5th July 2009

Online Cost Calculator to compare the cost Low cost Airlines

The tool enables passengers to select how they wish to travel – whether to check in at the airport or online, choose a seat, put luggage in the hold or opt for drinks or snacks.

It then calculates and compares the respective costs imposed by Ryanair and EasyJet against that of BA's full service.

Among the extra charges on Ryanair are an £80 fee for checking in at the airport for a return flight and a £260 charge for putting a 23kg bag in the hold on a return flight (£58 with easyJet). To book priority boarding on a return flight costs £8 at the airport with Ryanair and £6 online. This service costs from £5.90 with easyJet. All the above are free on BA.

The Air Transport Users' Council (AUC) has welcomed the move, which it believes will help make the true cost of flights easier for passengers to understand.

"Anything that makes the costs of flights with all the added charges more transparent is something we support," said Simon Evans, chief executive of the AUC. "However, we urge passengers to check out the figures for themselves with each airline before making assumptions."

Richard Tams, head of UK and Ireland sales at BA, estimates that passengers can pay up to £375 in extras on return Ryanair flights and up to £79 on easyJet.

"It's been well documented that some of the no-frills carriers charge for a range of 'extras' that we consider to be part of our core service, from checking in a bag to food and drinks on board," he said. "The no-frills carriers claim they are always cheaper. Our calculator shows they are not."

However, the move comes in the same week that Willie Walsh, the chief executive of BA, said he was considering charging for items once included in the ticket in an attempt to increase profits. The airline's pre-tax losses were £401 million last year.

While comparing flight costs take the opportunity to compare airport parking heathrow charges where the bulk of BA routes are based.