Air Canada to tag carry-on luggage

Air Canada will start ensuring that all carry-on bags meet required size dimensions in a new program rolling out next week.

The new initiative will start May 25 at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, expanding to other airports throughout June. Air Canada will have staff at both check-in and security checkpoints to confirm and tag bags that meet existing carry-on dimensions. According to a statement from the carrier, the new policy was enacted to make it easier and safer to stow personal items on board, may help reduce wait times at security, and will help avoid flight delays caused by larger bags being checked at the gate.

Travellers who reach security and are required to check a bag will receive a special card allowing them to return to a check-in agent.

Requests for additional comment on the new tagging policy were not returned by press time.

Last fall, Air Canada introduced a $25 fee for the first checked bag on some flights within North America, a move which the carrier said was in keeping with other Canadian and U.S. airlines.