Basic economy is a network airline's cheapest fare, with baggage, seat selection and changes stripped out of the price.
Basic economy is a network airline’s cheapest fare, with baggage, seat selection and changes stripped out of the price.
Also called: Light fare.
How it works#
The fare is not merely cheaper but systematically restricted: no advance seat assignment, late boarding, frequently no changes, and reduced or zero mileage earning. Adding a bag and a seat routinely pushes the total past the next fare up. That calculation belongs before booking rather than at the airport counter.
Not to be confused with#
Basic economy is not the same as a low-cost carrier fare: the restrictions look similar, but the flight runs inside a network airline with connecting itineraries.
In German#
The German term is Basic Economy. German version of this term
Related terms#
- Ancillary revenue: Ancillary revenue is income from services stripped out of the ticket price and sold separately, such as bags, seats or changes.
- Fare class: A fare class is the single letter on a ticket that identifies the fare and decides mileage earning, change rights and upgrade eligibility.
- Seat selection fee: A seat selection fee is a charge for choosing a specific seat before departure instead of having one assigned at check-in.
Articles that use this term#
TopicEvery article and term onBooking and flight search.