August 28,2025
RED FM News Desk
Air Canada has announced it is “pausing” flight change and standard seat selection fees on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express between August 27 and September 12.
However, aviation expert John Gradek calls the move a “minimal effort to attract media attention.”
Gradek, a McGill faculty member, told CTVNews.ca that the temporary fee suspension appears aimed at improving Air Canada’s image with passengers following the recent strike.
“They’re just trying to smooth things over a little bit,” he said. “If they really wanted to make an impact, they wouldn’t have limited it to just two weeks.”
According to Air Canada’s website, the waiver only applies to tickets purchased between August 27 and September 12. Customers may change their flights free of charge based on availability in the originally purchased cabin, though fare differences may still apply. Only one change is allowed during the ticket’s validity period.
Gradek argued that the move is more about marketing than meaningful change.
“It’s Air Canada’s attempt to keep revenues mostly intact while generating publicity,” he said. “This change is fleeting and has no real impact on the market. Would people switch from WestJet to Air Canada because of a two-week fee waiver? The answer is probably no.”
He added that if Air Canada’s goal is to win over more passengers, it will take more significant changes than this.
“When you look at all the extra fees charged to passengers, this is small potatoes,” Gradek said.
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