Ryanair gives with one hand and takes away with the other, and no more so than with its latest check-in baggage policy. The good news is that from 01 October you can check-in two bags each weighing 15kg (double the previous allowance), but the bad news is the fees have also doubled.

Costs have doubled
Checking in baggage in advance online now costs £15 for the first bag and £35 for the second, making it £100 for a return journey with two bags. Check these in at the airport and you’ll be forking out £200.

The sports equipment cost has also gone up – it’s now £40 one way to take a ski or board bag, when booked in advance online. It’s all part of the company’s drive to encourage travelling with carry on baggage only, a near-impossible task if you’re heading out to the Alps to go skiing or snowboarding.

While BA has also abolished its free sports equipment carriage (from 07 October sports equipment will be included as part of your free checked baggage allowance instead of in addition to), bmibaby has introduced free ski or board carriage for a limited time period. Check the website for T&Cs.