Air Transat: End of Free Carry-On Baggage for Certain Destinations

Following in the footsteps of WestJet and Air Canada, Air Transat is ending free carry-on baggage for passengers who have booked certain basic fares on North American flights and to sun destinations. Air Transat will charge between $35 and $50 to include a carry-on in the booking.

Air Transat assures that flights to Europe, Peru and Morocco are not affected by these changes.

As explained on the pax nouvelles website:

According to Bernard Côté, Senior Director, Brand Communications at Transat, “These adjustments allow us to offer even more competitive rates and better align ourselves with industry practices, in order to continue to offer an accessible travel experience that is adapted to market expectations”.

Here are more details on the changes according to fare class:

• Budget Eco or Promo Fare: passengers are entitled to one personal item, and all other baggage must be checked in and will be subject to the applicable fees.
• Standard Eco: passengers are entitled to one carry-on bag and one personal item. Checked baggage, previously included, is now subject to applicable fees.

Air Transat has not yet launched its frequent flyer program, which should arrive sometime in 2025. Until then, it’s still possible to redeem travel credit card reward points as payment for a flight on Air Transat. For example, you could use points from the National Bank World Elite Mastercard or TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card and use the travel booking portal to book your flight.

Or, using the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card or Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport Card, you can purchase your flight directly on the Air Transat website, then apply your Aventura or Scene+ points to get a Statement credit.

Read our guide to saving on your flight tickets with points to find out more.

Air Transat is following the trend of other airlines in Canada by adding these baggage fees.

We therefore advise you to take into account the baggage included or excluded when searching for flights or booking your all-inclusive packages with Transat, and to confirm the inclusions (and exclusions) of each fare class before booking.

Our tip for saving on baggage fees: holders of the National Bank World Elite Mastercard can apply their $150 annual travel credit to offset this expense.

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