score:12
Yes, this is a trend that has happened in the last few years for short-haul airline travel. Most of the cheapest flights include no allowance for checked baggage.
Of course this doesn't mean that you can't take checked baggage, it just means you have to pay extra for it. With young children this might actually work to your advantage, assuming you can get away with only two suitcases between the four of you rather than buying a more expensive ticket that gives you one free bag for each of your four tickets.
Upvote:4
When you go to book flights on the BA website, they are very clear about baggage. Unlike some airlines, they do make it very clear, and very easy to pick, as shown here:
You can see the price of their "Hand Baggage Only" fare, the price with a checked bag, the price difference, all on one screen at the same time. Depending on the route, the exact cost difference does vary, but it's roughly in line with what's shown here (just under 20 quid)
If you book HBO (hand baggage only), and later decide that you did actually want a bag after all, you can pay extra to add one on. Prices are given on the BA baggage page, and vary depending on the route and on the London airport used, but are roughly between £20 and £40.
.
There is no longer an airline called BMI, they were bought by BA a couple of years ago. I think what you mean is BMI Regional. As covered on their BMI Regional Experience page, their base tickets include a 20kg piece of checked luggage for each ticket.
EasyJet never includes luggage in their base fares, as with pretty much all LCCs, so you'll have to factor adding on the checked baggage fee if you want it