Consumer watchdog Which? warns ‘low cost’ airlines can be more expensive

AIRLINES that boast about low prices can be more expensive than their rivals when extra costs are added to headline fares, according to a new study.

British Airways was cheaper than Ryanair and Wizz Air on two out of three routes analysed.

Researchers conducted a snapshot price analysis for the cheapest return flights from London airports to Malaga, Athens and Naples with Ryanair, Wizz Air, British Airways, Jet2 and easyjet booked in December 2023 for travel on weekends this month.

They included the price of taking a cabin bag as hand luggage.

The cost of seat selection was added for Ryanair and Wizz Air, as a previous survey indicated they are the airlines least likely to automatically seat travel companions together.

The study found that while budget airlines often had the cheapest headline fares, Ryanair and Wizz Air failed to return the lowest price on any occasion when the cost of a cabin bag and seat selection – always included in British Airways and Jet2 fares – were taken into account.

British Airways was found to have the lowest total price for Naples flights, at £120.

That compares with £198 with Jet2, £185 with Wizz Air, £132 with Ryanair and £126 with easyjet.

British Airways was the second cheapest airline, behind easyjet, for Malaga flights, but the most expensive for trips to Athens.

Baggage and seat selection accounted for an average of £113 across the three routes with Wizz Air, £57 with Ryanair and £52 with easyjet. Wizz Air’s cabin bag fee includes priority boarding.

Unavoidable hidden charges for online consumers – or “drip pricing” – is to be banned under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill progressing through Parliament.

Optional extras are not included in the legislation, but Which? believes fees for seat selection on flights should be covered.

Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: “It’s easy to assume that budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air are always the cheapest option. But if you want to sit next to your kids or take more than a few items of clothes with you, then you’ll increasingly find better prices elsewhere.”

A Ryanair spokesman said: “This is more fake news from Which?.”