Booking online Flights
Which? Archive
This article, Booking online, was last updated on 11 May 2007 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Money articles.
A good website should...
Try general travel sites to find flights on full-service airlines
- Show headline prices that include all taxes and charges
- Show you prices for flights on adjacent days
- Have clear details of luggage allowances
- Let you check in online
- Offer ticketless travel – leading airlines have agreed that from 2008 they will no longer issue paper tickets
Where to start
For short-haul trips, it’s often hard to beat the prices offered by no-frills airlines. To see where you can fly to from your local airport, try lowcost.com, whichbudget.com or oag.com. To compare prices for your chosen route, log on to Skyscanner or Dohop (Dohop is the more comprehensive).
No-frills airlines
Ryanair is one of the largest no-frills airlines
No-frills airlines have streamlined their service (eg meals are not included) to keep prices low. The two largest no-frills operators – Easyjet and Ryanair – are good bets, covering most of Europe.
However, your choice of airline is more likely to depend on where you wish to fly from. A regionally-based, no-frills airline might suit you better, eg Flybe.
Full-service airlines
No-frills deals aren't always the cheapest. Prices change very quickly, especially closer to the departure date, so it's worth checking out all the options. British Airways can be just as competitive, as can the national airline of your chosen destination.
Dohop or general travel websites (see 'Booking tips') are good for finding flights on full-service airlines, and for long-haul trips try using a website that compares prices with different airlines, such as Airline Network.
Baggage allowances
There is no standard luggage allowance, although 20kg is common for bags you check in. Flybe and Ryanair both charge per item of luggage checked in. If you know you’ll have more than hand luggage, pay online at the time of booking – it’s half the price you’ll pay at the airport.
Booking
Dates Generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper the fare. And the more flexible your travel dates, the more likely you are to find those cheap fares. Most websites show prices for flights either side of your chosen date, so you can see how much you’d save by nudging your travel plans.
Taxes By law, flight prices in printed adverts, such as those on billboards and in newspapers, must include all taxes and charges. But not all websites include these at the start of the booking process; if that’s the case, quickly click through the booking process to find out what the taxes will be.
Check for new luggage allowances
Location Make sure you know where you are flying to. Some destinations have more than one airport, eg Paris, while cheaper airlines, notably Ryanair, may use minor airports further away, adding time and money to your trip. It’s particularly important if you’re arranging car hire for your arrival.
Card charges Many airlines, including BA, charge an extra fee for paying by credit card, and most no-frills airlines also charge you for using a debit card, though the fee is lower. Take whichever card you use to the airport; you may be asked for it at check in. Make sure it won’t expire before you travel.
Tickets Booking online means you will probably not get a ticket. Instead you’ll be sent a confirmation email with a booking reference; it’s a good idea to print it out and take it to the airport with you.
Online check-in Many airlines, such as British Airways and Flybe, let you check in online, saving you the hassle of airport queues. You can usually do this between 24 and four hours before your flight, but may be limited to hand luggage only. If you check in online, remember to print your boarding card!
Watch out If you book directly with an airline, rather than buying a package that includes flights, you'll have no protection if that airline goes bust. We recommend you pay by credit card for anything over £100 (you will be entitled to a full refund) or make sure your travel insurance covers you in the event of airline failure (check out our Best Buy travel insurance).
Last-minute checklist
- Does the price include taxes and charges?
- Have you selected the right airport?
- Can you check in online?
- Will you be charged extra to check in bags?