Airlines as Air Canada or WestJet are been raking in billions of dollars worth of ancillary fees for years, for everything from checked bags to seat selection to meals. Now the latest round of baggage fee increases will no doubt offset rising fuel costs too.

Both Air Canada and WestJet are upping their fees for both the first checked bag (from $25 to $30) and the second checked bag (from $30 to $50). On August 27 JetBlue increased its first checked bag fee from US$25 to $30, the first major U.S. airline to make the move. JetBlue also bumped up its second checked bag fee from $35 to $40, and its third checked bag fee from $100 to $150.

 

 

The new fees apply on flights across Canada, to and from the U.S., the Caribbean, and Mexico, departing on or after October 5. Meanwhile, WestJet’s changes apply to flights starting October 1 for domestic bookings made as of August 24, and as of August 28 on flights to the U.S. and international destinations.

The fees apply to the lowest fare classes at both airlines. According to reports, the cost of jet fuel has gone up 50% in the past year, prompting airlines to sharply downgrade their profit expectations.

For more information, visit aircanada.com or westjet.com