United Airlines is joining Delta and American in offering no-frills seats on regular planes to compete with the deep discount prices of the ultra-low-cost carriers like Allegiant, Spirit and Frontier.
The new fares, commonly called ‘basic economy,’ so far don’t actually offer different seating, but they do strip away the frills and amenities usually associated with flying the Big Three major carriers. For the discounted far, you will need to expect to pay separately for checked bags, seat assignments, food or any kind of change in ticketing.
The fares began with Delta; American is putting them in place in January, and United will follow in the 2nd quarter. Generally, the fares are available only where there is direct competition from the ULCC discounters, so you won’t be likely to find them on non-stop trans-continental or trans-Atlantic routes.
And since the airlines would prefer not to sell these cut-rate seats to their usual customers, especially those with loyalty status, you may also lose some of the perks that go with that. United elites, for instance, won’t get elite qualifying credit, and no free checked bag. Other basic economy passengers will only be allowed a free ‘personal item’—no full-size carryon, while elites will be allowed the carry-on.
Still, for many travelers, especially families on a budget, the low fares may be a moneysaver, especially if all that’s needed can be tucked into one checked bag; for singles headed here or there for a weekend, even that may not be needed.
Photo: the spirit that’s driving full-service airlines into deep discounts.
