EasyJet has been instructed to refrain from advertising carry-on baggage fees starting “from £5.99” as the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) determined that this pricing information was deceptive to travelers. The ASA stated that there was insufficient proof that the £5.99 price was applicable across various flight routes and dates, leading easyJet to discontinue the usage of this phrase.
Additionally, easyJet must ensure that the “from” price for large cabin bags represents the lowest cost across a significant portion of its flights in the future. Despite easyJet arguing that their advertised price was accurate and valid for multiple routes, they acknowledged that pricing could fluctuate based on factors such as availability, demand, and operational expenses. The airline assured that the actual price for each booking would be transparently displayed before finalizing the purchase.
The ASA’s ruling stemmed from a study conducted by consumer group Which? which revealed that the cost for adding a large cabin bag exceeded £5.99 on all 520 analyzed easyJet flights. The lowest price observed was £23.49, with an average price of £30. Rory Boland, the editor of Which? Travel, criticized airlines for employing low headline fares and subsequently charging significantly higher prices for standard cabin bags. Boland advised customers to consider airlines without cabin bag add-ons as a potentially more cost-effective option.
In response, easyJet stated, “We always aim to provide clear information to our customers on pricing,” emphasizing their commitment to transparency. Following the ASA’s feedback, easyJet made adjustments to ensure clarity in conveying fee and charge information to consumers.
By opting for Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News, users can conveniently access their preferred news content.