4 ms·

This headline is a blatant mischaracterization. US Airlines is offering a new lower fare tier for passengers who don't care where they sit and don't need the bi

This headline is a blatant mischaracterization. US Airlines is offering a new lower fare tier for passengers who don't care where they sit and don't need the bins. It's not a new fee. A less rage-baiting version would say, "US airline to offer lower fares to customers not using overhead bins." But who the hell would read an article about that?

reustle 10y ago
Did you read the article? > United expects the changes to raise around $1bn by 2020. Those choosing a standard economy fare, it is therefore reasonable to assume, will be expected to pay significantly more than they do now.
rashkov 10y ago
The problem with that is that no one shops directly on the airline websites any more, at least not at first. Now this company's fares will appear at the top of the list when you search kayak or google flights or whatever. Then you order your ticket and don't realize the restriction until you're about to put the order through. This works effectively well. Then the rest of the industry feels pressure to do the same thing to remain competitive. It's a race to the bottom and I think it's how we wound up in the present situation of frequently paying for checked bags and not getting meals included. This is going too far though -- who travels for even a few days without an overhead bag? And have you noticed how much smaller the size restrictions on the overhead bags are now?
- farzadb82 10y ago
  Agreed. I don't have a problem with airlines creating cheaper seats that they can market to a segment of customers. What I do have a problem with is the lack of transparency of what you're getting when you attempt to research and compare fares. In my opinion, this is what the government should focus on.
bitwize 10y ago
It's a fee disguised as a "new lower fare". Basic economy seats will cost as much as economy seats do today, with standard economy costing much more.
garduque 10y ago
Doesn't Spirit do the same thing, too? Start barebones and keep selecting add-ons until your fare is the same as a regular airline?
ddoran 10y ago
Did you read the article? The no-bag fare will be equivalent to today's lowest fares. People carrying bags will pay more. This is not a new lower tier. > But those who choose the cheapest fare are unlikely to be making any savings. According to Reuters, basic economy fares “will be comparable to low fares it now charges for the economy cabin, but with more restrictions”.

reustle 10y ago

Did you read the article? > United expects the changes to raise around $1bn by 2020. Those choosing a standard economy fare, it is therefore reasonable to assume, will be expected to pay significantly more than they do now.

rashkov 10y ago

The problem with that is that no one shops directly on the airline websites any more, at least not at first. Now this company's fares will appear at the top of the list when you search kayak or google flights or whatever. Then you order your ticket and don't realize the restriction until you're about to put the order through. This works effectively well. Then the rest of the industry feels pressure to do the same thing to remain competitive. It's a race to the bottom and I think it's how we wound up in the present situation of frequently paying for checked bags and not getting meals included. This is going too far though -- who travels for even a few days without an overhead bag? And have you noticed how much smaller the size restrictions on the overhead bags are now?

farzadb82 10y ago
Agreed. I don't have a problem with airlines creating cheaper seats that they can market to a segment of customers. What I do have a problem with is the lack of transparency of what you're getting when you attempt to research and compare fares. In my opinion, this is what the government should focus on.

bitwize 10y ago

It's a fee disguised as a "new lower fare". Basic economy seats will cost as much as economy seats do today, with standard economy costing much more.

garduque 10y ago

Doesn't Spirit do the same thing, too? Start barebones and keep selecting add-ons until your fare is the same as a regular airline?

ddoran 10y ago

Did you read the article? The no-bag fare will be equivalent to today's lowest fares. People carrying bags will pay more. This is not a new lower tier. > But those who choose the cheapest fare are unlikely to be making any savings. According to Reuters, basic economy fares “will be comparable to low fares it now charges for the economy cabin, but with more restrictions”.