Bag tax earns easyJet bags of money

Ryanair first started the charges in 2007 and easyJet soon adopted the policy with some airlines charging as much as £8 per bag.

Airlines claim it helps reduce the time that passengers take getting through the airport and they need less staff as passengers are more likely to pack so that any luggage fits into "hand luggage" rather than being checked into the hold of the plane.

With the £8 or so cost for checking-in bags, easyJet saw an increase in non-flight revenue to over £29 million for the last quarter in 2007. "non-flight" revenues including any charges made other than the flight ticket itself. This can include heavy luggage, sales on board planes and priority boarding passes to name but a few.

Consumer watchdogs have criticised easyJet and other budget airlines including Ryanair for these additional charges which can add up to £50 per person.

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