I wrote this a short while ago - Ryanair now have a Gatwick-Alicante service with free flights (ie no fare but taxes etc) on some days
ARE THE AIR FARES CLEAR NOW?
Research and words by: Rob Innis
To make the popular low cost airlines web sites more understandable the EU legislated that they should display inclusive fares. I took a look to see how user friendly they had now become. Selecting a date at random for a one-way journey from Alicante to London Gatwick we reviewed the three big names options and prices. We also included Ryanair?s Stansted (they do not fly to Gatwick) route feeling they should not be missed out.
OCT. 13th. 2008 MONARCH BRITISH AIRLINES EASYJET RYANAIR STANSTEAD
FAREDISPLAYED 40.00 77.00 34.99 19.99
TAXES/CHGS 20.19 INCL.(49.71) INCL.(7.50) 22.30
HOLD BAG 10.49 INCL. 9.00 15.00
TOTAL EUROs 70.68 76.71 43.99 57.29
Monarch display the basic fare and the running total costs in another display on the right side of the screen.
BA display a total cost which is less than the first price shown (?) but it includes taxes and baggage charges but on the day were the highest cost.
easyJet display a total cost of ticket and handling charges but then go into a complex menu of baggage, insurance etc which if you do not de-select it is automatically added to your final price. They were the cheapest on the day ? if you select their 00.55 departure flight from the 3 services available.
Ryanair display the fare only, which if you select, another window opens adding in the charges. Followed by lots of confusing options for priority boarding etc.
The changes have failed to make to the final price clear and it is also further complicated by a confusing range of additional charges for paying with cards, with makes no sense given that buying online provides for no other option, admittedly some cards with some airlines are not charged.
You still need to do lots of work to understand the final price and lots of comparisons depending upon your route. Take your time - if you don?t deselect a box you will end up paying for an option you don?t want!