Westjet going to charge for first bag on flights?

[westbankkid]

Looks like westjet is going to be charging for the first bag on it's flights starting in october. http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/rewards ... -non-elite

[Fancy]

Air Canada is expected to do the same.

[Captain Awesome]

It's kind of universal now with airlines - lower the ticket price as much as possible but charge for baggage, water, and anything else.

[maryjane48]

*removed*

[ixler8]

It's kind of universal now with airlines - lower the ticket price as much as possible but charge for baggage, water, and anything else.

Not low fairs in Canada , say Seattle to NY on AA low $466 - $844 and say Vancouver to Montreal on AC low $863-1501 , I know it's not a perfect comparison , but with AC hug union overheads Westjet can charge what they want and make alot of money and AC continues to gush taxpayers money.

[Dizzy1]

Not low fairs in Canada , say Seattle to NY on AA low $466 - $844 and say Vancouver to Montreal on AC low $863-1501 , I know it's not a perfect comparison , but with AC hug union overheads Westjet can charge what they want and make alot of money and AC continues to gush taxpayers money.

Check the price breakdown on comaprisons between US and Canadian airfares - the biggest contributer to the price difference are non-airline fees such as taxes and airport fees not the airlines themselves.

[mexi cali]

One ay from La to NYC through Expedia Sep 27- 262.00

One way from Vancouver to Toronto through Expedia 239.00

Both all taxes and baggage in. WestJet and United.

Not sure what this has to do with the topic but hey!!! There it is.

[Dizzy1]

One ay from La to NYC through Expedia Sep 27- 262.00

One way from Vancouver to Toronto through Expedia 239.00

Both all taxes and baggage in. WestJet and United.

Not sure what this has to do with the topic but hey!!! There it is.

Taxes are still higher on the Canadian airfare.

A quick search on a nonstop return YVR-YYZ airfare has an airfare of $642.76 with Westjet being the cheapest. $137.76 of that are taxes and other government/airport fees. For the same dates the cheapest nonstop SEA-JFK flight with JetBlue is $426.00 with only $55.95 of that being taxes/fees.

Canada has has one of the highest airfare taxes and Government fees in the world (surprise) - it's not always the airlines at fault.

The one thing I'm still scratching my head on is that if it only affects 1 out of 5 passengers - what's the point? I mean the revenue loss would be minimal compared to the extra customers you'd could potentially gain by keeping the first bag for free

[tgm929]

The one thing I'm still scratching my head on is that if it only affects 1 out of 5 passengers - what's the point? I mean the revenue loss would be minimal compared to the extra customers you'd could potentially gain by keeping the first bag for free

They had 1.9 million passengers in August. If they do the same approximate number each month that's over 100 Million dollars per year. Not exactly insignificant.

[GenesisGT]

Charge the $25 but I hope they get serious about checking the size of carry on baggage. It has gotten ridiculous over the years the size of bags people carry on and I have never seen an airline make someone place the bag in that fancy chrome container that sits there collecting dust.

Not only is it a pain getting hit by people carrying these bags down the plane aisle, but more importantly it is a safety issue if one of those bags ever fell out of overhead bin.

[SmokeOnTheWater]

AC continues to gush taxpayers money.

How so ? Air Canada was privatized in 1988.

[Dizzy1]

They had 1.9 million passengers in August. If they do the same approximate number each month that's over 100 Million dollars per year. Not exactly insignificant.

No it's not insignicant but if you waive the fee and AC starts charging - the chances people will be choosing WS has increased so you could easily end up doubling that extra $$$. You need to think like an entrepreneur and not an accountant ;)

[GordonH]

It appears airlines are taking a page out of oil companies price changes, when 1 does it they all do it.

[mexi cali]

Frequent flyers, seat upgrades or paying with the RBC WestJet CC will avoid the fee.

I got the CC. It was the easiest and the rewards aren't bad. Used to fly a lot, not so much now but I hate the charge.

It just seems excessive. Form zero to 25.00. Why not 5.00? or even 10.00?

[tgm929]

No it's not insignicant but if you waive the fee and AC starts charging - the chances people will be choosing WS has increased so you could easily end up doubling that extra $$$. You need to think like an entrepreneur and not an accountant ;)

It's a nice theory, but with WJ at their highest load levels in history, where would you put all these new passengers? To grow they need more access to airports, more routes, more airplanes and more staff. All of which cost major amounts of money. Money that they can make on these baggage charges.

I can't think of a successful entrepreneur that would turn down $100 million increase in revenues with minimal increase in expenses. Considering most "entrepreneurs" end up bankrupt, I'll stick with having realistic and accurate business plans that involve long term strategies instead of just worrying about how to make a buck next week.