Air Canada Implements Fee for Phone Bookings

The airline is charging $30 for new reservations made through its contact centre to encourage the use of digital tools.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Canada

Air Canada Implements Fee for Phone Bookings

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Do you support airlines charging customers an additional fee for booking flights over the phone?

Air Canada has introduced a $30 fee for new flight bookings made over the phone. The charge aims to reduce call centre wait times by directing travellers toward self-serve digital platforms.

Why it matters

By implementing this fee, the airline intends to shift booking traffic online and ensure that customer service agents are available to handle complex travel issues rather than routine ticketing requests.

Air Canada is now charging a $30 per-passenger fee for new phone-based bookings. This rate is higher than the $25 fee currently charged by competitors WestJet and Flair Airlines for similar service.

The players

Air Canada

This entity is the largest airline in Canada and the country's flag carrier.

WestJet

This is a major Canadian airline that operates as a primary competitor to Air Canada.

Flair Airlines

This company is a Canadian low-cost carrier that competes in the domestic aviation market.

The details

The new policy applies specifically to new bookings made through the airline's contact centre. Support for existing reservations, travel disruptions, and general inquiries remains free of charge for all customers.

The $30 phone booking fee took effect on October 15, 2026.

Travel Outlook

This move reflects the broader industry shift toward digital-first service models as airlines work to move transactional tasks away from live agents. It mirrors ongoing efforts by major carriers to prioritize agent resources for high-complexity traveller needs.

Travellers should prioritize using the airline's website or mobile app to book new tickets to avoid the additional $30 surcharge per passenger. Existing bookings and support for active travel disruptions will remain exempt from this fee.

The takeaway

Travellers can maintain lower costs by managing their bookings through self-serve online tools rather than calling customer support. This change underscores how airlines are increasingly charging for human-assisted service to optimize operational efficiency.