That ‘cheap’ airfare might not be so cheap after all. A new study exposes the airlines charging sky-high fees for baggage and seat selection.

Australian travellers are being hit with steep hidden airline fees, with some carriers charging up to 66 per cent more than the original ticket price for basic add-ons like baggage and seat selection, a new study has revealed.

The research, conducted by Australian-based luggage brand Kadi Luggage, found that Malaysia Airlines topped the list for the highest additional charges, significantly inflating the cost of flights for unsuspecting travellers. In contrast, Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways and Air New Zealand emerged as the most transparent.

Airlines with the biggest extra charges

The study examined flight prices for round trips on similar routes between 6000 and 8000 kilometres by Australia’s 10 most popular airlines, assessing how much passengers were charged for a standard 20-kilogram checked bag, a seven-kilogram cabin bag and seat selection. The research revealed that Malaysia Airlines charged up to 66 per cent more than the initial flight price once these extras were added, making it the most expensive airline for additional fees.

Low-cost carriers Scoot and Jetstar also ranked high on the list of fee-heavy airlines, with extra baggage and seat selection pushing total costs more than 30 per cent higher than the advertised ticket price.

Checked baggage or checked wallet?

Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Emirates all have checked luggage included in the standard fare. By comparison, Malaysia Airlines checked baggage allowance was 10 kilograms, but to receive a standard 20-kilogram checked baggage allowance, travellers would need to fork out a whopping 60 per cent of the flight cost for the extra 10 kilograms.

Scoot includes no checked baggage in its economy tickets unless passengers pay extra or upgrade to the premium ScootPlus fare, and for a 20-kilogram checked bag on Jetstar, you’ll need to add 25 per cent onto the ticket price.

The price of picking your perch

The study also found significant variations in seat selection charges across airlines. Cathay Pacific had the highest fees for choosing a seat, with an additional cost of nearly 12 per cent of the original ticket price. Qantas was the second highest, charging just under eight per cent of the fare for seat selection.

On the other end of the spectrum, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia did not charge extra for seat selection, offering a more budget-friendly experience for travellers.

Travellers are warned to watch for hidden costs

Kadi Luggage co-founder Harry Saunders cautioned travellers to be aware of these additional fees when booking flights, as the true cost of travel can rise substantially once add-ons are factored in.

“This data highlights that whilst airlines may present an initially great deal, once you factor in the additional charges for services like extra luggage allowance and seat selection, the cost of your ticket can substantially increase," Saunders said.

Travellers looking to avoid bill shock at checkout should consider airlines with minimal extra costs, such as Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways and Air New Zealand, which keep their pricing structures more straightforward. Meanwhile, those flying with Malaysia Airlines, Scoot or Jetstar should be prepared for a significantly higher total cost than the original fare suggests.

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