---
title: "What is Basic economy? | Benefit Systems"
description: "Basic economy is a network airline's cheapest fare, with baggage, seat selection and changes stripped out of the price."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Basic economy?

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](/de/glossar/basic-economy)

## Related terms #

- [Ancillary revenue](/en/glossary/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](/en/glossary/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](/en/glossary/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 #

- [What is basic economy and what’s missing?](/en/knowledge/basic-economy)
- [When do you have to pay to choose a seat?](/en/knowledge/seat-selection-fees)
- [What is a fare class and why does it decide everything?](/en/knowledge/fare-class)