I agree it should probably go away for long flights. However, for short (2 hours or less) with a quick turn-around, basic is okay. Some folks are going and returning in short order, so for that it’s fine. Also, some folks, many folks are financially strapped, so $20, or $50 will make a big difference.
I’m more upset by hotels adding a resort fee when they are just simple hotels. And, quoting a rate that doesn’t include the full cost.
I agree with BOH – I think the basic economy is a marketing ploy to get you to book something more expensive, once you see what you’re not getting. It gets you to look at the website. Being able to secure a good seat assignment (aisles!!) is a high priority for me for flying anywhere, but especially for a 5-6 hour flight to Hawaii. We check a bag but always bring a roller-bag with our most important things and clothes/swim suit for the first 24-48 hours in case our checked bag is lost. Wouldn’t want to give up that overhead space. Everything about air travel has gotten worse, IMHO. Thanks for the great article.
I usually fly. Southwest to Hawaii but have no problem with Basic Economy on American or Hawaiian because I have their credit cards and can check a bag for free. Seat selection has never been a problem. The food on Hawaiian these days is so bad—and I’m not usually picky—that it’s not a factor. Getting to Hawaii!!! at the cheapest fare is my goal.
While Southwest comes up the winner for lower costs, my experience flying between OGG and PDX has been that they change scheduling. Each time I or my family has flown SW there’s been an additional layover time.
Dollar wise they’re cheaper than HA or Alaskan but I’ll pay for the printed(and mostly promised) schedule every time
I’ve been checking LGB/HNL/LGB flights on HA and have found three different fares: Main Cabin Basic, Main Cabin and Main Cabin Refundable (all with no explanations of what are or what are not included in these fares). Based on the three fare codes, the following are prices (in the above order) for travel 2/9-18:
$240/$340/$460
The fare from Main Cabin Basic to Main Cabin has gone up $20 – from $80 to $100! And when did Main Cabin Refundable pop up?
Wow! We will be flying to Hawaii for a wedding in June and will start the airline search once date/location are firmed up by the wedding party. It sounds like sorting through all the details in order to make an informed carrier decision will have all the joy of a root canal.
At least Southwest does not play smoke and mirrors with you. It seems there is far less risk of feeling you have been taken by the fine print or fancy semantics or hidden fees.
Thanks for the deep dive for those of us who fall into the “occasional island flyer” category. Being informed will help us a lot. Cheers!
Book Southwest and keep checking for fare reductions. For my trip at the end of November, the fare has gone down twice in the last month. You can also change dates and times.
every ticket – next to the seat assignment – should show a bin number
on the airplane the bins should have numbers
easy to verify if someone has put their luggage where it doesn’t belong!
Why don’t they stop basic economy already
Joshua,
I agree it should probably go away for long flights. However, for short (2 hours or less) with a quick turn-around, basic is okay. Some folks are going and returning in short order, so for that it’s fine. Also, some folks, many folks are financially strapped, so $20, or $50 will make a big difference.
I’m more upset by hotels adding a resort fee when they are just simple hotels. And, quoting a rate that doesn’t include the full cost.
I agree with BOH – I think the basic economy is a marketing ploy to get you to book something more expensive, once you see what you’re not getting. It gets you to look at the website. Being able to secure a good seat assignment (aisles!!) is a high priority for me for flying anywhere, but especially for a 5-6 hour flight to Hawaii. We check a bag but always bring a roller-bag with our most important things and clothes/swim suit for the first 24-48 hours in case our checked bag is lost. Wouldn’t want to give up that overhead space. Everything about air travel has gotten worse, IMHO. Thanks for the great article.
I usually fly. Southwest to Hawaii but have no problem with Basic Economy on American or Hawaiian because I have their credit cards and can check a bag for free. Seat selection has never been a problem. The food on Hawaiian these days is so bad—and I’m not usually picky—that it’s not a factor. Getting to Hawaii!!! at the cheapest fare is my goal.
While Southwest comes up the winner for lower costs, my experience flying between OGG and PDX has been that they change scheduling. Each time I or my family has flown SW there’s been an additional layover time.
Dollar wise they’re cheaper than HA or Alaskan but I’ll pay for the printed(and mostly promised) schedule every time
I have never and never will fly basic economy. However, I could see some using it on short flights of an hour or two with same-day return.
I’ve been checking LGB/HNL/LGB flights on HA and have found three different fares: Main Cabin Basic, Main Cabin and Main Cabin Refundable (all with no explanations of what are or what are not included in these fares). Based on the three fare codes, the following are prices (in the above order) for travel 2/9-18:
$240/$340/$460
The fare from Main Cabin Basic to Main Cabin has gone up $20 – from $80 to $100! And when did Main Cabin Refundable pop up?
Wow! We will be flying to Hawaii for a wedding in June and will start the airline search once date/location are firmed up by the wedding party. It sounds like sorting through all the details in order to make an informed carrier decision will have all the joy of a root canal.
At least Southwest does not play smoke and mirrors with you. It seems there is far less risk of feeling you have been taken by the fine print or fancy semantics or hidden fees.
Thanks for the deep dive for those of us who fall into the “occasional island flyer” category. Being informed will help us a lot. Cheers!
Hi Peter.
Thanks. Good to hear from you again. Have a great time. Agree on Southwest; that the issues with flying them are different at least.
Aloha.
Book Southwest and keep checking for fare reductions. For my trip at the end of November, the fare has gone down twice in the last month. You can also change dates and times.
every ticket – next to the seat assignment – should show a bin number
on the airplane the bins should have numbers
easy to verify if someone has put their luggage where it doesn’t belong!