He added that customers need to be aware that what they see as the lowest fare on a price comparison search may not wind up being the cheapest option once the fees are tallied.
“It’s not transparent until you’ve gotten a certain depth into the booking: ‘Oh, here’s the seat selection fee. Oh, here’s the baggage fee. Oh, here’s the carry-on fee.’ And watch out if you don’t check-in online, there’s a massive penalty if you don’t,” Vanderlubbe said.
Can we get an AMA from someone who’s actually flown without a carry on?
I feel like the industry / govt went the wrong way here - rather than trying to compete with Flair by letting all airlines stoop to this level of selling a useless ticket at an unrealistically low base fare, they should have just outlawed it, bringing Flair up to their level.
I love the way Air Canada positioned it as “choice”. They’ll claim, of course, to offer this as a lower cost option. In reality, it’s just going to ask you to pay more.
I fly without a carry-on all the time. I have a small backpack that has only things I need during the flight like my headphones/laptop/gaming device in it.
Keep in mind they are only talking about carry-on bags that must go in the overhead because they are too big to fit under a seat. Anything that can fit under the seat is a personal item.
I’ve flown on United’s “Basic Economy”, which allows no carry-on. You still get your “personal item”.
I’d say it just depends on where you’re going and how long you’re staying. For a weekend trip, you’re probably fine, except that many backpacks intended as carry-ons are too big to be a personal item. Thus you may need a new bag.
Anything more than a few days, and it is probably untenable.
Yeah I can fit a 30L bag under the seat, which has enough room to stuff 3 nights of clothes and essentials and a handful of souvenirs. You can generally make it work for up to a weeklong vacation, unless it’s like a relative’s place where you can leave or use stuff there.
Cheers for the legit reply. I have to seriously reassess my packing and backpack choice.
Hey @GameGod I made a post with more tips when packing just a small item for you.
Thank you!
I have a jacket with 4 deep pockets, I don’t bring carry on bag all my stuff is in my pockets.
I’ve done 3-4 day trips business or casual with only a “personal item”. Backpack jammed with everything.
I have, but only for 3 day trip. With the Personal Item as a laptop bag, I can fit the laptop and accessories, and then choose materials that pack small like dress slacks instead if jeans, and poly shirts instead of cotton T shirts. You can lay pants folded into laptop bag slots. Shirts typically rolled and tucked down either end of laptop. Socks can be tricky since I need cotton to breath or my feet sweat LOL. Either a light jacket with the outer and inner pockets, or a business sport coat that has same. Shoes have to match all your outfits because packing extra shoes is a lot of bulk.
they should have just outlawed it
God forbid other people have options that you personally wouldn’t choose.
Hence the AMA request - I don’t think a single person would ever buy these fares because they’re completely unpractical. What kind of travel can you do where you don’t have a carry-on?
edit: good replies from the other commenters show some answers instead of just snark!
I left a top-level comment about my own experience with flights like these.
Yay options to make everything more expensive and shittier.
I’ve never flown with a carry-on (or did the question imply being Canadian?) AMA
Isn’t this already common? I’ve flown on a couple of budget carriers in the US that had such a rule. I was still allowed to bring my backpack which fit under the seat in front of me. The ticket price was low enough that buying the few things that I couldn’t fit in my backpack was cheaper than either paying to bring a suitcase or going with a more expensive airline. I wouldn’t do it if I was on a business trip and had to bring a suit, but the last time I traveled I brought presents for my hosts in my backpack, purchased clothing at my destination, and flew back with that new clothing in the space where the presents had been.
Fun fact: Spirit airlines charges 5 dollars for any beverage including water. Some guy didn’t know, asked for a cup of water, and then had to give it back. I don’t mind, because it means my ticket is cheaper. I did mind the extremely uncomfortable seats, but I’d still rather have $50 than be less uncomfortable during the flight.
Sure but flight prices suck in Canada. And I only see this making them go up more.
