Budget Airline Flight Prices May Quadruple Due to Additional Fees, Which? Reveals
A recent investigation by UK consumer researchers Which? has uncovered that the cost of budget airline flights can increase significantly once cabin bag and seat selection fees are added on. The study found that these added fees make it challenging for passengers to accurately compare the true cost of flying with various airlines.
Which? is now urging the UK government to ensure that airline fees are incorporated into laws that target ‘drip pricing’ – a tactic where charges are incrementally added onto the advertised price. The Digital Markets, Competing and Consumers Act 2024, set to be enforced in April 2025, aims to put an end to drip pricing strategies. However, there is ambiguity regarding whether additional charges beyond essential booking or transaction fees will be covered.
In a snapshot analysis of 15 “ultra-low-cost” flights with carriers like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air, Which? found that Wizz Air tended to charge the most for extras on average. For instance, booking a return flight from London Luton to Lyon initially advertised at £29 per person could soar to £124 per person when opting for Wizz Air’s ‘Wizz Smart’ fare, inclusive of a 10kg bag, a standard seat, and priority boarding.
Ryanair and easyJet also exhibited similar patterns of significantly inflating prices with add-ons. For example, a journey from London Stansted to Nantes that was initially £33 could more than double to £84 by selecting a ‘Regular’ fare with Ryanair, which includes seat selection, a cabin bag and priority boarding. On the other hand, an easyJet flight from Luton to Malaga costing £41 could escalate to £111 upon adding seat selection, a cabin bag and priority boarding.
Which? emphasises that such pricing tactics could substantially escalate the cost of a family holiday by hundreds of pounds. Moreover, they are advocating for a prohibition on charging parents to sit next to their children on flights, as some airlines do not guarantee seating families together unless an additional fee is paid.
Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which?, asserts that the government should mandate transparent disclosure of additional fees for add-ons like seat selection and luggage right from the start of the booking process. This transparency would allow travellers to easily compare the final prices offered by different airlines.
In response to these findings, a spokesperson for Wizz Air defended the airline’s pricing strategy, highlighting that optional add-ons are not mandatory and are offered to provide passengers with affordability. They also mentioned that many customers choose to fly without optional extras to save money.
Similarly, representatives from easyJet and Ryanair emphasised that customers have the flexibility to pay only for the ancillary products they desire without being compelled to opt for add-ons. They reiterated their commitment to providing value for money and ensuring families are seated together whenever possible.
As discussions around regulating airline fees continue, it is crucial for travellers to stay informed about additional charges associated with budget flights. For more travel news and advice, listeners are encouraged to tune in to Simon Calder’s podcast.