Budget Airlines’ Cabin Bag Prices Often Misleading, Study Reveals

A recent analysis has uncovered that budget airlines often do not offer their lowest advertised prices for cabin bags, raising concerns about transparency in their pricing strategies. The consumer group Which? conducted a study examining nearly 1,500 flights across three major carriers: easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. The findings suggest that passengers may face significantly higher costs than expected when attempting to travel with a cabin bag.

The analysis included flights on eight popular routes for each airline, covering both peak and off-peak travel periods. According to Which?, easyJet claims to charge “from £5.99” for a cabin bag. However, the organization found no instances of this fare among the 520 flights it examined. Instead, the lowest price discovered was £23.49, with an average fee of £30 per flight.

Ryanair’s advertised lowest cabin bag rate of £12 was similarly elusive. The analysis revealed that this price was only available on two out of 634 flights studied. For Wizz Air, the lowest stated price of 15 euros (£13.11) was recorded just twice across 338 flights. The average fees for Ryanair and Wizz Air were found to be £20.50 and £28.93, respectively.

Which? emphasized the importance of cabin bags for many passengers, stating that the failure of these airlines to provide clear and accurate pricing means consumers are often unaware of the true cost until they have navigated multiple stages of the booking process. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, remarked, “Our research shows that the tens of millions of passengers who need to take a cabin bag will pay much more than the cheapest price advertised. Rather than a few pounds, prices for bags can often be more than the flight itself.”

Boland further criticized the tactics employed by these airlines, asserting that they deserve scrutiny. “That’s why we have shared our findings with the regulator,” he added, referring to the Advertising Standards Authority.

In response to the findings, a spokesperson for easyJet defended the airline’s pricing structure, asserting that its bag options are “transparent and well understood by our customers.” They emphasized that passengers have the choice to “pay for only what they want.”

Ryanair challenged the analysis, claiming that the number of flights examined was “too small to be representative or accurate.” The airline reiterated that its cabin bag prices are “transparent and optional.” Additionally, in August 2023, Ryanair announced plans to increase bonuses for staff who identify passengers attempting to take oversized bags on flights, raising the incentive from 1.50 euros (£1.31) to 2.50 euros (£2.18) per bag. CEO Michael O’Leary defended this approach, stating he made “absolutely no apology” for enforcing such policies.

A spokesperson for Wizz Air noted that its prices can vary based on route, season, and demand, asserting that the airline is “fully compliant with consumer protection laws.”

As scrutiny around airline pricing practices continues, consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant and informed about the true costs of travel, particularly when it comes to essential services like cabin baggage.