Bare-bones fares in view
American Airlines has introduced its long-expected Basic Economy fare class, saying tickets will go on sale in February in “select markets.”
Now all three of the USA’s biggest airlines have a version of this fare class. As at United, fliers buying American’s Basic Economy fare will be able to bring onboard only carry-ons small enough to fit under the seat in front of them. Carry-ons that would need to be stowed in overhead bins are not allowed, though American’s elitelevel frequent fliers and holders of certain American Airlinesbranded credit cards will be exempted from that restriction.
American’s Basic Economy fares also will not allow changes — not even for a fee — and fliers in this class will be among the last to board the plane. The fares will earn frequent-flier miles, but elite status will be earned more slowly for those buying Basic Economy.
The new Basic Economy fares in place at American, Delta and United have been developed to battle a new breed of budget carriers, which have been increasingly encroaching on their hubs. “Ultra-low-cost carriers” such as Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant, charge rock-bottom base fares but add fees for everything from seat assignments to water. A fee is even charged for using the overhead bin space.
American President Robert Isom acknowledged that fee structure in the company’s formal Basic Economy announcement Wednesday.
“This new fare product also gives American the ability to compete more effectively with the growing number of ultra-lowcost carriers.”
American said its Basic Economy fares would gradually expand to more markets but would not be rolled to all of the flights in its system.