Two seats on the same flight in the same cabin can cost wildly different amounts, because you are not just buying the seat. Air Canada sells economy in five fare brands, from Basic to Latitude, and the price buys flexibility, bags, seat selection, earning, and the right to upgrade. Pick the wrong one and you pay later in change fees or baggage. Here is what each brand actually includes.
From cheapest and most restricted to fully flexible:
What each economy fare typically includes. The exact bag and seat rules shift by route, so treat this as the shape of the ladder, not a guarantee.
| Fare | Changes | Seat selection | Checked bag | Earning | eUpgrade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | No | No (assigned) | No | Lowest | No |
| Standard | Fee | Fee | No | Low | Waitlist |
| Flex | Free | Included | 1 | More | Waitlist |
| Comfort | Free, refundable | Preferred | 2 | More | Waitlist |
| Latitude | Free, refundable | Preferred | 2 | Most | Instant |
"Free" changes still cost any difference in fare. Baggage, seat, and earning rules vary by route (domestic, transborder, international) and by your status and credit card. Confirm the specific fare before you book.
Two different things get called changing a flight, and travellers mix them up.
A change means moving your booking to a different date or flight in advance. Flex, Comfort, and Latitude allow this with no change fee, though you still pay any fare difference. Basic cannot be changed; Standard charges a fee.
A same-day move is separate: on the day of departure, eligible travellers can switch to another flight, sometimes free with status or for a set fee. That is not the same as changing the booking ahead of time, and it depends on seats being open. For the full picture, see changing and cancelling a booking.
The fare is not the only thing that decides your baggage. An eligible Aeroplan credit card or elite status can add a free checked bag, often for everyone on the same booking, even on a Basic or Standard fare that includes none.
So a cheap fare plus a card benefit can beat a pricier fare you bought just for the bag. Check what your card already covers before paying up. See free checked bag rules, and when seat selection is free.
When you book with points, you will see the same brand logic: a cheaper award with fewer inclusions versus a dearer, more flexible one (often shown as Standard versus Flex reward). The higher award costs more points but adds changes, bags, and flexibility, exactly as the cash fares do. Weigh the extra points against what you would otherwise pay in fees.
They are economy fares that buy increasing flexibility. Basic is cheapest and most restricted; Latitude is fully flexible, refundable, earns the most, and upgrades first. Flex is the common middle ground.
It varies by route, but generally Flex, Comfort, and Latitude do, while Basic and Standard do not. A credit card or status can add a bag on any fare.
Yes, with no change fee, though you pay any fare difference. Basic cannot change; Standard charges a fee. Same-day moves are a separate option on the day of travel.
Higher brands earn more points and more SQC, and are more likely to clear an eUpgrade. Basic earns the least, Latitude the most. See how SQC works.
Come in for a free conversation. We can weigh the fare difference against bags, changes, and upgrade odds for your specific trip, and tell you which brand actually saves you money.