Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Jet2, British Airways, Norwegian are on the List of Airlines as Fees are Soaring, What American and Canadian Traveler Needs to Know Before Booking a Budget Flight to Europe – Travel And Tour World

Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Jet2, British Airways, and Norwegian are now on the radar for travelers, as airline fees are soaring across Europe. For every American and Canadian traveler dreaming of an affordable getaway, these names might sound like budget-friendly lifelines—but there’s a catch.

Behind the promise of low fares lies a maze of hidden charges that could turn your “cheap” flight into a costly surprise. From carry-on baggage fees to unexpected check-in costs, what you think you’re paying isn’t always what you’ll pay.

What American and Canadian traveler needs to know is simple but urgent: the budget isn’t in the headline fare—it’s buried in the fine print.

So, before you click “book” on that €19 deal, pause. This new wave of add-ons can catch you off guard. Here’s the truth about what it really costs to fly with Europe’s so-called low-cost airlines.

Hidden Airline Fees Are Soaring: What Every Traveler Needs to Know Before Booking a ‘Budget’ Flight in Europe

Flying on a budget? Think again.
What appears to be a low-cost airline ticket in Europe could end up costing you double—or more—once hidden fees kick in. From carry-on baggage charges to rescue fees and infant surcharges, travelers are discovering that so-called optional extras are often anything but optional.

A new report from Tradingpedia has peeled back the curtain on the true cost of budget air travel, exposing a pricing system that confuses, misleads, and in many cases, traps consumers into spending far more than expected.

Budget Airfare? Only at First Glance

On the surface, flying with budget airlines like Wizz Air, Ryanair, or easyJet seems wallet-friendly. Promoted fares advertise jaw-droppingly low prices—sometimes under €20. But by the time you reach checkout, the cost has ballooned.

You may be paying for your carry-on, for the privilege of choosing your seat, and even for simply checking in online. The fees are rolled out one screen at a time, never upfront, never simple. And once you’ve invested time and money into the booking, turning back feels impossible.

This is not just frustrating—it’s strategic.

Wizz Air Tops the Hidden Fee Chart

According to Tradingpedia’s findings, Wizz Air currently leads the pack with the highest total add-on fees, averaging a staggering £207.93 (€245) per ticket. These surcharges include:

• €100 for checked baggage
• €10 for online booking fees
• €21.50 for online or airport check-in

While Wizz Air doesn’t charge extra for carry-on bags, the rest of the charges stack up quickly. And for many travelers, these “extras” are simply part of flying.

Ryanair and easyJet Follow Close Behind

Ryanair, notorious for its no-frills model, clocks in with nearly £198.58 (€234) in added costs—including €25 for hand luggage. It also imposes payment card fees, so your total can rise depending on how you pay.

easyJet comes next, averaging £180.48 (€213) in additional fees. Travelers are often hit with high group booking charges—as much as €25 per person—even when traveling with family.

All these charges creep in quietly during the booking process. You won’t see them splashed across ads or fare listings, and by the time they appear, you’re already halfway through your booking.

Even Infants Aren’t Spared

Shockingly, even infants—who don’t occupy a seat—carry mandatory fees. For example:

• Wizz Air: €32
• easyJet: €31
• Jet2: €23.50
• Norwegian: 10% of the adult fare plus taxes

Parents traveling with young children often assume infants fly free. But these hidden charges prove otherwise.

Rescue Fees: A Last-Ditch Cost No One Sees Coming

If you arrive just a few minutes too late for your flight, you’re not just rebooking—you’re paying a rescue fee. These fees are quietly listed on airline policies but rarely emphasized. The cost? Eye-watering:

• Ryanair: €100
• easyJet: €130
• Vueling: €105 and up
• Wizz Air: €80
• Jet2: €32

And some airlines don’t even clearly publish these fees, forcing desperate passengers to pay or forfeit their journey altogether.

British Airways and Norwegian: The Budget Exception?

Interestingly, British Airways emerged with the lowest additional fees, averaging just £64 (€75). Norwegian follows closely with £71.53 (€84), making them standouts for transparency and fairness.

Their pricing structures are closer to traditional full-service models, where what you see is much closer to what you actually pay. As a result, travelers may end up saving money with full-service carriers despite higher base fares.

Consumer Advocates Call for EU Intervention

With airline pricing growing more convoluted, consumer organizations across Europe are calling for change. Last month, several groups petitioned the European Commission to launch a formal investigation into unfair hand luggage fees and non-transparent pricing.

They argue that hidden costs undermine price comparison, confuse consumers, and create a distorted market where real prices remain buried under layers of checkboxes and upsell screens.

For travelers, this creates stress and dissatisfaction. For regulators, it signals a wider issue—one that may demand new policy frameworks to ensure transparency and fairness in how airlines advertise and charge for their services.

The Bigger Picture: Are Budget Airlines Really Cheaper?

With airfares expected to rise by 2.8% this year due to fuel prices, inflation, and sustainability targets, the pressure to find affordable flights is growing. But this latest report raises a critical question:

Are low-cost airlines still truly low cost?

Once you factor in the extras—many of which are unavoidable—the total cost of a “budget” flight can rival, or even exceed, the price of a full-service ticket.

Travelers are starting to rethink how they book. Rather than chasing the cheapest headline fare, many now look for total value—factoring in all possible fees, flexibility, and convenience. That shift could upend the dominance of ultra-low-cost carriers unless they adapt.

Conclusion: Transparency, Not Just Price, Will Define Airline Trust

As hidden airline fees mount and consumer frustration grows, the industry stands at a crossroads. Travelers are not just searching for low fares—they want honesty, simplicity, and value.

The illusion of affordability may no longer be enough. In a world where every euro counts, trust could become the ultimate currency.