Air Canada announced Friday that it will start charging a fee for checking even one bag on flights to the U.S., a move which the director of a public interest group says stems from the lack of a standardized set of basic airline services.

The new fee charges $25 for the first checked bag, a service currently offered free of charge. The fee for the second bag is $35, an increase of $5.

Michael Jangin, the executive director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, said that because there is not definition of what constitutes basic service on an airline, they can continue to make cuts to services – such as the elimination of free meals and blankets.

"Airlines have been able to get away, from the time they advertise their price to the time the service is enjoyed, with charging a whole range of extra fees," Jangin told CTV News Channel on Friday.

He said that Transport Canada should take some responsibility in the new charges and the lack of airline standardization.

"A long time ago they should have set standards for basic service for passengers, what they have a right to expect, what the airline has to provide and what is included in the ticket price," he said.

"Right now, for example, if you look at airline advertising, it's not clear at all what you're going to be paying as the bottom line."

A new $70 charge for second bags on some international flights was also announced. The first bag remains free of charge.

Even luggage checked for an infant will be charged the new fee, but for babies travelling on adults' laps one car seat and one stroller is allowed at no cost.

"Everyone understands that airlines are under tremendous cost pressures and I think they can appreciate that we need to take some steps to ensure our financial sustainability," spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick said Friday.

The new charges apply for tickets issued next Wednesday for travel on or after Oct. 11.

Jangin said consumers upset about the new fees should vote with their wallets.

"They can choose other modes of travel, for example Via Rail, or they can shop around with other airlines," he said.

WestJet Airlines doesn't charge for first bags on any flight but a $20 fee applies for second bags and there's a $50 fee for additional bags.

Porter Airlines charges $20 for a second checked bag on flights in Canada and to the U.S.

Most U.S. carriers charge $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second on flights to Canada.

With files from The Canadian Press