Air Canada Pauses Seat Selection Policy Changes After Backlash
Air Canada has decided to pause changes to its seat selection policies following a wave of backlash from Canadian travellers. The airline had announced a new policy that would automatically assign seats to passengers at check-in for free, but would require a fee for any seat changes.
The proposed change was set to take effect on April 24, but Air Canada has now put a hold on the implementation for “operational reasons.” The airline stated that the new policy was aimed at providing transparent pricing to customers, allowing them to either pay for a seat selection or keep their assigned seat.
While the airline sells various branded fares with different perks, such as Basic, Latitude, and Business Class, the ability to select a seat ahead of the flight is considered an added advantage. Customers who do not have free seat selection included in their fare can either pay for a seat selection or wait for a seat to be assigned at check-in for no fee.
Despite the pause in implementing the new policy, Air Canada emphasized that the changes were consistent with their branded fares and similar to policies of other carriers in Canada. The airline also assured customers that those traveling with children would not have to pay a fee to sit together, regardless of their fare class.
In response to the proposed changes, many travellers took to social media to express their frustration. Some compared Air Canada’s policy to that of other airlines, while others criticized it as a cash grab. The airline has yet to announce when it plans to resume the implementation of the new seat selection policy.