Ryanair Criticised for Ticket Pricing That Makes Identical Flights 'More Expensive'
Ryanair, the budget airline renowned for its array of additional charges for services like allocated seating, extra legroom, and luggage, is facing fresh scrutiny over its fare structure. The consumer champion Which? has highlighted a particular pricing anomaly where travellers are potentially paying more than necessary for identical flight experiences.
The Pricing Discrepancy Uncovered
When booking a flight from London to Alicante for a family of four on Ryanair's website, Which? was presented with the option to upgrade from a 'Basic' fare to a 'Regular' ticket. The 'Regular' fare includes benefits such as priority boarding, carry-on luggage, and seat selection. However, upon conducting a detailed comparison, Which? discovered that choosing the 'Regular' fare was frequently more expensive than selecting the 'Basic' option and adding those same extras individually.
This investigation builds upon previous research conducted by Which? in April 2025, with the consumer group repeating its tests in February 2026. Analysing 15 flights to various destinations, Which? found that only once was the 'Regular' ticket cheaper, even when all the extras were desired. On seven occasions, it was actually more expensive, sometimes by just a pound or so, but in other instances by significantly more.
Specific Examples of Price Differences
The analysis revealed concrete examples where customers are paying a premium for bundled fares:
- A flight from Stansted to Alicante cost £61 more when selecting the 'Regular' fare compared to the 'Basic' fare with identical extras added separately.
- A Manchester to Marrakesh route showed a £45.50 increase for the bundled option.
- On a summer Stansted to Malaga route checked in February 2026, a family of four could save £35 by choosing 'Basic' and adding extras separately. If the family required less luggage, the savings would be even greater.
Which? has conducted approximately 30 similar checks over the past two years, and the issue is not limited to the 'Regular' fare. The 'Plus Fare', which includes a 20kg checked suitcase, exhibited the same pricing discrepancy, mirroring findings from the 2025 investigation.
Is Seat Selection Worth the Cost?
In related research, Which? surveyed travellers who had not paid for seat selection across various airlines to determine if they were still seated next to their companions. The results indicated that more than 90% of people were seated with their loved ones without paying extra. For Ryanair specifically, this figure was 62%, suggesting that while there is no guarantee, passengers have a reasonable chance of sitting together without the additional fee. This could represent a saving of around £10 per person, making it a potential risk worth taking for budget-conscious travellers.
Independent Verification and Ryanair's Response
Metro conducted its own tests to verify Which?'s claims. A return flight from Stansted to Ibiza in June was priced at £325.39 for a 'Basic' fare, while the 'Regular' fare was £395.89. Adding the extras separately to the 'Basic' fare resulted in the same total of £395.89, indicating no saving in this instance. Similarly, a last-minute Stansted to Ibiza flight in March showed identical pricing between the 'Regular' fare and the 'Basic' fare with extras added, both at £104.46. A single flight from Stansted to Dalaman also showed no difference, priced at £75.49 regardless of the booking method.
When Which? presented its findings to Ryanair in April 2025, the airline firmly rejected the claims. Ryanair stated, 'Your claim that it is "cheaper" to book the basic fare and then add the same extras than to book Ryanair's bundles is false. It is never cheaper.' The airline explained that its bundles are dynamically priced using the cheapest available fare at the time of booking, making them the same price as the underlying airfare plus extras if booked separately. Ryanair added, 'As usual, this Which? report is false and inaccurate. Although since almost nobody reads Which?, and certainly nobody pays attention to your advice, we won't either.'
Upon being approached again in February 2026, Ryanair reiterated its previous response, dismissing the findings as 'more fake news from Which' and highlighting its passenger growth from 200 million to 208 million in 2025 as evidence of customer satisfaction.
Expert Commentary and Traveller Tips
Metro's travel expert, Chelsea Dickenson, shared her experience with Ryanair's baggage policies, noting the airline's infamous 'cage of doom' bag sizer that has led to many travellers facing on-the-spot fees of £46 to £60. She recommended budget-friendly alternatives, such as a £25 Primark underseat suitcase, to avoid extra charges. Her advice underscores a broader strategy for travellers seeking to minimise costs when flying with budget airlines.
This ongoing debate highlights the complexities of airline pricing and the importance for consumers to carefully compare options before booking. With Ryanair maintaining its position and Which? standing by its research, passengers are left to navigate these fare structures to secure the best possible deal for their travel needs.
