December 4, 2024
Air Canada is making changes to Economy Basic and Economy comfort fares.
Basic fare baggage
Air Canada Economy Basic fare tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025, will no longer include carry-on baggage. Customers will only be permitted to bring one (1) personal article when travelling:
- within Canada
- to and from the U.S. (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico)
- to and from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
Standard baggage fare rules apply.
Economy Basic customers connecting onwards to an international destination can continue to bring one (1) standard carry-on bag and one (1) personal item on board.
Aeroplan Elite Status Members, Star Alliance Gold, and Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholder benefits continue to apply.
See our carry-on baggage policy for more information.
If you have a reservation with Air Canada Vacations, visit their website for more details.
Basic fare seating
Starting January 21, 2025, the new Basic fare will still include complimentary seat assignment at check-in for customers who have not paid a fee to select their seats in advance.
All Basic customers who wish to change their seat from the one automatically assigned at check-in will be required to pay for that change.
For families or those requiring an assistant, Air Canada remains committed to seating these customers together as per its current policy, which also prioritizes seating travelling companions together.
To make a seat change, you can retrieve your booking online, via the Air Canada mobile app, or use one of the airport check-in kiosks.
Aeroplan Elite Status Members, Star Alliance Gold, and Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholder benefits continue to apply.
Comfort fare changes
Starting January 3, 2025, Air Canada is increasing the checked baggage allowance for customers travelling worldwide on its Economy comfort fare. Under the new structure, comfort fare customers who purchase their tickets from January 3, 2025, onwards will be entitled to check two complimentary bags, where currently the fare permits only one checked bag.
See more information on baggage and our fare options.
Frequently asked questions
Economy Basic: carry-on baggage
To which destinations do the upcoming changes to carry-on baggage apply?
Air Canada Economy Basic fare tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025, will no longer include carry-on baggage. Customers will only be permitted to bring one (1) personal article when travelling:
- within Canada
- to and from the U.S. (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico)
- to and from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
Standard baggage fare rules apply.
Any additional bags (including carry-on luggage) will need to be checked for a fee at the airport.
I already have an Economy Basic ticket. Do the carry-on baggage changes apply to me?
If you already have an Economy Basic ticket or purchase one before January 3, 2025, there is no change to your carry-on baggage allowance.
The upcoming changes to carry-on baggage allowance apply exclusively to Economy Basic tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025.
If I purchase an Economy Basic ticket before January 3, 2025, will the carry-on baggage changes apply to me?
If you purchase an Economy Basic ticket before January 3, 2025, there will be no change to your carry-on baggage allowance.
The upcoming changes to carry-on baggage allowance apply exclusively to Economy Basic tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025.
What is the difference between a carry-on bag and a personal item?
A standard carry-on bag can measure a maximum of 55 cm (21.5 in) in height, 23 cm (9 in) in depth, and 40 cm (15.5 in) in width.
The maximum dimensions of a personal item are 33 cm (13 in) in height, 16 cm (6 in) in depth, and 43 cm (17 in) in width.
See our carry-on baggage policy page for complete details, including images.
How will the carry-on baggage changes affect accessibility or special service requests?
The special rules and exemptions that currently apply to mobility aids and medical devices are unaffected by the upcoming changes to carry-on baggage allowance.
For customers travelling with children, collapsible strollers, car seats* or other child restraint devices* will be exempt from the new carry-on baggage allowance. Find out more about travelling with children.
*When a seat has been purchased for the child.
What happens if I’m travelling internationally but I have a connection in Canada or the U.S., for example?
If you’re travelling with an Economy Basic fare on an international itinerary that allows you to bring one (1) personal item and one (1) standard carry-on bag, that allowance will apply for your entire trip.
You can still bring your personal item and your standard carry-on bag on board even if your international itinerary includes a connecting flight in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean.
Economy Basic: seat assignment
To which destinations will seat assignment apply?
For customers travelling on an Economy Basic fare on or after January 21, 2025, automatic seat assignment at check-in will apply to all destinations.
I already have an Economy Basic ticket. Will seat assignment apply to me?
Seat assignment for Economy Basic fares will be based on your date of travel and not on the date you purchased your ticket.
- It will not apply to you if you are travelling before January 21, 2025.
- It will apply to you if you are travelling on or after January 21, 2025.
Will seat assignment apply to me if I purchase an Economy Basic ticket before January 21, 2025?
Seat assignment for Economy Basic fares will be based on your date of travel and not on the date you purchase your ticket.
- It will not apply to you if you are travelling before January 21, 2025.
- It will apply to you if you are travelling on or after January 21, 2025, regardless of the date you purchased your ticket.
We’re travelling as a family. How will seat assignment for Basic fares affect us?
Even when seat assignment for Basic fares comes into effect, we’ll continue to assign seats together for customers travelling on the same booking.
For families or those requiring an assistant, Air Canada remains committed to seating these customers together as per its current policy, which also prioritizes seating travelling companions together.
Aeroplan and Star Alliance Gold
I’m an Aeroplan Elite Member. How do the changes to Economy Basic affect me?
All the Aeroplan Elite benefits you enjoy today will continue to apply. In addition, Elite members travelling on a Basic fare will still be able to bring on board one (1) personal article and one (1) standard carry-on bag.
I’m an Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholder. How do the changes to Economy Basic affect me?
All the Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholder benefits you enjoy today continue to apply (for example, 1st Free Checked Bag benefits), and you may also bring one (1) standard carry-on bag and one (1) personal item on board.
I’m an Aeroplan Core Credit Cardholder (not Premium). How will this change affect me?
Aeroplan Core Credit Cardholders travelling on a Basic fare may bring one (1) personal article on board. The Aeroplan Credit Card benefits you enjoy today continue to apply. If your card offers a 1st Free Checked Bag benefit, you can use it to check your standard carry-on item in the airport lobby, free of charge.
If you’re an Aeroplan Elite Status Member with a core credit card, you will still be able to bring on board one (1) personal article and one (1) standard carry-on bag when travelling on a Basic fare.
Can I still earn Aeroplan points when I purchase an Economy Basic fare?
Yes, you can continue to earn Aeroplan points when you travel on an Economy Basic fare:
- 10% for travel within Canada
- 25% for all other destinations
Reminder: Economy Basic fares don’t allow for the accumulation of Status Qualifying Miles.
How do the upcoming changes to Economy Basic affect Star Alliance Gold Members?
The upcoming changes to Economy Basic fares will not apply to Star Alliance Gold Members. All Star Alliance Gold benefits will continue to apply.