I booked 5 FR flights recently:
EMA-BHD: £10.99 all-in.
BRS-DUB-BRS: £22.20 all-in.
STN-SNN-STN: £2.42 all-in.
I only ever have hand luggage; I always check-in online; I always pay by debit card; etc.
Easy.
I can see why some people - primarily families - have to check in luggage. Fair enough. But they could still take less - perhaps 2 or 3 checked bags rather than 4 for a family of 4 - so as to spend less. Exactly as my colleague does.