From the online news source e-tid.com:
Ryanair and Jet2 agree to be upfront
28 Feb 2011
The Civil Aviation Authority has launched a guide for consumers to help them get the best deal for flights.
It comes as Jet2 and Ryanair have agreed that they will display the full price up-front by 28 April and 1 June 2011 respectively, said the CAA.
The authority has been working with carriers to ensure they display prices clearly and said traditional airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and BMI comply with their obligations to do so.
It added: ‘We welcome the steps taken by easyJet to amend its website at an early stage of the CAA’s work and the changes made by Monarch Airlines, bmibaby and Flybe to display the final, inclusive price at all times.
‘Jet2 and Ryanair have also formally agreed that they will display the full price up-front by 28 April and 1 June 2011 respectively.’
Iain Osborne, CAA group director of regulatory policy, said: ‘The difference between the price holidaymakers might see when they first search for a flight and the lowest price actually available can be £100 or more for a family of four.
‘Consumers should be presented with clear information about the price of their flight throughout the booking process, so they can make fair comparisons between different airlines.
‘Most airlines have changed their websites and adverts to include all unavoidable charges, and Ryanair and Jet2 are committed to doing so by summer.
‘In the meantime holidaymakers should follow our Top Tips for Tickets and be aware that headline prices may not include unavoidable costs in some cases.’
Its Top Tips for Tickets urges customers to ‘always shop around for the best deal and check you are comparing like with like before you book’.
Other tips including checking whether the prices on the screen are the final prices before committing to a booking, and ensuring that ‘you are only paying for things you want – travel insurance, reserving a seat, or hold baggage are common optional extras’.
It suggests members of the public double-check all the details, especially travellers’ names and flight dates, as many airlines charge to change them later.
The CAA said consumers have raised concerns over charges for changing their details, the clarity on pricing of optional extras such as seat booking, and credit card fees and charges, which it will be looking into in the future.