Flying on Delta International Basic Economy is Pricer

Would be travelers who have to find affordable cheap traveloptions such as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages, willbe disappointed to learn that Delta is charging baggage fees for passengers whopurchase International Basic Economy tickets.

Experienced travelers are well aware of the disadvantagesof basic economy fares such as no advance seat assignments, use of the overheadbin, elite-qualifying frequent flier miles, same day flight changes, upgrades,and so on. Unbundled fares have beentrumpeted by airlines as adding more choices for consumers.

However, many airline managers concede that such fares areusually so unattractive that most travelers opt for more inclusive/expensivetraditional coach pricing instead.

The creation of a new lower base fare, which very fewpeople want or buy, has allowed airlines to charge more for regular coach,which by comparison comes off looking like a premium product. The net result has been an increase averagecoach airfare.

Delta announced in early December that it had introduced yetanother restriction to its basic economy fares. Travelers purchasing basic economy tickets to Europe on or afterDecember 6, for travel beginning April 10, 2018, would pay $60 for the firstchecked bag, and $100 for the second bag. Previously Europe fares were exempt from baggage fees, while domesticbasic economy fares have always come with baggage fees.

Deltas decision to charge baggage fees for its passengerstraveling on its cheapest tickets aligns its policy with those of ultra-low-costairlines such as WOW and Norwegian Air. Deltas new pricing position puts its at odds with United whichcontinues to waive checked baggage fees on European flights, even for basiceconomy passengers.

Americans position is unclear since it has yet to startoffering basic economy pricing on its European network. All indications are however that Delta willlead the race to the bottom with the expectation that baggage fees on basiceconomy tickets to European will become the industry standard among all U.S.airlines.