Air Transat is making changes to its fare classes for new bookings, effective August 8.

The airline’s Eco Standard fare class no longer includes checked baggage for domestic flights and flights to the United States. Other changes to fare classes are also being implemented.

The new policy affects only domestic flights within Canada and flights to the United States.

According to the airline’s new policy, only the Eco Flex, Club Standard, and Club Flex fare classes still include checked baggage, with one bag included for Eco Flex and two bags included for Club Standard and Club Flex.

The Eco Standard fare class no longer includes a checked bag in the ticket price, similar to the existing Eco Budget fare class.

For example, passengers will need to pay $42 per bag per flight segment (or $53 if purchased 24 hours before departure) for a Montreal-Miami flight, unless they purchase Option Plus, which includes checked baggage.

If a change is made to the initial booking after August 8, 2024, the new sales conditions in effect at the time of the change will apply.

Exclusions for packages and groups

The changes do not apply to packages or groups, as the former includes a checked bag, and group conditions naturally differ from individual booking conditions.

Each passenger will still be entitled to one cabin bag, as is currently the case.

A strictly North American policy

“It is not our plan to extend these new conditions to our international routes at this time,” Air Transat spokesperson tells Profession Voyages, Travelweek’s French publication.

“The goal of these changes is to offer the products our customers are looking for at the best price by aligning with market conditions,” they added.

New flexibility conditions

In line with these changes, Air Transat is also announcing updates to its flexibility conditions:

• Removal of change fees for Club and Club Standard: henceforth, only the fare difference will be charged, if applicable. No changes will be permitted within 24 hours of departure.
• Cancellation fees will now be calculated per person, per direction:
  • Economy and Eco Standard: $125 per person per direction
  • Club and Club Standard: $50 per person per direction
• No refunds will be given within 24 hours of departure. Refunds will be made according to the payment method on file if the cancellation is made by the customer, even in cases of force majeure. If a change is made to the initial booking after August 8, 2024, the new sales conditions in effect at the time of the change will apply.

Source: Travelweek