WestJet introduces baggage calculator tool

How much does it really cost to fly with WestJet? There’s a new tool for that.

As part of the airline’s ongoing technology investments, WestJet has introduced a new online Baggage Calculator tool.

Available on WestJet’s website, guests can now submit their trip info, fare type, tier status and credit card holder status, and the calculator will explain what's included.

The tool was introduced to help travellers “strategically pack your belongings” with peace of mind.

The calculator comes not long after fees for carry-on bags became a national conversation after Air Canada, late last year, announced a new fare that excludes carry-on luggage.

The topic of fees made its way to a parliamentary committee in December where top executives from Air Canada, WestJet, Porter and Air Transat participated in a hearing,

During that meeting, WestJet’s CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said WestJet’s UltraBasic fare, which unbundles a product, comes down to offering travellers more choices.

At the time, the CEO said more than a million customers have purchased tickets that don't allow passengers a carry-on bag.

"It's a choice,” von Hoensbroech told the committee. “Everyone who buys this knows [it doesn't include a carry-on bag]. This is not a surprise, this is something someone deliberately chooses.”

The executives said by offering passengers different fare choices, they are making travel cheaper for Canadians.

Customers who avoid carry-on bags also prevent the type of delays that occur when overhead bin space on a flight runs out, von Hoensbroech said.

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