Black Friday Flight Deals Mask Hidden Baggage Fees That Double Costs
A new flight price analysis reveals that ultra-low-cost airline tickets for Black Friday shopping trips can more than double in price once baggage fees are factored in, narrowing the gap with full-service carriers.
As the upcoming Black Friday shopping holiday approaches, many travelers booking short trips to Europe and New York are discovering that cheap airline tickets can double in price once baggage fees are added. According to a comparative analysis by lastminute.co.il of flights for the shopping weekend, round-trip fares to European destinations can drop below $200, but low-cost carriers often charge hefty fees for checked luggage that significantly narrow the price gap with full-service airlines.
Low-cost carriers offer the lowest base fares, with Waze flights to Milan averaging $130 round trip, Bucharest at $149, and Athens at $170. For London, one of the most sought-after shopping destinations, prices range from $250 on Wizz to $604 on El Al Israel Airlines, marking a $354 difference per passenger. In Madrid, the gap is even wider, ranging from $272 on Air Europa to $730 on Iberia, while Barcelona flights vary from $430 on Blue Bird to $875 on Iberia.
The Luggage Trap That Doubles the Price
These base rates exclude checked baggage, a critical factor for shopping trips. According to the analysis, baggage surcharges on airlines that charge separately range between $100 and $210 round trip, averaging about $185. Consequently, a Wizz flight to Milan with a base price of $130 climbs to $310 with luggage, more than doubling the cost. A Bucharest trip on the same carrier starting at $149 reaches $349 with bags, nearly matching El Al Israel Airlines' $345 fare for the same route, which includes baggage in the ticket price.
Assaf Greenberg, VP of Marketing at lastminute.co.il, noted:
«Price discrepancies between airlines can reach hundreds of dollars, making it essential to compare not just the ticket price, but also baggage fees, especially when planning to return with bags full of purchases.»
New York: Saving with a Layover
New York remains a prime destination for Black Friday shopping, though transatlantic flights command higher rates. Travelers willing to take a connecting flight can secure substantial savings, with ITA Airways offering round-trip itineraries via Rome starting at $745, including baggage. In comparison, direct flights start at $885 with United Airlines and $1,030 with El Al Israel Airlines, allowing layover passengers to save $140 compared to United and $285 compared to El Al Israel Airlines. These savings, however, come at the cost of additional travel time, with Rome layovers lasting between two and six hours and total journey times stretching from 13 to 20 hours.
