THEThe initial price is exactly what they promote. That is to say a low-cost flight price, but the problem is the final cost, which can instead rise, making you spend much more than the price in the window. Just add a few extras, even quite indispensable, such as hand luggage. A survey by Altroconsumo compared 52 flights of the main companies considered “cheap”. The end result is precisely that the initial price, looked at superficially, it does not easily allow to understand which is the most convenient choice.
Low cost flight, how much does it cost me
That said, it’s interesting to know how much the flight price increases. According to the survey up to 545%, the maximum percentage increase found in the investigation by taking a flight with Wizz Air which had an initial price of 14.99 euros. By adding the choice of seat, a trolley in the cabin and a piece of luggage in the hold, the final price of the ticket has risen from 14.99 euros to 81.75 euros. Practically, the extra costs (equal to 66.76 euros) were more than four times the initial price.
The method of inquiry
3 to 6 return flights were selected for each company considered for a total of 52 flights, with departures from Milan and Rome for national and European tourist and holiday destinations such as London, Barcelona, Lampedusa, etc. The low cost airlines examined were easyJet, Ryanair, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.
For each low-cost flight, Altroconsumo followed the purchase process up to payment, thus recording all the cost items that could be added and comparing the initial cost with the final one. The tests were carried out in April 2023. For each route, a round-trip flight was sought at the cheapest possible price between 23 June and 9 July 2023, in order to reproduce the booking for a summer holiday. Then the increase in the price of flights following the selection of additional services was quantified and the structure of the companies’ offer was analysed.
The prices of low cost flights almost never match the final price Altroconsumo explained the reason. (Getty)
What transpired
With all the companies covered by the survey, it only became clear as the buying process progressed that with the price initially quoted Only small hand luggage can be brought on board, i.e. a backpack or purse to be placed under the seat.
However, the most common items for a traveler without special needs are not included. So standard cabin baggage, such as a hat box trolley, choice of seat, airport check-in, modification, cancellation or name change. Each company for these additions apply specific rates for these additionssometimes fixed and sometimes variable depending on the flight, therefore not predictable if the whole selection process is not carried out.
How to save on extra costs
The fact that the fares of low-cost carriers are so fragmented it can also be a good thing because it increases the possibility of choice based on personalized rates. The price is broken down into all its elements and the traveler can only add the services he needs. The problem, according to the survey, lies only in the fact that the advertised price is practically never the final one. So how do travelers who want to choose the cheapest flight do? Altroconsumo also offers useful advice for the user to really save money.
The advice of Altroconsumo
The first is undoubtedly that of do not stop at the initial price. It is always better to delve a little into the purchasing process of the companies of interest, to understand how much you are actually going to pay. So, pay attention to the size of the expected luggage: the costs for oversized suitcases are very high, if in doubt, it is better to buy an extra piece of luggage first, in order not to risk paying the penalty upon boarding.
If you go away for a few days and if you don’t mind traveling “light”, the possibility of bringing only the small piece of luggage included in the price should not be excluded without paying extra for the trolley in the cabin. Definitely better a soft luggage like a bag or a backpack rather than a trolley even very small which would still be complicated to fit under the seat. Other advice could be, if you are two friends or familyto add to the small bags included in the initial price only one trolley in the cabin for both personal belongings.
Finally, in the purchase process on the companies’ websites, attention should be paid to the first screen that appears after selecting the flight which can be seen even without logging in. It almost seems that you have to necessarily choose a package that includes more services, but in reality by continuing to choose the flight, you will be able to select the individual items later, without necessarily having to buy a packageincluding services you are not interested in.
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