Rob Eedson, a resident of Ottawa, decided to upgrade his Air Canada tickets when planning a family vacation to San Diego in October. Opting for three “economy flex” fares online, which included one checked bag per passenger on both outbound and return flights, Eedson felt it was necessary due to traveling with his wife and young son who required extra luggage for toys and essentials.
However, upon reaching the United Airlines check-in counter for their codeshare flight booked through Air Canada, Eedson was surprised to be charged an additional $40 per bag for luggage despite having already paid for the checked bags through Air Canada. This scenario repeated on their return flights, leading to frustration for Eedson and his family.
Codeshare flights, where different carriers operate the flights sold by another airline like Air Canada in this case, have become more common but can result in discrepancies and confusion for passengers, according to John Gradek, an aviation analyst at McGill University. While codeshares offer expanded travel options, passengers may face issues like double charges for services due to lack of coordination between the involved airlines.
Eedson lodged a reimbursement claim with Air Canada, but it was denied, citing fees by other airlines involved in the itinerary. This contradicted the Canadian Transportation Agency’s rule of applying a single set of baggage rules for the entire journey based on the first flight segment’s carrier code, which, in Eedson’s case, was AC for Air Canada.
Despite complaints and inquiries, Air Canada initially remained unyielding until public intervention resulted in a refund from United Airlines. Similar instances of passengers encountering extra baggage charges on codeshare flights involving Air Canada have surfaced, prompting concerns about transparency and adherence to regulations.
The Canadian Transportation Agency noted a limited history of issuing fines related to baggage fees on codeshare flights. Eddie Ning, a marketing professor, highlighted the potential violation of the Competition Act through hidden pricing practices, emphasizing the importance of upfront pricing clarity for consumers.
While Eedson eventually received a refund, he emphasized the need for airlines to ensure seamless experiences for passengers and adherence to regulations, aiming to prevent future travelers from facing similar challenges when booking codeshare flights.