(Montreal) Air Canada is pausing new fees for seat selection, just days after implementing this policy which has sparked discontent among many travelers.
For years, customers benefiting from economy fares have been able to change the seat automatically assigned to them at check-in free of charge.
However, travel agencies received a notice from the company this month announcing a change on this subject. Passengers with a base or standard fare, who had not purchased a seat in advance, would have to pay a fee from April 24 to change their automatically designated seat.
Several travelers took to social media to express their disagreement with this decision, with some saying they had been caught off guard and had not been warned in advance by Air Canada.
The carrier says that two days after implementing these additional fees, which can exceed $50, it suspended the policy, citing operational considerations.
The company says it has received very little feedback from customers.
The measure, now suspended, is the latest example of airlines’ growing reliance on so-called incidental fees for previously bundled services, from checked baggage to on-board snacks and access. Wireless.