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Which? Says Budget AirlinesCabin-Bag ‘From’ Prices Rarely Exist as UK Ad Watchdog Opens Inquiry

Passengers often encounter bag fees far above headline claims, prompting questions over how clearly costs are shown during booking.

Overview

  • Which? reviewed nearly 1,500 fares across easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air and reported that the lowest advertised cabin‑bag prices were available less than one percent of the time.
  • EasyJet’s “from £5.99” cabin‑bag offer was not found on any of 520 checks, with the cheapest observed at £23.49 and an average of £30 each way; the ASA is investigating a complaint based on these findings.
  • Ryanair’s £12 Priority option appeared twice in 634 searches with an average fee of £20.50, while Wizz Air’s lowest stated price (€10–€15) was seen twice in 338 checks with an average of about £28.93.
  • The airlines rejected the research as unrepresentative and said pricing is transparent and varies by route, season and demand, with extras positioned as optional.
  • The dispute comes as ancillary charges generate billions for carriers and follows broader European pressure, including Spanish fines and an EU push to guarantee a standard free cabin bag.