Air passengers are learning to cope with increases in stealth fare as a host of airlines, including British Airways and American Airlines, begin charging more for checking in more than one bag. For a family of four the charges could add more than £100 to the cost of a holiday.

US carriers, including Delta, Continental, US Airways and American Airlines are set to charge $50 on economy trans-Atlantic flights. From October, British Airways will commence charging up to £40 for a second bag, including skis or other sporting equipment.

From late September Virgin Atlantic is imposing a one-bag limit on economy passengers flying to destinations such as Shanghai, Dubai and Singapore.

It is estimated that additional charges are likely to hit holidaymakers particularly hard as they typically carry more luggage and are also more likely to fly economy.

While air passenger associations are charging airlines with scalping passengers, airlines are pleading that they need to generate revenue in unprecedented economic times.