It is like hitting rock bottom, or at least in the vicinity. Airlines in the US are offering a class that is below economy. So what is below the ‘cattle’ class? Worms? The ‘basic economy’ class is going to be a no-frill, no-food, no-fun seating option where all you pay for is a seat to get you from point A to point B, through air. Like taking a public transport bus to a place where you can also reach at the same time in the comforts of a taxi. The difference? Pricing. The big names like Delta, United and American are offering this basic economy class to try and grab some of the lucrative pie that low-fare airlines are gorging up. Low cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier are offering very competitive prices making passengers choose them over the more premium airlines.
The basic economy is however very basic. Allegedly, the airlines have introduced this category with a more sly motive. To try and get passengers to eventually spend more by choosing an upgrade. Apparently when you try to make a booking, the website will try and dissuade you in booking for the low class seat by pop-up windows and boxes on the services that you WON’T be getting. A true-blood consumer will get lured, thus, into making an upgrade and taking the plunge to travel with some frills. The purpose is lost, but the airlines get the profit.
It is a sneaky business. Airlines are always racing to offer the most exclusive, comfortable, luxurious travel packages for the First Class and Business Class passengers while shrinking any and all benefits for the economy, less-opulent crowd. Soon there could be boards outside airport lounges saying: ‘dogs and economy class not allowed’.
[ Via : Economist ]