) fares will include two complimentary checked bags, instead of the current one.

Changes to Seat Selection on Economy (Basic) Fares

In addition to the baggage fee changes announced today, Air Canada says it will implement changes to the seat selection process, something the airline tried to do earlier this year on both Economy (Basic) and Economy (Standard) fares but quickly reversed.

The revised Economy (Basic) fare will include complimentary seat assignment at check-in for customers who haven’t paid to select their seats in advance. But, beginning January 21, 2025, if you want to change the seat automatically assigned to you on an Economy (Basic) fare, you’ll need to pay.

The cost for the seat will vary based on the new seat chosen.

It’s worth noting that the Economy (Basic) seat selection policy changes will apply based on your date of travel and not the date on which you purchased your ticket. Furthermore, no other fares (including Economy (Standard)) will have changes to the seat selection policy.

This means that if you’re travelling on an Economy (Basic) fare to any destination prior to January 21, 2025, you’ll still be able to change your seat for free at check-in; however, as of January 21, 2025, you’ll have to pay to change the seat assigned to you at check-in on an Economy (Basic) fare.

For families or those requiring an assistant, Air Canada says it remains committed to seating those customers together as per its current policy, which also prioritizes seating travelling companions together.

Passengers with Aeroplan Elite Status will continue to enjoy seat selection benefits when travelling on Economy (Basic) fares.

Conclusion

Air Canada is introducing changes to its Economy (Basic) and Economy (Comfort) fares in the new year.

Beginning January 3, 2025, there will be no more complimentary carry-ons for those travelling on an Economy (Basic) fare to certain locations. On the flip side, those travelling on an Economy (Comfort) fare will gain a checked bag.

Changes to the seat selection process are also coming. Beginning January 21, 2025, if you’re travelling on an Economy (Basic) fare to any destination and want to change the seat automatically assigned to you at check-in, you’ll need to pay.

These changes put Air Canada’s Economy (Basic) fare in line with similar fares offered by other Canadian airlines, including WestJet UltraBasic, Porter Airlines Porterclassic Basic, and most Flair Airlines fares.

Going forward, it’s worth considering the inclusions and exclusions with each fare, especially if where you sit and what you can bring on board is important to you.