7 days ago
Airline with highest hidden fees on flights named – more than Ryanair and easyJet
Airline with highest hidden fees on flights named – more than Ryanair and easyJet
A new study has found that one budget airline charges the highest fees for extras such as baggage and seat selection
There's no better feeling than finding a bargain flight price
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Securing a discounted flight can certainly enhance the joy of holidaying. However, even if you've planned your trip well ahead to ensure cheaper flights, it's likely you'll encounter hidden charges that inflate the overall cost.
Extras, such as baggage allowance, seat selection, and even administrative fees can accumulate, and recent research has discovered that one airline surpasses others in terms of these additional costs. Financial platform Tradingpedia compared the cost of flying from London to Rome on 21st July amongst major European airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling and Jet2.
However, Wizz Air emerged as the priciest overall in terms of hidden charges. Wizz Air topped the chart for hidden charges, with Tradingpedia revealing that the budget airline levied a total of £222.75 for add-ons, reports the Express.
Hidden charges encompass various additional costs ranging from seat selection to fees for altering the name on a booking. While some of these aren't mandatory for boarding the aircraft, others are often unavoidable, particularly if you'd prefer not to wear the same pair of socks throughout your holiday and need to pack a bag.
Wizz Air topped the list for the most hidden fees, according to research
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While Tradingpedia acknowledged that some extra charges aren't necessarily concealed, they also highlighted that they're seldom included in the headline prices advertised for flights, resulting in you paying more than initially expected.
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The hidden charges applied to the Wizz Air flight included:
£39.50 for a checked bag
£9.25 for online booking
£28 for checking in at the airport
According to a report by Euronews, Wizz Air leads the pack in terms of hidden fees, closely followed by Ryanair and Vueling. However, it is worth noting that Wizz Air differentiates itself from its competitors by not charging extra for hand luggage, a factor that can significantly impact the overall cost of a flight.
To illustrate the difference in costs, a flight from London to Rome with Ryanair, including additional services, totals £219.74, with an additional £25 for hand luggage. In comparison, Vueling charges £211, easyJet £207.26, and Jet2 £69.50, although the latter has a £40 fee for checked bags.
Wizz Air charge £39.50 for a checked bag
(Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
Addressing the issue, a Wizz Air spokesperson emphasised the airline's transparent pricing strategy to stating: "We offer a single, simple, and transparent price to our customers, allowing them to explore destinations across our network from as little as £8.99.
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"As an ultra-low-cost carrier, we allow passengers to choose which services they wish to purchase so that we can offer the most affordable travel opportunities."
Airline with hidden fees
