Holidaymakers could be paying more than they need to before they even board their flight. A major UK airline is facing criticism over claims its website directs customers towards more expensive travel permits.British Airways has come under fire for promoting third-party visa company Sherpa, which charges up to £30 more than official government websites for some travel documents.The airline says using Sherpa is entirely optional, but consumer experts have questioned whether customers are being made aware that they can often buy the same permits more cheaply through official government channels.Martin Lewis criticised the airline’s approach, telling MoneySavingExpert: “British Airways is our national flag carrier, one of the UK’s big legacy brands, with a supposed reputation for quality and service. “Yet, with this questionable practice, it feels to me a little less like a flagship and a little bit more like a pirate ship.”For example, a 90-day US ESTA costs £51 through Sherpa, while the same permit costs £30 through the official US Government website.Travellers visiting Australia can obtain an eVisitor permit free from the Australian Government, but Sherpa charges £17 for the same document.British Airways has come under fire for promoting third-party visa company Sherpa | BRITISH AIRWAYSThe mark-ups continue elsewhere with a Canadian eTA costing £16 through Sherpa, compared with the official price of £3.75. While a New Zealand travel permit costs £82 through Sherpa instead of £50 through official government channels.Sherpa says its fees cover services such as checking applications for errors and, for some destinations, helping customers complete the application.However, travellers who do not need that extra support could end up paying significantly more than necessary if they do not apply through the official government websites.Martin Lewis criticised the airline’s approach | ITV/THE MARTIN LEWIS MONEY SHOW LIVE British Airways insists it provides customers with a straightforward choice between Sherpa and official government providers.A spokesperson stated that the airline makes clear Sherpa is a third-party provider that may charge additional fees, with official government channels also linked on the same page.Yet an investigation found the customer experience tells a different story. Travellers who do not need that extra support could end up paying significantly more than necessary | GETTYWhen managing bookings, travellers encounter the Sherpa option first, complete with green ticks and a purple “recommended” label.The route to official government websites proves considerably more convoluted, requiring users to navigate through the International Air Transport Association site, with some links needing manual copying into browsers.