Travel question: How can airlines justify their extortionate extra charges?

Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Jet2 offer the same extras as most other airlines – at a similar cost

(Getty)

Q We’ve booked to fly with Jet2 only to find that some extortionate charges have been applied: luggage for two adults, £120, and extra legroom seats, £106. The total added to my holiday is £226. I think this should be free of charge like it is on British Airways. At the end of the day we’re being ripped off unmercifully as airlines jump on the increasingly profitable bandwagon. Somewhere along the line this has to stop. I think such charges are a major con. How can they possibly be justified?

Rod A

A Ever since easyJet started flying in 1995, charging 50 pence for an inflight cup of tea rather than including hot drinks in the price of a ticket, airlines have progressively introduced fees for items that used to be free.