How can I avoid baggage charges?

Q I’ve just been trying to book flights in the summer from London to Toronto via Skyscanner. It appears that all the airlines on this route now charge extra for checked baggage. But unless I’m misreading things it seems that each website selling the air tickets charges a different amount for the baggage, ranging from £35 to £85 per bag per flight, on the basis of my researches so far. What’s more, some websites won’t tell you what the baggage charges are until you have paid for the tickets. Am I going about this the wrong way?

John B

A The process of charging extra for elements that were previously free began in 2006 when Flybe announced revolutionary plans to separate out checked baggage; the fee for a case began at £2, which is now a very distant memory. “Disaggregation” is moving swiftly through the airline industry.

Many airlines, including British Airways and Air Canada, offer a “basic economy” product that strips away perceived benefits such as early boarding and, more significantly, the baggage allowance.

Skyscanner, which provides an excellent service in providing a snapshot of air fares for virtually any route on the world, warns: “Some airlines/agents will apply additional fees for baggage.”

Airlines set the fees for passengers who book direct, typically at £40 for the first bag. But agents may add their own margin. As you have found, not all online travel agents are entirely upfront about baggage charges; it would be reckless to book with an agent that won’t reveal its charges

So I urge you to opt for either Air Canada or British Airways, which both have remarkably generous cabin-baggage policies, meaning you need not pay a bean for luggage.

Both airlines allow passengers to take two pieces of luggage. On BA the limit for the larger one is 56x45x25cm (a volume of 63 litres, which should be more than enough) and for Air Canada, 55x23x40 (51 litres). Each also allows a smaller item, with a capacity of 18 litres.

The weight limit is also very accommodating: 23kg per piece on British Airways, with Air Canada saying only: “Your carry-on baggage must be light enough that you can store it in the overhead bin unassisted.”

Exploiting these allowances to the full gives you an immediate advantage – and also means you don’t need to fret about the extras that agents and airlines add.

Just remember the liquids and sharps rules apply at airport security.

Every day our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder