Flights Direct

Budget airlines are charging up to £32 extra from passengers for checking-in luggage or using check-in desks, a survey by Which? found.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) says airlines ticket prices must include all compulsory charges in the advertised prices. The prices are not allowed to be misleading.

Ryanair defended itself by saying the extra charges are easily avoidable, and Easyjet said that Which? did not understand the business model of the budget airlines.

Ryanair has the highest extra charges, with a £4 cost of using a check-in desk and £20 for luggage check-in. The airline says this is to get people to travel with just hand luggage and use the online check-in facility.

Considering all possible extra costs, Ryanair can charge £32 (including credit card charges) after final ticket price. Easyjet can charge almost £30 and BMIbaby almost £25.

Monarch and Flybe can charge up to £23 from customers.