New Checked Baggage Policy in Effect May 3, 2017

Richmond, BC – Pacific Coastal Airlines will implement a new checked baggage policy on Monday, May 1, 2017. Under the new guidelines, the airline will apply a checked baggage- handling fee based on the fare category selected by customers at the time of booking or at check in.  These new charges will not apply to bookings made prior to May 1.

“We didn’t make this decision lightly”, says Pacific Coastal’s Director of Business Development Kevin Boothroyd. “Airlines are faced with a variety of increasing operational costs that are largely outside of our control. While we have limited options to recoup these rising costs at our disposal, our customers also expect us to provide them with lower fare prices. This change is a reflection of these competing realities”.

The concept of charging for checked baggage was originally launched by so-called “low cost carriers” about a decade ago, but in the fall of 2014 WestJet and Air Canada implemented similar policies. Other airlines soon followed, yet Pacific Coastal resisted for as long as possible.

“We had intentionally chosen to ignore this trend within our industry,” says Pacific Coastal Airlines’ Vice President of Operations Rob Kidner. “We spent considerable time and energy developing our “50 For Free” campaign as a way to help promote this advantage. However, upon careful examination of the results, we were unable to realize any meaningful advantage in terms of renewed customer loyalty or improvement to our bottom line revenues.”

The new policy also includes an increase to the current carry-on baggage allowance. Passengers will be allowed 2 carry on/valet articles – 1 standard article and 1 personal article – for a total maximum weight of 44 pounds (22 pounds each).
.
Maximum SizeMaximum Weight
1 Standard Article9" x 15.5" x 21.5"
(23cm x 40cm x 55cm)
22lbs
10kgs
1 Personal Article6" x 13" x 17"
(16cm x 33cm x 43cm)		22lbs
10kgs
The new baggage guidelines provide additional value to Pacific Coastal’s customers by creating a clearer distinction within the features and benefits attached to each of the three fare classes (Bravo, Classic, and Encore). While there is no free checked baggage included with the lower- priced Bravo fare, customers can choose to purchase a Classic fare (one free checked bag), or Encore fare (two free checked bags), according to their unique travel needs at the time they make their reservation.

In addition, customers who purchase flights online at www.pacificcoastal.com will experience a new user-friendly selection tool which allows for pre- payment of checked bags, in-cabin and checked pets, and oversized items like bicycles and surfboards.

“In the final analysis, this change ensures that Pacific Coastal will remain a stable and competitive force in the B.C. marketplace, and that means more choices for buyers and lower fare prices to the public in the long run”, adds Boothroyd.

For more information visit our checked-baggage Q&A page, or speak to with a customer service agent at 1.800.662.2872.

The new fees will be applied in the following manner:

Regular Fares (including tax)

1st Checked Piece2nd Checked Piece3 Pieces or moreOversized or overweight
(single item exceeding 50lbs
or 62" linear dimensions)
Bravo Fare*$31.50$52.50$105.00$105.00
Classic Fare*FREE$52.50$105.00$105.00
Encore Fare*FREEFREE$105.00$105.00

 *Some exclusions apply

 QuikPass Fares (including tax)

1st Checked Piece2nd Checked Piece3 Pieces or moreOversized or overweight
(single item exceeding 50lbs
or 62" linear dimensions)
QuikPass BravoFREE$52.50$105.00$105.00
QuikPass ClassicFREEFREE$105.00$105.00
QuikPass EncoreFREEFREE$105.00$105.00

 *Some exclusions apply

 

Media contact:

Kevin Boothroyd, Director Business Development
(M) 604.833.6265 (W) 604.214.2388 E-mail: kevin.boothroyd@pacificcoastal.com