MONTREAL – There’s both good news and bad news that come with Air Transat’s new checked baggage allowance policy. On the one hand, it includes a baggage weight increase, but on the other hand passengers will have to start paying a fee.

The new policy applies to flights and packages departing as of Nov. 1, 2016 to the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America and Europe, as well as to domestic flights within Canada.

The maximum weight per bag will be increased and standardized. For Economy Class passengers travelling to these destinations, the baggage allowance will be increased from a total weight of 20kg to one piece of 23kg. For Economy Class passengers who’ve booked cruise packages, the baggage allowance will be increased from a total weight of 25kg to one piece of 28kg.

The downside, however, is an extra charge for passengers. In a move similar to other Canadian carriers, Air Transat has enforced a new $25 fee on the first piece of checked baggage, per flight segment, for Economy Class passengers who have booked flights only to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central and South America, a policy that was already in effect on flights to the U.S.

However, for Economy Class passengers who have booked all-inclusive packages to the South, Air Transat will include one free piece of checked baggage of 23kg, compared to 20kg under the previous policy.

The airline will continue to allow one free piece of checked baggage of 23kg for all Economy Class passengers travelling to Europe.

All this makes Option Plus far more enticing for travellers. Option Plus passengers in Economy Class will benefit from an additional piece of checked baggage of 23kg. This new privilege will make an upgrade to Option Plus even more attractive, in particular to passengers who book packages to the South or Europe as they’ll see their baggage allowances increase to two pieces of 23kg each, for a total of 46kg. Option Plus benefits also include seat selection priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling, as well as other extras onboard.

Club Class passengers will also benefit from an increased baggage allowance. Those travelling to the South, the U.S. or within Canada will be allowed two pieces of 25kg each, for a total of 50kg, while those travelling to Europe will be allowed two pieces of 32kg each, for a total of 64kg (compared to 40kg under the previous policy).

Air Transat’s sporting equipment baggage policy remains unchanged.