Fuel prices spark holiday crunch as air surcharges soar

Families are facing holiday misery this summer after big airlines sharply increased fuel surcharges on their flights, bringing the era of cheap air travel to an end.

Virgin Atlantic is imposing new charges today and, from Tuesday, British Airways long-haul passengers will have to pay

Other airlines, struggling to cope with fuel bills but wary of raising ticket prices for fear of losing customers, are introducing new fees for services, such as baggage handling, more leg room and even a window seat.

The BA increase, the second in a month, means that a family of four booking a trip to the West Coast of America on Tuesday will have to pay