New 'bundle fee' will sting airline passengers and Ryanair is already using it

Airlines are introducing bundles to include all of the hidden fees in one go, airline experts and aviation champions have warned.

Airline passengers are now being stung by 'bundled fees' as more and more become aware of "hidden" costs. Airlines are introducing bundles to include all of the hidden fees in one go, airline experts and aviation champions have warned.

Along with seat reservations, some bundles include lounge access, food and even travel insurance. Airline consultant John Strickland told the Telegraph : "One of the current trends is ‘bundling’. [This is where] where airlines package together different perks – seat choice, extra baggage, speedy check-in – for a single price."

Ryanair offer five 'fare bundle options'. This includes the cheapest Basic Fare, along with Regular Fare, Fare Plus and Family Plus, to Flexi Plus. Wizz Air are similar, with their cheapest Base Fare, going up to Wizz Go, Wizz Plus and Wizz Smart.

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Beth Walter, a business communication professor from Carnegie Mellon University, told the Seattle Times newspaper across the pond: "A big factor in consumers losing their tempers is the feeling that they are getting nickel and dimed at every turn.

"No one likes hidden fees, and if they pop up during trips they can easily trigger the temper of a stressed-out, exhausted traveller who has been preparing for their summer vacation since last year and is expecting that everything goes according to plan."

Luggage rules for major airlines include, for British Airways Cabin Baggage, 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and 1 personal item (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm), total weight up to 23 kg, and for Checked Baggage, Economy allows 1 bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy, Business, and First Class allow more.

EasyJet allows Cabin Baggage of 1 small cabin bag (max 45 x 36 x 20 cm), no weight limit but must fit under the seat and Checked Baggage of fees apply, up to 23 kg per bag. Passengers can pay for additional weight up to 32 kg. Ryanair allows Cabin Baggage of 1 small bag (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm). Priority boarding allows an additional larger cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg).

It also allows Checked Baggage but says fees apply, options for 10 kg or 20 kg bags.