Flying under the radar can be taken literally or figuratively. For Air Canada, the latter seems to be the modus operandi as it quietly adds a bag fee for flights to the U.S.

For economy class tickets purchased from 7 September with travel from 11 October, Air Canada will charge CAD$25 (US$25.30, €18.40) for a first checked bag for flights leaving Canada to the U.S. Canada's second largest carrier, Calgary-based WestJet currently charges $20 (US$20.25, €14.74) but that is for a second checked bag. The first checked bag on trans-border flights on WestJet is still free. With fuel prices remaining high and perpetually volatile, one has to wonder if the few remaining holdouts on baggage fees will continue to dwindle.

Air Canada cites the need to remain competitive as the primary reason for implementing the charge. With chief domestic and trans-border competitor WestJet refraining from charging for a first checked bag, the "competitive" mantra refers to revenue generation parity and not necessarily policy. The head of a Canadian consumer group calls the new fee a "money grab."

According to The Calgary Herald, Air Canada flights from Canada to Africa, the Middle East, Russia, Asia, South America and Australia will not feature the first bag fee but the charge for a second checked bag will go up to CAD$70 (US$71, €51.60), matching the charge for a second bag on flights to Europe and India. Flyers within Canada need not fear for now. Air Canada will continue to allow a first checked bag for free on domestic Canadian flights.