Budget Airline Blog

Passengers will have to pay for extras, from meals at £10 a head to charges for each bag as major airlines try to cover the soaring cost of oil.

Even ringing a call center to book a plane ticket could incur a charge.

The stark warning comes from John McCulloch, managing partner of Oneworld Alliance, the group that represents world’s leading airlines.

It comes just days after British Airways announced the biggest fuel surcharge increase in its history.

He predicted mainstream carriers will have to fall into line with their no-frills rivals as they look to cut costs. The same has already happened in America.

“People have to realise it is going to get more expensive to travel,” said Mr McCulloch, whose group includes British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia and Qantas.

“Airlines would argue that it is the right way to do it. It will be £20 for a bag, £10 for a meal, you are going to see much more of that.

“I think charging for meals will become standard practice.”