A ticket for 10 euros? It sounds like a dream until you click through all the “optional” items and suddenly find your fare is 80 euros. Low-cost airlines are masters at selling a cheap base fare and then making their profit on ancillary fees.
1. 🧳 Luggage Fees: The Biggest Villain
Luggage fees are the primary source of revenue for these companies.
A. Carry-on Luggage (Cabin Bag)
- Base Allowance (Free): Every passenger is entitled to a small personal item/backpack (often only fitting under the seat; dimensions vary, but usually sufficient for a laptop and a few items).
- Charge for Large Cabin Bag (Overhead Bin): If you want to bring a standard cabin bag (which goes into the overhead locker), you must pay extra (often called “Priority” or “2 Cabin Bags”).
| Situation | When the Purchase IS WORTH IT | When the Purchase IS NOT WORTH IT |
| Longer Trip (5+ days) | YES (If you need to pack for a longer period and want to avoid the high cost of checked luggage.) | NO (If you are traveling for a weekend. Learn to travel light with only the under-seat bag.) |
| Luggage Guarantee | YES (You pay for “Priority” which often guarantees your bag will travel with you in the cabin, rather than being checked at the gate for free.) | NO (If you don’t mind the staff possibly checking your bag into the hold for free at the gate.) |
B. Checked Luggage
- Fact: It is always cheaper to pay the fee online when booking your ticket than at the airport (airport fees are commonly 2 to 3 times higher).
2. 🪑 Seat Selection: An Investment in Comfort
Seat selection is typically a charge of $5 – $30.
| Situation | When the Purchase IS WORTH IT | When the Purchase IS NOT WORTH IT |
| Group or Family Travel | YES (If you are traveling with children or a group and want to sit together. The system will otherwise scatter you across the plane to force you to pay.) | NO (If you are traveling solo. The system will eventually seat you in an unoccupied seat, even if next to a stranger.) |
| Comfort | YES (On longer, 4+ hour flights, it pays to purchase seats with extra legroom, e.g., near emergency exits.) | NO (On short, 1–2 hour flights.) |
3. 🎫 Check-in and Boarding Pass Printing Fees
This fee is a trap for the unprepared and can always be avoided.
- Myth: I have to pay to check in at the airport.
- FACT: Low-cost carriers require you to check in online and download the boarding pass to your mobile app or print it at home.
- The Fee: If you fail to do this and request staff to print your ticket/check you in at the airport, the fee can skyrocket to $50 – $70.
CONCLUSION: DO NOT PAY! Never pay for check-in or printing. Always complete the online check-in and save the ticket to your phone.
4. 🚀 Priority and Fast Track: Airport Comfort
These are packages that promise a faster passage through the airport.
- Fast Track (Faster Security Line): Allows you to bypass long queues at security control.
- WHEN TO BUY: When you know you are traveling from a very busy hub during peak time (e.g., London Stansted in the morning) and you have little time for a connection/departure.
- WHEN NOT TO BUY: If you are flying from a small/local airport where queues are short, or if you have plenty of time.
5. 🍔 Food and Beverages Onboard
Everything you receive onboard is charged for.
- The Charge: Water, coffee, sandwiches – everything is expensive.
- CONCLUSION: DO NOT PAY! Buy food at a supermarket before heading to the airport and fill your water bottle (after passing security) at a water fountain or in the restroom.
Summary: If you are traveling solo for a weekend, buy the cheapest ticket, take only a small backpack under the seat, and check in online. Your ticket will remain at the base price level.
