Canadian North adds fees amid “significant surge” in carry-ons, baggage

Canadian North says it will introduce baggage fee increases and other restrictions later this month in response to “a significant surge” in passengers carrying on and checking multiple bags.

In a press release posted Wednesday (May 15), the Inuit-owned airline said the resurgence of travel and heightened demand, combined with excess luggage, has resulted in “bumped baggage, flight delays and even fewer available seats.”

“We understand that a lack of access to affordable products in the North sometimes means transporting extra items up via passenger flight. Unfortunately, because of capacity and weight regulations, that has meant not all bags reach their destination when their owners do,” the airline wrote. “Our goal is to right size the number of checked bags in relation to our actual aircraft capacity.”

The airline’s new baggage policy, which takes effect on May 29, increases the fees paid based on the number of bags passengers plan to check and the type of fare they purchase.

While all passengers gets one checked bag for free, those with “saver” or “flex” tickets will pay $86.25 for a second bag and $138 for a third bag.

Currently, a “saver” ticket-holder pays $57.50 for a second bag and $114.98 for a third bag. A “flex” ticket-holder currently gets a second checked bag for free and pays $114.98 for a third.

The first checked bag is considered “priority” and travels with the passenger, the airline says.

Depending on the fare, a second bag will either be priority or will travel on standby – meaning it may arrive on a later flight. Third bags travel on standby, the airline says, and any extra bags must be shipped separately as cargo.

Fees remain the same for pets, but there is a new fee for overweight or oversized luggage.

All the above changes apply to tickets issued on or after Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

“In our commitment to service excellence, Canadian North is prioritizing safety, efficiency, and passenger convenience, ensuring that each journey with us is both secure and comfortable,” stated Canadian North President & CEO Shelly De Caria. “With these revisions, we will ensure our customers and their allotted baggage arrive at their destination together.”

Visit www.canadiannorth.com/baggage for more info.

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