Air Canada, WestJet 'colluded' to charge checked bag fee, proposed class action alleges

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that Air Canada and WestJet "colluded to fix the price" and introduce a charge for a first checked bag fee within days of each other. In 2014, both Air Canada and WestJet introduced a C$25 charge for the first piece of checked luggage for economy passengers on domestic and other flights within North America. The case will only proceed if it is certified by the Saskatchewan court. A lawyer for the plaintiff alleges the country's two largest airlines "colluded," claiming WestJet publicly announced its checked bag fee plans as a way to invite Air Canada to follow along, which it did. The collusion argument, however, doesn't fly with one aviation analyst. He believes Air Canada simply reacted quickly to WestJet's news and says that's the way many industries operate. <br/>