Warning: Airline checked baggage allowance CUT IN HALF to 1 suitcase!!!!

[The Littlest Hobo]

Hiya,
in case you are flying to Canada soon and you haven't heard the news, effective immediately or in the near future for many of the major airlines flying between Canada and Europe (and other countries as well I believe), the luggage allowance has been reduced from 2x 23kg suitcases to 1, unless you pay €50 or $50 or something.

Something to verify before you go.

Good luck to all you guys landing before Christmas, I'm grinchy-green with envy!
TLH

 

[MARLENA]

Yes you are right!!! I think this policy will start in January.

 

[Ssarah183]

That sucks, I always loved that Air Canada was more flexible!

Oh well, guess they have to make money somehow!

 

[toby]

But I just checked the Air Canada website, baggage restrictions, and a normal international fare allows two bags of 50 lbs each.

If they were changing the baggage limit, would they not say so first on the website? Also, they couldn't sell a ticket with a two-bag limit, then retroactively reduce it to one bag, could they?

Probably they would announce first, and then all subsequent bookings would come with the reduced baggage limit.

 

[YorkFactory]

Hey, consider yourselves lucky. I just took a flight entirely within the U.S. and had to pay $18 to check one normal-sized bag.

I think there's only one airline in the U.S. that doesn't charge for the first checked bag.

edit: The same airline allows one free checked bag between the U.S. and Europe, and charges $45 or $50 for the second one. I guess they figure that if you're going that far, you need to be able to check a bag.

 

[Karlshammar]

Baggage allowances tend to be more generous for international that for domestic flights, but also vary between airline companies.

 

[Eric Parker]

Listen up everyone...

Per the Air canada Website (If you look at several pages)...

If you purchased your ticket before December 2nd and travel before January 19th, You will be under the old 2 baggage allowance. Otherwise, you will be only allowed 1 bag and will be charged 30 CAD for the 2nd bag.

if you ask me, the 30 CAD is a steal. Horizon charges 50 for the 2nd bag already.

 

[Suin]

why do they make this changes? does it include a hand luggage taken to the plane? any news about Lufthansa airlines?

 

[Karlshammar]

Airlines are in general a very unprofitable business, with strong and militant unions, so they have to squeeze every dollar. They're pretty much constantly fighting for survival.

why do they make this changes? does it include a hand luggage taken to the plane? any news about Lufthansa airlines?

 

[Suin]

nobody is willing to pay thousands of dollars for a several hours flight. if they consider reduce their fairs they would get more passengers aboard. but they do just the opposite making their clients choose other airlines that financially suit them better.
I recently heard that British Airways started charging for choosing the seats in the rows - before it was just a request, now you have to pay for it. just ridiculous.

 

[Karlshammar]

Sure, the problem is that if they reduced their fares they would go under. They struggle as they are already, even when they fill their planes. They have to find ways to reduce costs to be able to be competitive long-term.

nobody is willing to pay thousands of dollars for a several hours flight. if they consider reduce their fairs they would get more passengers aboard. but they do just the opposite making their clients choose other airlines that financially suit them better.
I recently heard that British Airways started charging for choosing the seats in the rows - before it was just a request, now you have to pay for it. just ridiculous.

 

[toby]

Wow. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than to be good. I bought my Air Canada ticket to Canada in November, and will fly on Jan 16. So, if I need to I can check 2 bags.

However, I return to China Feb 16; will I have to pay for a second checked bag on the return flight, even though I bought it under the two-bag regime? I suppose I'll simply find out at the Air Canada check-in counter.

One other change I can report on. I used to go to the airport three hours ahead of flight time to increase my chances of getting a bulkhead seat. Now you can reserve the bulkhead in advance by paying $75 extra. That's not much (in my opinion) for the convenience of having more leg room on a 13-hour flight.

Also, Air Canada has stopped charging $25 extra if you book your ticket by phone rather than online. Since agents are more adept at finding the cheap tickets (sometimes changing your flight days a little saves a lot), I prefer booking by phone.

 

[NYCtoNB]

my husband flew out two weeks ago on continental with one bag and he had to pay for it

 

[Suin]

my husband flew out two weeks ago on continental with one bag and he had to pay for it

just for one bag? no extra?

 

[NYCtoNB]

just for one bag? no extra?

he had exactly one bag, no carry on, or anything, had to pay 18$ it wasnt heavy either so it wasnt due to weight restrictions, if we had known there was going to be a charge he would have just put it in the over head and left his lighters here