US Legacy carrier basic economy breakdown
When you book a flight on one of the big 3 legacy carriers in the United States there are usually 4 types of fares usually from most expensive to cheapest they are,
-
Domestic first class/international business class
-
Economy plus
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Regular economy
and the subject of this topic,
- Basic Economy
Since basic economy is the cheapest, most people tend to go with it but all cheap products must come with some type of disadvantage over a more expensive one and here I will be comparing what each US legacy carrier offers in basic economy and their restrictions so without further to do, lets go!
What is basic economy?
First we need to understand what basic economy is, it is a cheaper economy fare but with many restrictions on bags, seats, fees and other things it’s basically ultra low cost carrier mode on a legacy airline. In fact it was to compete with the rise of ultra low cost airlines across the US and the world with the big 3 ULCCs in America being Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant. The first of the big 3 to introduce basic economy fares was Delta in 2012 followed by United in 2016 and American in 2017. Now other US airlines like Alaska, Hawaiian, JetBlue offer similar fare types but we will just be focusing on the big 3.
The main restriction which may drive you away
On all 3 airlines, basic economy tickets CANNOT be changed unless this done within a 24 hour frame and they are also NON refundable so always make sure you can FOR SURE travel those days if not, make sure to cancel within 24 hours. there are a few exceptions for status holders but for majority of people this is how it is.
Baggage restrictions
Now this is where things get different, both American and Delta include carry on bags along with the standard personal item with a basic economy ticket. United on the other hand does not and you will be charged a fee if you attempt to bring it on board unless you are a Mileage Plus member with premier status, neither airline offers free checked bags unless you hold sufficient status.
Seats
Now this is what some people who have a preference on where they like to sit wonder, can I select my seat?
and the answer to that it yes of course, but with a price obviously unless you once again hold sufficient status prices vary depending on the location of the seat with an extra legroom/preferred seat costing more than a standard one in the back. On American and United you can still book preferred and extra legroom seats or even get assigned one on Delta you are restricted from these seats and have to choose between any select seat. If you decide to not pay extra for seat assignments they will be randomly given upon check in and there is NO guarantee that your group will be sitting together but these airlines do try to sit you as close as possible especially if traveling with kids,
Ground experience
Once at the airport, the experience is the same as main cabin on American at least and somewhat on Delta, United is a different game you CANNOT check in online and must do so at the airport in order to review your personal item. Security is the same for every economy fare so don’t worry your clear and pre check will work. Once airside you might wanna visit a lounge and you’ve heard the Delta Sky Clubs are nice and you see one and try to go in.
Sorry buddy, you can’t
Access is NOT permitted whatsoever regardless of method getting in even if you hold the highest status possible, you aren’t getting in if your booked in basic economy. AA and UA still allow access to lounges depending on status, credit card etc…
Boarding is usually the same across all 3 airlines, you will always be one of the last people to board and going back to Delta and American allowing carry ons, the overhead bins will most likely be full by the time you board which may encourage you to check your carry on instead. People with special needs will still be able to board earlier if needed upon request.
Once on board, the hard and soft product are the exact same as main cabin passengers will have so if your aircraft has PTVs, you will have them, if you get free meals and snacks, you’ll get them you won’t be treated any differently on the plane.
Mileage
Now a question that may come up is, will you still get your miles and loyalty points on a basic economy flight and the answer is yes if you fly American and United that is. Even if you are Deltas number 1 customer you will NOT earn a single mile for your account if you travel in basic economy no matter what.
Price & Conclusion
Sometimes the price between basic economy and main cabin isn’t too expensive at all to the point that after adding a seat assignment and a checked bag you will pretty much pay more than a main cabin ticket which includes those things. On the other hand even after all these additions, you’ll still be paying $60 - $50 less than a main cabin ticket so if you plan to bring more than included, compare the 2 fares and see which one is truly better, do you sacrifice not being able to change or get refunded for your trip for a cheaper price or just fly main cabin and pay a little more but don’t have to worry about any restrictions?
As for these 3 airlines, they are similar in terms of changing/cancelling your trip but in other ways they are pretty different
For the baggage restrictions, United is the clear loser since only personal items are included .
Delta loses on the seats, due to not being able to select preferred seats and being confined to the back of the plane.
United and Delta somewhat tie for worst ground experience since on UA you MUST check in at the airport and you cannot access any Sky Club on Delta regardless of entry method
and Delta once again loses on the mileage section thanks to not providing ANY skymiles for even high status holders if traveling in basic economy.
And the winner for best basic economy is (I may be a bit biased)…
It’s American Airlines!
They include checked bags AND a carry on, you can select ANY seat and maybe get lucky getting assigned a preferred or main cabin extra seat, having a pretty similar ground experience as a main cabin passenger except boarding last and still being able to earn AAdvantage miles.
Americans basic economy isn’t that bad whatsoever, just make sure you can 100% travel the days you book because you still can’t cancel/change/get refunded but either way, basic economy is still less than $100 cheaper than main cabin most of the time so maybe I’d still just go with main cabin just to not take the risk but if it’s significantly cheaper and you are 100% certain those days will work, basic economy won’t hurt.
That has been it for this basic economy comparison between the 3 legacy US airlines on behalf of @NonStopsAviation
Thanks for reading!
American, Delta and United’s pages about basic economy
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/inflight/basic-economy.html