Given the many cheaptravel options to Europe, including cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, somefliers will be pleased to hear that American Airlines is planning on introducingno-frills basic economy airline tickets on flights between the U.S. and Europe.
While Americans cheapest fares to Europe are expected to drop,passengers purchasing those fares may soon have to start paying to check abag. This move is intended to betterposition American to compete with overseas low-cost airlines such as WOW Airand Norwegian that have grown rapidly in the U.S. this decade.
Basic Economy fares provide passengers seats onfull-service airlines such as American, Delta, and United, but strip out somebenefits that previously were standard travel perks.
American, Delta, and United, have already introducedno-frills fares on domestic routes, particularly where they compete withultra-low-cost airlines such as Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit.
The major airlines cheapest fares are closer to the lowbase fares offered by ultra-low-cost airlines but come with restrictionsincluding no advance seat assignments, carry-on limitations, no upgrade option,and no cancellation options.
Delta has already started selling Basic Economy fares oninternational flights. American plans todo the same starting in April. Americanhas yet to announce which international routes its fliers will first see thesefares, but a phased in rollout is expected.
American is following the same approach as it did for itsinitial rollout of Basic Economy, including training its employees in March andmaking these fares available in a limited number of markets initially to ensurethe rollout goes smoothly.
American is introducing Basic Economy fares oninternational flights because it believes that a large segment of the flyingpopulation only care almost entirely about price and this initiative will helpthe airline compete with budget rivals.
European low-cost airlines WOW, Norwegian and others haveoffered U.S. to Europe fares for as little $65 one way. Fares on some of those tickets often comewith additional fees. For example,Icelandic based WOW makes its passengers pay extra for almost everything beyondboarding the plane when buying its cheapest fares. Seat assignments, food and drink, and evensome carry-on bags cost extra.
Traditional full-service U.S. airlines hope that its lowerticket prices will attract price conscious travelers for an experience theyclaim is more upscale that what they will receive from a budget airline.
American Airlines believes fliers taking advantage of itsBasic Economy fares will be happier in the end because its service is betterthan the service provided by low-cost airlines.
The following are the restrictions placed on AmericansBasic Economy fares for domestic and European itineraries:
Seatassignments
Domestic:Assigned at check-in.
Europe:Assigned at check-in. Advance assignments available at any time, for a fee.
Carry-onbags
Domestic:One personal item that must fit underneath the seat in front of the passenger.
Europe:One carry-on and one personal item. One item can be stowed in an overhead bin.
Checkedbags
Domestic:Fee for all checked bags
Europe:Fee for all checked bags
Upgradeeligibility
Domestic:Not offered
Europe:Not offered
Flightchange/Same-day standby
Domestic:Not offered
Europe:Not offered
Earnsfrequent-flier miles
Domestic:Yes
Europe:Yes
Flightscount toward elite status
Domestic:Yes, but at a reduced level
Europe:Yes, but at a reduced level
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