While low-cost carriers may seem attractive, the reality is often more complicated, according to the study.
It’s no secret that budget airlines manage to keep ticket prices lower by offering a variety of additional fees that are not included in the initial price, ranging from seat selection fees to baggage fees.
A recent study by Tradingpedia has identified the European airlines with the highest hidden fees in 2025.
“The booking process remains complicated, especially due to the growing number of additional fees charged by airlines for services that were once standard, from seat selection to name correction,” the study authors stated.
At the same time, they warned that according to forecasts, airfare prices will continue to rise this year, and low-cost carriers will not always help you save money.
“While low-cost carriers may seem like a relief, the reality is often more complex. In this report, the Tradingpedia team explores the true cost of flying in 2025 by analyzing base fares and the full range of hidden and additional fees charged by major European airlines. The results shed light on whether low-cost carriers are truly cost-effective or simply perceived as such,” the report states.
Although most airlines show passengers all possible additional charges during the booking process, the final ticket price is still revealed at the end of the travel document, according to the study authors.
Baggage fees
Budget airlines usually charge fees for any baggage that exceeds a small bag that can fit under the front seat, so passengers should check the exact amount they will need to pay before booking if they want to bring more baggage, according to the report.
For example, Ryanair allows you to take only one small bag (40 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm) for free, while additional baggage costs between £6 (approximately €7), depending on its size and the time of purchase (either at the time of booking or closer to the departure date).
Seat selection fee
Choosing a seat, as well as choosing extra legroom, more space, or front seats, usually comes with an additional charge. It is also common to pay extra for the opportunity to sit next to your travel companions. The only exception is made for young children, as companies always try to place them near at least one adult in their group.
Online booking and registration fees
A few years ago, many airlines charged an administrative fee when booking a flight, but now there is almost no fee – only airport booking fees are charged.
However, Wizz Air still requires passengers to pay an administrative fee (£7-11.50, or €8-13.50) for booking through the website, mobile app, call center, and at the airport. There is also still a system fee on their website, although the airline representative assured the researchers that it is in the process of being removed as it is no longer being charged.
Meanwhile, Ryanair does not charge for online bookings, but any booking made at the airport is subject to a substantial fee of £50 (approximately €60).
Other fees that may be hidden
Usually, the services that passengers pay extra for are optional, such as extra legroom or extra checked baggage. Of course, you will also have to pay extra for meals on board, car reservations, and so on. However, in some cases, passengers have no choice but to purchase these “optional” services.
One of them is the administrative fee for a group, which is £8.93 (about €10) if you fly with Wizz Air, but easyJet charges £20 (about €23 per person) for group bookings.
Additionally, Ryanair has a card processing fee, so you may be charged a percentage of the total transaction amount if you pay with a credit or debit card.Advertisementad
Passengers with infants (under 2 years old at the time of the flight) do not need to purchase a ticket, but there is a mandatory fee. Wizz Air charges £27.22 (approximately €33), while easyJet or Ryanair charge £25 (approximately €29), and Jet2 charges £20 (approximately €23). Norwegian, meanwhile, offers children’s tickets at 10% of the adult fare plus any airport fees, while Vueling charges a children’s fee that ranges from £13.33 to £137.82 (approximately €15-€160), depending on the adult fare, destination, and flight date.
Another hidden fee is the so-called “rescue fee” charged by some airlines when a passenger is late for a flight. If a traveler arrives at the airport just before or shortly after takeoff, they may be required to pay a rescue fee in order to be accommodated on the next available flight. EasyJet charges £110 (about €130 per person), Wizz Air charges £106 (about €125), and Ryanair charges £100 (about €117). Vueling’s rescue fee is the cheapest at £96.45 (about €113).
“Of course, there are many other fees that can be charged to you in addition to the actual cost of the ticket, so you need to make sure that you know all of the carrier’s policies regarding baggage, flight cancellations, or traveling with children, to name a few,” the authors of the study concluded.Advertisementad
Airlines with the highest hidden fees in 2025
The anti-rating was led by the Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air, whose passengers will have to pay an additional £222.75 (about €261) if they want to use all the additional services.
This is followed by Ryanair from Ireland, which offers an additional £219.74 (approximately €258) for optional upgrades.
However, the highest surcharge for the second piece of hand luggage is from the Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling – £39.42 (about €46), which took third place in the overall ranking – £211.77 (about €248) of likely surcharges. Also, this carrier has the highest fee for one piece of checked baggage – £65.42 (about €77).
Norwegian passengers pay the most for choosing their seats, at £31.03 (about €36).
