Air fares: Budget flyers lambasted over last-minute fees
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Budget airlines are under fire again for how they advertise their fares.
Consumer group Which? said passengers regularly pay more than the advertised price because of last- minute costs. Airlines are charging extra fees for items that in the past would be included in the price of a ticket, such as luggage check-in. These are adding as much as £28 to fares, Which? added.
Big players like easyJet and Ryanair charge extra for paying by credit card. Ryanair also levies a fee for priority boarding and failing to check in online. In response to the Which? criticism, Ryanair said its charges were easily avoidable.
How airlines advertise fares has long been a bone of contention. The Office of Fair Trading introduced rules that airline taxes and other compulsory fees must be included in the headline price. Which? would like to see this extended to charges for services such as checking in baggage.
But the OFT said it did not object to airlines imposing extra fees provided they were "genuinely optional".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments