CAA publishes airline fee comparison table
The Civil Aviation Authority has published a table listing the charges levied by the top airlines to make it easier for passengers to work out how much extra they will have to pay for services such as baggage check in and in-flight meals.
The price comparison document, published to coincide with the peak booking season, includes everything from the cost of reserving a specific seat to checking- in sport equipment and arranging for text confirmations.
The CAA said it was designed to ensure passengers have all the information they need to choose the best flight.
Chief executive Andrew Haines said: "Our table allows passengers to easily compare the optional fees that airlines charge and it’s important to consider those charges alongside the ticket price and the extra charges that could be applied before making their booking."
Transport secretary Justine Greening added: "Consumers want to know that the price on the label is what they’ll end up paying. But many air tickets seem to come with unexpected charges for everything from choosing a seat to just ‘booking’ the ticket.
"I hope this new information from the CAA will help, which is why we are legislating to give the CAA even more powers to ensure transparency for consumers. Ultimately, however, it’s time that airlines were far clearer cut with passengers about these add-on charges in the first place."
The fees and charges comparison table is part of a series of resources being made available to help UK consumers through the 2012 peak holiday booking season, said the CAA.
This also includes the online Passenger Portal – a one stop shop of information and advice for consumers to use before they book, ahead of their departure and after they return should they experience any problems during their travel.
As part of this, the CAA will shortly publish further advice and guidance for consumers on what to look out for in booking terms and conditions.
The aviation authority said it had also worked to ensure all airlines operating in the UK now comply with their obligation to display clearly all unavoidable fees, taxes and charges upfront in their booking processes.
The price comparison table is available at http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?pageid=12677
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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