Airlines are broadening basic economy fares to international
routes, raising the potential for extra fees and inconveniences for unwary
travelers.
Delta, which led the three largest U.S. carriers in introducing
the fare type in 2015, now has Basic Economy fares available on more than
half its flights between North America and Europe for service on April 10 or
later. As a part of that expansion, Delta also has introduced a $60
first-checked-bag fee specific to transatlantic Basic Economy passengers for
travel on or after April 10, though it does not apply to tickets issued on or
before Dec. 6. Standard economy passengers will continue to have a free first
checked bag on those routes.
Delta partners Air France-KLM and Alitalia both will expand
their own "Light" fares with similar baggage fees for transatlantic
passengers at the same time.
While the fares across the three airlines come with
additional restrictions—no seat selections, for example—they do not prevent
passengers from using overhead storage space, as similar fares on United and
American Airlines do. Neither United nor American are selling transatlantic
basic economy fares; while American executives have said it is a possibility,
they also indicated they might vary slightly from the domestic fares.