The answer to “how low can you get” may have occurred to American Airlines as it reassessed customer reaction to its no-carry-on basic economy fares. Starting in September, a carry-on will be permitted.
Delta, which also offers stripped down basic economy fares, already allows a carry-on, as well as a personal item such as a handbag or laptop. United, at least so far, does not.
AA CEO Doug Parker told financial analysts the move is meant to help the airline “become more competitive,” and acknowledged that basic economy so far hasn’t been the winner AA expected.
Among other issues, it appears that many fliers were caught unaware at the gate and had to pay $25 to take the bag aboard, despite American’s spelling it out in detail in the fine print. Which, of course, is fine print. Add to the confusion that some holders of AA-branded credit cards were entitled to the carry-on even with basic economy.
Still, even with the change, there’s no guarantee of an easy path to the overhead bin for basic economy fliers, since they are in the last group to board, and may find most of the bins filled. Unless, of course, they paid with one of those credit cards that move them up in the boarding order.
