Air Canada Introduces New Fee for Bookings Made with Live Representatives

Air Canada has implemented a new $30 fee for passengers who choose to book their flights over the phone with a live representative rather than using digital platforms. The additional charge applies per ticket, meaning that purchasing a pair of seats through telephone assistance will cost travelers an extra $60.

The airline stated that the new booking fee is strictly non-refundable, even if the underlying ticket is eventually canceled by the customer. According to the carrier, the policy change is designed to steer customers toward utilizing the official airline website or mobile app for their travel planning needs.

Explaining the shift toward digital channels, the airline noted on its website that its online tools allow passengers to easily plan and manage trips, access essential travel information, and receive real-time updates throughout their entire journey.

Despite the broad rollout of the new telephone booking fee, Air Canada has established several important exceptions to the rule. Passengers who require specialized care and support, including individuals with accessibility needs, are completely exempt from the charge.

In addition, travelers will not face the fee when calling customer support for assistance with existing reservations. The airline also confirmed that no extra charges will apply for booking new tickets by phone if unexpected flight delays or cancellations impact an ongoing itinerary.

The introduction of this customer service charge highlights a broader industry trend where major carriers utilize pricing mechanisms to reduce call center volume and encourage passengers to adopt automated digital booking platforms.