Air Canada joins WestJet in hiking checked-bag fee. Could carry-on charges be next? | CBC News

It comes as no surprise to some industry experts: Air Canada hiked its first checked-bag fee by $5 for economy-type fares this week, shortly after WestJet made the same move. “It’s a business,” said Karl Moore, an associate professor with McGill University’s faculty of management. “You’re leaving money on the table if you don’t do it. There’s no outrage about it, so you can make some more money.” It remains to be seen, however, if customers do express outrage once they’re hit with the higher bag fee. Even if they…

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Canada-U.S. Border Closure To Be Extended Beyond June 21, Sources Say | CBC News

The Canada-U.S. border closure to all non-essential traffic will be extended beyond the June 21 date set last month, sources tell CBC News. Sources with direct knowledge of the situation have confirmed to CBC News that Canada and the United States are holding talks about extending the border restrictions but the agreement has yet to be signed. Both countries reached an agreement in March to temporarily close the border to non-essential travel — meaning no recreational visits — while keeping it open to commercial traffic and essential workers who cross…

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‘You’re Gonna Lose Your Money’: Air Canada Online Glitch Leaves Retiree On Hook For Flight He Didn’t Book | CBC News

A Winnipeg retiree fought back after finding himself on the hook to pay for an Air Canada flight he didn’t book, and never took. Claude Neblett was charged more than $700 after a website malfunction took his credit card details, but didn’t issue him an airline ticket. “I was very, very angry. Very upset,” said Neblett, who lives on a fixed income after retiring from Canadian Pacific Railway more than a decade ago. “But then I calmed myself down I said, well, I will try every means to get my refund.”…

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As Airlines Hike Checked Bag Fees, Charges For Carry-on Luggage Could Be Next | CBC News

Buckle up: Now that Air Canada and WestJet have hiked their checked bag fees for economy fares, some airline experts predict charges for carry-on luggage could be next. “It’s only a matter of time,” said airline analyst, Fred Lazar. He believes higher checked bag fees will inspire even more people to stuff all their luggage into carry-on bags, prompting the two airlines to introduce carry-on charges to help stem the tide. “The initial driver will be the problems as people shift more and more to carry-on,” said Lazar, a professor of…

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Air Canada To Offset Rise In Fuel Prices With Higher Fares, May Trim Capacity | CBC News

Air Canada experienced a 31 per cent increase in the price of jet fuel compared with last year’s second quarter, and plans to offset some of the impact with higher fares and other initiatives, Air Canada chief executive Calin Rovinescu said Friday. The Montreal-based airline did well in terms of revenue, which rose 10.4 per cent compared with last year’s second quarter, but adjusted earnings dropped to $114 million or 41 cents per share. That was only about half as much as Air Canada’s adjusted earnings of $226 million or 82 cents per share…

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Air Canada, CIBC, TD And Visa Offer To Buy Aeroplan | CBC News

Air Canada is teaming up with three financial services giants to try to buy its former loyalty program, Aeroplan, from its current owner. Air Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, CIBC and Visa made the announcement Wednesday they want to buy Aeroplan from Aimia, in exchange for taking over the liability of $2 billion worth of outstanding Aeroplan points, plus $250 million in cash. The airline announced last year it would soon be ending its 30-year partnership with Aeroplan, a development that sent the parent company’s stock price tumbling and scrambling for new partners. Air Canada started Aeroplan as its…

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Air Canada’s ‘Ancillary’ Fees For Customers Add Up To Big Bucks – Business – CBC News

Global airlines are expected to earn a record $82 billion US this year by charging customers extra for everything from seat assignment to baggage fees to travel commissions. And Air Canada is among the top ten airlines in the world when it comes to earning this so-called ancillary revenue, racking up nearly $1.18 billion US last year, according to reports from IdeaWorksCompany, a U.S. research company that tracks airline revenue. IdeaWorksCompany reviewed 138 airlines and examined in detail 66 airlines that publicly disclose extra revenues in their financial filings, which Air…

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U.S.-Bound Travellers To Face ‘Enhanced Security Measures’ At All Canadian Airports – Toronto – CBC News

Airline passengers travelling from Canada to the United States will face a new battery of “enhanced security measures” now required by the Department of Homeland Security. The new measures will be enforced starting July 19 and include: WestJet and Air Canada are advising passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure to accommodate the enhanced screening process. Faster airport security? New automated checkpoints may have you sailing through Enhanced airport security could end U.S. laptop ban. Read full story here:  U.S.-Bound Travellers To Face ‘Enhanced…

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Canada’s Airline Rankings Pale In Comparison To Global Competitors – National | Globalnews.ca

Air Canada sits below 28 other airlines on Skytrax’s annual world’s 100 best airlines‘ ranking — but the same survey also names it as North America’s best carrier. The ranking, which bills itself as “the Oscars of the aviation industry,” was created using data from an online survey taken by 19.9-million people. It asked consumers to rank airlines on a variety of topics. The first topic, “ground/airport,” asked about services such as websites, check-in times and airport staff. The second, “onboard product,” inquired about aspects such as seat comfort, food quality, cabin…

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Aeroplan No More? Air Canada To Launch Own Loyalty Program | Globalnews.ca

Air Canada announced Thursday it plans to launch its own loyalty program and will replace Aeroplan in 2020. In a statement, Air Canada said Aeroplan will no longer be the carrier’s loyalty program after its agreement with Aimia – Aeroplan’s parent company – effectively ends June 30, 2020. “The new program, launching in 2020, will offer additional earning and redemption opportunities, more personalized service and a better digital experience for Air Canada customers,” Benjamin Smith, president of Air Canada’s passenger airlines, said in a statement. “Similar to all of Air…

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