Air Canada now charges a $30 fee per passenger for phone bookings as of October 15. This policy aligns Air Canada with other airlines like WestJet, United Airlines, and various low-cost carriers that impose non-refundable phone booking fees. However, competitors such as Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines still provide phone booking services without extra charges.

For a family of four opting for the traditional phone booking method with Air Canada, the additional cost will amount to $120. The airline’s decision aims to encourage customers to use their website or app, reducing call center expenses or compensating for them.

Andrew D’Amours, co-founder of flight deal site Flytrippers, noted that this change could disproportionately impact seniors who prefer phone bookings over online methods. He expressed concerns that this new policy might be unfair to older individuals uncomfortable with booking flights online.

The introduction of the phone booking fee reflects the ongoing trend in the airline industry of “unbundling” services, wherein passengers pay for amenities that were previously included in standard fares. Additional charges for services like checked bags, seat selection, priority boarding, and inflight snacks have become commonplace.

Airlines defend this practice by asserting that unbundling allows customers to understand precisely what they are paying for, with the expenses for specific services shouldered more by those who utilize them. D’Amours compared this concept to buying cheese in a block versus pre-shredded, emphasizing the trade-off between cost and convenience.

Air Canada clarified that customers requiring specialized assistance, including those with accessibility needs, are exempt from the phone booking fee. The airline also assured that no booking fee would apply in cases of travel disruptions such as delays or cancellations.