Montreal, July 5, 2016 – Today, Air Transat announced its new checked baggage allowance policy. The changes, which aim to simplify and standardize its baggage policy, all while allowing the airline to align itself with the current practices of the industry, will come into effect on July 6, 2016, for departures as of November 1, 2016.

The policy will now take into consideration the number of pieces of checked baggage in addition to the weight and will apply to flights and packages to the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America and Europe, as well as to domestic flights within Canada. The maximum weight per bag will also be increased and standardized. For Economy Class passengers travelling to these destinations, the baggage allowance will be increased from a total weight of 20 kg to one piece of 23 kg. For Economy Class passengers who have booked cruise packages, the baggage allowance will be increased from a total weight of 25 kg to one piece of 28 kg.

New fees applicable on the first piece of checked baggage

Air Transat aligns itself with other Canadian carriers by applying a $25 fee on the first piece of checked baggage, per flight segment, for Economy Class passengers who have booked flights only to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central and South America* – a policy that was already in effect on flights to the United States.

However, for Economy Class passengers who have booked all-inclusive packages to the South, Air Transat will include one free piece of checked baggage of 23 kg, compared to 20 kg under the previous policy.

 Air Transat will continue to allow one free piece of checked baggage of 23 kg for all Economy Class passengers travelling to Europe.  

Increasing baggage allowances for Option Plus and Club Class passengers

Option Plus passengers in Economy Class will benefit from an additional piece of checked baggage of 23 kg. This new privilege will make an upgrade to Option Plus even more attractive, in particular to passengers who book packages to the South or Europe, as they will see their baggage allowances increase to two pieces of 23 kg each, for a total of 46 kg. Option Plus benefits also include seat selection and priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling, as well as other extras on board.

Club Class passengers will also benefit from an increased baggage allowance. Those travelling to the South, the United States or within Canada will be allowed two pieces of 25 kg each, for a total of 50 kg, while those travelling to Europe will be allowed two pieces of 32 kg each, for a total of 64 kg, compared to 40 kg under the previous policy.

It is also worth noting that the sporting equipment baggage policy remains unchanged.

For more details on Air Transat’s checked baggage allowance policy, visit http://www.airtransat.com/.

*Economy Class passengers who have booked flights only to the South at Eco Extra or Eco Max fares will be allowed one free piece of checked baggage of 23 kg, and an additional piece of 23 kg if they upgrade to Option Plus. Eco Fares (Eco, Eco Extra and Eco Max) offer flexible conditions for flight changes or cancellations.

About Air Transat

Air Transat is Canada's leading holiday travel airline. Every year, it carries some 3 million passengers to nearly 60 destinations in 30 countries aboard its fleet of Boeing narrow-body and Airbus wide-body jets. The company employs more than 2,500 people. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline at the Skytrax annual World Airline Awards, held in June 2015.