What appears to be a bargain flight on your screen often transforms into a significantly more expensive journey by the time you reach the checkout. The enticingly low headline prices advertised by budget carriers conceal a labyrinth of additional charges that quickly accumulate, turning what seemed like a steal into a substantial expense.
The Art of the Add-On
Modern budget airlines have perfected the business model of unbundling services. The base ticket, often shockingly cheap, covers little more than a seat and the flight itself. Everything else—from the privilege of selecting where you sit to bringing more than a handbag on board—comes at a premium.
Travellers now routinely face extra costs for:
- Checked luggage and even standard cabin bags
- Seat selection, including sitting with family
- Priority boarding to access overhead bins
- Printing boarding passes at the airport
- Payment processing fees
- On-board refreshments and snacks
The Psychological Pricing Game
Airlines employ sophisticated psychological tactics to make these extras seem unavoidable. The fear of being separated from travel companions or the anxiety of having no overhead bin space pushes passengers toward purchasing these add-ons, often negating any initial savings from the cheap base fare.
Reading the Fine Print
Consumer advocates urge travellers to approach budget airline bookings with caution. The true cost of a flight only emerges after navigating through multiple pages of optional extras, each incrementally increasing the final price. What begins as a £29 flight can easily become a £100+ journey once all necessary components are added.
This practice has become so prevalent that many regular flyers now mentally double the advertised price to estimate their actual travel costs, recognising that the initial figure bears little resemblance to what they'll ultimately pay.
