Airline hidden fees have turned flight booking into a guessing game. You find a $168 ticket to Calgary and click through, carry-on selected, one checked bag, and suddenly you're looking at $700. The fare didn't change. You did. And the deal you thought you found was never actually there.

There is a version of flying where the price you see is the price you pay. That version is gone. What's left is a layer cake of basic, standard, and flex options, where bringing a carry-on costs more than the seat beside it, and the flex upgrade that removes your change fee runs another $100 on top. At some point the oxygen mask joke stops being a joke.

This isn't a new problem, but it's getting worse faster than anyone expected. The legislation that forced airlines to show final pricing didn't stop the fees, it just moved them one click deeper. What changed is not the cost of flying. What changed is how long it takes you to find it.

Topics: airline hidden fees, airfare add-ons, carry-on bag fees, flight pricing Canada, air travel costs

Originally aired on 2026-03-11

Airline hidden fees have turned flight booking into a guessing game. You find a $168 ticket to Calgary and click through, carry-on selected, one checked bag, and suddenly you're looking at $700. The fare didn't change. You did. And the deal you thought you found was never actually there.
There is a version of flying where the price you see is the price you pay. That version is gone. What's left is a layer cake of basic, standard, and flex options, where bringing a carry-on costs more than the seat beside it, and the flex upgrade that removes your change fee runs another $100 on top. At some point the oxygen mask joke stops being a joke.
This isn't a new problem, but it's getting worse faster than anyone expected. The legislation that forced airlines to show final pricing didn't stop the fees, it just moved them one click deeper. What changed is not the cost of flying. What changed is how long it takes you to find it.
Topics: airline hidden fees, airfare add-ons, carry-on bag fees, flight pricing Canada, air travel costs
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-03-11

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.