British Airways Cheaper Than Budget Airlines on London Routes, Study Finds

A recent study by consumer group Which? has revealed that British Airways was cheaper than budget airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air on two out of three London routes analyzed in December 2023. The study, which included the cost of cabin bags and seat selection, challenges the assumption that budget airlines are always the most affordable option for travelers.

While budget airlines often boast the cheapest headline fares, the study found that Ryanair and Wizz Air failed to return the lowest total price when additional fees for baggage and seat selection were taken into account. British Airways had the lowest total price for flights from London to Naples at £120, compared to £198 with Jet2, £185 with Wizz Air, £132 with Ryanair, and £126 with easyJet.

Why this matters: The findings highlight the importance of considering the true cost of flights, including extras like cabin bags and seat selection, when booking travel. The study also raises questions about the transparency of airline pricing and the potential impact of upcoming legislation aimed at banning 'drip pricing' of unavoidable hidden charges.

For flights from London to Malaga, British Airways was the second cheapest option behind easyJet. However, the airline was the most expensive for trips to Athens. The study found that baggage and seat selection costs an average of £113 with Wizz Air, £57 with Ryanair, and £52 with easyJet across the three routes.

Both Ryanair and Wizz Air disputed the findings, with Ryanair calling the study "fake news" and Wizz Air stating that their optional add-ons are not required to fly. The airlines argued that their additional services are optional and allow them to offer the most affordable travel opportunities to customers.

The upcoming Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill in the UK may ban the 'drip pricing' of unavoidable hidden charges, but it remains unclear if optional extras like seat selection will be covered under the new legislation. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, stated, "It's clear that 'extras' like seat selection have become a big part of airlines' revenue. These need to be clearly displayed as part of the total ticket price at the start of the booking process so that consumers can compare prices easily and avoid being misled."

Key Takeaways

• British Airways was cheaper than Ryanair and Wizz Air on 2 of 3 London routes in Dec 2023.
• Budget airlines' additional fees for baggage and seat selection can make them more expensive.
• Upcoming UK legislation may ban 'drip pricing' of hidden charges, but optional extras' status unclear.
• Ryanair and Wizz Air disputed the study's findings, arguing their add-ons are optional.
• Experts call for total ticket prices, including extras, to be clearly displayed during booking.