Ryanair's Promoted Fare Bundles Often More Expensive Than Basic Options
Ryanair, renowned for its bargain fares to global destinations, may not always offer the best value when customers opt for its promoted fare bundles. New research conducted by consumer champion Which? has uncovered that families can frequently save significant amounts by booking Basic tickets and adding extras separately, rather than selecting the airline's Regular or Plus fare packages.
Detailed Analysis of Family Bookings
Which? experts meticulously examined Ryanair's online booking process by analysing flights from London to Alicante in August for a family of four. During their investigation, they encountered a banner promoting the 'Regular' fare as 'ideal for your trip.' This upgraded option includes priority boarding, carry-on luggage, and free standard seat selection. However, the research determined that choosing the Regular ticket would cost £59 more than booking a Basic fare and purchasing the same baggage allowance and seat selection separately.
Furthermore, the study revealed that if the four passengers travelled with just four cabin bags instead of the eight included in the Regular fare, they could save a substantial £163. Across fifteen different flights analysed by Which? this month, only one proved cheaper with the promoted fare. In fact, the promoted option came out more expensive on seven separate occasions.
Significant Savings for Families with Children
Some of the most notable savings emerged when examining bookings for families with children. For instance, a trip from Stansted to Alicante for a family of four was £61 more expensive if holidaymakers selected the Regular fare over Basic, despite both options providing identical priority boarding, cabin bags, and seat selection.
Which? also advises consumers to disregard Ryanair's Plus fare option, which bundles a 20kg suitcase and seat selection. When booking a flight from Stansted to Malaga, researchers found the Basic fare totalled £835. Adding four 20kg suitcases at £334 and seat selection at £39 brought the complete cost to £1,208. In contrast, the Plus fare alone amounted to £1,243, making it £35 cheaper for a family of four to stick with Basic and purchase the add-ons separately.
Ryanair's Response and Further Findings
When questioned by Which? in April 2025, Ryanair denied that purchasing the Basic fare and adding extras separately was cheaper than opting for Regular or Plus fares. The airline reiterated this stance in February 2026, stating it had no further comment and that its response remained 'exactly the same now as it was on April 14 last year.'
Ryanair asserted: 'The claim is that it is "cheaper" to book the Basic fare and then add the same extras than to book Ryanair's bundles. It is never cheaper. The Ryanair bundles are a facility, which make it easier for passengers to buy and book the bundles. They are however dynamically priced, using the cheapest available fare at time of booking, and so the Ryanair bundles are the same price as the underlying air fare, plus the extras if booked separately.'
Additional Fare Options Examined
The investigation also scrutinised Ryanair's Flexi Plus fare, which offers free flight changes, extra-legroom seats, fast track security, and two cabin bags. For a trip from London to Alicante, this bundle cost an additional £354, whereas purchasing all the extras except the free flight change came to just £186. Which? argues the Flexi Plus is only worthwhile if passengers specifically require flight change flexibility alongside all the other extras.
Similarly, Ryanair's Family Plus option was recommended during the Alicante trip analysis last year, but the £260 extra fee did not prove cost-effective. Instead, a Basic ticket combined with separately purchased seat selection, three 10kg cabin bags, and a larger 20kg suitcase came to £45 less.
Baggage Selection and Price Variations
Baggage choices can also influence overall costs. Which? found that purchasing just one 20kg bag was £5 cheaper in 2024 and £3.50 less in 2026 compared to bundled options. However, the experts note that prices vary and the 20kg suitcase purchased separately does not include priority boarding perks.
Expert Advice for Consumers
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, commented: 'Ryanair's low cost fares may look tempting, but make sure you have a calculator with you when you book. By the time you've paid extra for basics like cabin bags or simply sitting next to your own family, the headline price quickly unravels - and other airlines can work out cheaper. It pays to do your own research, despite Ryanair recommending a Regular fare for a family of four, we found that the Basic fare can be cheaper - even if you add bags and seat selection.'
The comprehensive research underscores the importance of meticulous comparison when booking budget airline tickets, as promoted bundles may not always deliver the savings they imply.
