Major airline announces policy to charge customers who bring carry-on bags on board, sparking outrage: ‘Unacceptable’

These airline fees are on the rise.

Another major air carrier will apply a carry-on surcharge as the cost of checked bags increases.

Starting in January, Air Canada will charge basic economy passengers an additional fee to bring on board luggage larger than a carry-on bag or small backpack.

The fee will apply to flights within America, according to the Miami Herald.

Travelers who choose the budget fares option will be charged $25 for their first carry-on – which also includes rolling bags and large backpacks – and an additional $36 for a second.

If fliers fail to pay when booking their tickets or checking in for their flight, they will face an additional $46 airport fee.

Air Canada said the new policy, which begins in January. 3, “I line up[s] the airline’s fare structure with similar fare offers from other Canadian carriers,” according to the Miami Herald, though it has drawn attention from Canadian lawmakers.

“Let’s just say I’m not very happy today with what I’ve heard from Air Canada,” federal Transport Minister Anita Anand said in a recent interview. “I think they should take a look at the people they are targeting with these excessive fees. It is not acceptable.”

In January. On the 21st, the airline will also pay low-fare fliers for changing their assigned seats automatically at check-in, a policy, according to the Miami Herald, that was met with backlash from customers earlier this year.

Air Canada’s carry-on policies follow in the footsteps of budget airlines that charge an additional cost for carry-on baggage larger than a free personal item.

Frontier, for example, has faced criticism for incentivizing gate agents to catch customers trying to smuggle carry-ons and avoid fees, though CEO Barry Biffle doubled down on the policy this week.

“These are shoplifters. These are people who are stealing,” he told Reuters. “It’s not fair to everyone who follows the rules.”