There’s no better feeling than winning the travel jackpot and magically stumbling on an incredibly cheap airfare that will get you to your dream destination for less.

However, that excitement can soon turn to disappointment as you click through to the final purchasing page and see that price skyrocket thanks to additional fees for things like baggage and seat selection.

A new study by Aussie-based brand Kadi Luggage has revealed which popular airlines are guilty of these hidden charges, with the worst culprit adding up to a whopping 66 per cent to the original quoted ticket price.

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Cheap airfares can often become much more expensive when adding in the cost of checked baggage. (Getty)

Which airlines charge the most for hidden extras?

To get the most accurate data, the study looked at flight prices quoted by different airlines on their website, across similar routes between 6000 and 8000 kilometres for a seven-day round trip.

With the standard requirements of minimum 20 kilograms checked luggage, seven kilograms of cabin luggage and seat selection, the study then compared the initial quoted ticket price to the final one once all those requirements had been accounted for.

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There was one airline that stood out for all the wrong reasons, with Malaysia Airlines charging up to 66 per cent more than the original ticketed price once additional charges were factored in.

Malaysia Airlines offers just 10 kilograms of checked baggage for their ‘Lite’ fares, which could easily catch out travellers.

Malaysia Airlines topped the list for airlines charging the most in hidden extras. (Getty)

Budget airline Scoot came in second, charging up to 37 per cent in additional costs.

While Scoot do have the most generous cabin allowance at 10 kilograms (most airlines offer seven kilograms), it’s important to note that no checked baggage is included in their standard economy fare.

“This data highlights that whilst airlines may present an initially great deal, once you factor in the additional charges for services like extra luggage allowance and seat selection, the cost of your ticket can substantially increase,” says Harry Saunders, co-found of Kadi Luggage.

cruise competition
(Nine/Graphic: Polly Hanning)

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Australia’s most popular airlines ranked by the cost of add-ons

Of Australia’s main airlines, Virgin performed the best in the study adding 0 per cent additional costs during the booking process, alongside Air New Zealand and Qatar Airways.

Qantas came in at number five on the list with an average of 7.71 per cent increase on costs, while Jetstar was third with a huge 31.53 per cent increase on average costs.

"Sydney, NSW, Australia - December 12, 2012: Virgin Australia plane with stairs waiting for passengers to board at Sydney Airport"
Virgin Australia was the best performing Aussie airline. (iStock)

Here is the full list:

  1. Malaysia Airlines – 66.18 per cent increase
  2. Scoot – 36.94 per cent increase
  3. Jetstar – 31.53 per cent increase
  4. Cathay Pacific Airways – 11.96 per cent increase
  5. Qantas Airways – 7.71 per cent increase
  6. Singapore Airlines – 2.73 per cent increase
  7. Emirates – 2.5 per cent increase
  8. Air New Zealand – 0 per cent
  9. Virgin Australia – 0 per cent
  10. Qatar Airways – 0 per cent
From checked baggage costs to paying for seat selection, it pays to read the fine print of a cheap fare. (Getty)

How to avoid these hidden charges

One way to avoid the need for additional checked luggage is downsizing your holiday wardrobe and making sure to only pack essentials into your carry-on.

According to Harry, it also pays to use ” a super lightweight suitcase, like Kadi’s soft-shell cases [to] get the most out of your baggage allowance and avoid unnecessary extra fees”.

In addition, it’s important to note that ‘light’ or ‘saver’ type fares offered by airlines often come with a smaller checked baggage allowance, so it’s worth comparing different fares to see whether you’re better off paying for a slightly more expensive one that will take care of these hidden extras.

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