American Airlines is the latest of the Big Three in the US to launch 'Basic Economy' fares, allegedly cheaper fares with no hand luggage apart from one very small bag to fit under the seat in front of you, pre-assigned seating, reduced earning of points and status credits, no upgrades and as you would expect no changes to the ticket, it's "use it or lose it".
Is 'Basic Economy' something that Qantas and Virgin Australia should introduce? If they did, and it meant cheaper tickets but with the same restrictions as the US carriers, would you consider this for domestic or even international flights?
Small bag only would be the only issue I have. I haven't travelled with check luggage in years. I manage to get everything into a roll-aboard. Maybe if it was a day trip only this could work. Apart from that, if the price is a fair bit cheaper than a standard seat, I could see it being very popular.
I can't see it happening here in Australia due to our flights being used liked bus services. If you were to stand at the baggage carousel for a flight between a major city (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth) you'll find that hardly and bags are actually checked.
Both Qantas and Virgin know this and if they did offer basic fares, people would instead buy the cheaper fare which is not what QF and VA would want. They would rather charge a premium and include all these extras which they know people will not use, simply because it makes the product they are offering more attractive over the competition.
I honestly can't see the value in this - but that probably means there is someone at Qantas and Virgin who are writing a business proposal for the brains trust to do exactly this!
As has been commented many times here on AusBT, in-cabin luggage has degenerated into a farce. The time delays, the attitude you get from other passengers, its just not worth it.
I've actually gone back to checking my roll-on bag because I'm sick of the idiots other pax on most flights who either can't stow a bag properly, or decide to stow their bag above row 4-6 when they are down the back.
Honestly, most flights I find my bag is coming out within 3-4 mins of getting to the carousel. I'm not that time precious or self-important that I can't afford to spend a few minutes waiting for my bag.
Like everything these past 20 years, it's a race to the bottom HOWEVER not everyone wants the bottom YET no one writes about this. The word Porsche and cheap don't match so why would anyone support SQ to provide cheaper that Scoot / Tiger fares on their aircraft? Just let people who want cheap to fly cheap.
OK so this is about Qantas and Virgin. QF, do as you wish with Jetstar but leave Qantas a premium experience!!!! Virgin, you would do well to follow the same advice and keep travellers on Tiger and Virgin in their chosen experience.
US airline companies in Economy are more like cattle trucks, they charge for checked baggage & food & don't always run on time. Booking on no fills airline Economy fare in Australia is for the birds, can't see Virgin or Qantas wanting to do that. There are cheap airlines for those that feel the need.
US airline companies in Economy are more like cattle trucks, they charge for checked baggage & food & don't always run on time. Booking on no fills airline Economy fare in Australia is for the birds, can't see Virgin or Qantas wanting to do that. There are cheap airlines for those that feel the need.
It depends on who you book with and whether you have alliance status...
I sometimes head up to Portland and Southwest is usually the best option - free checked bags.
If I'm using American, I can utilise my Oneworld status to get free checked bags.
I find the American attitude to carry-on tedious - I'm much happier to have a small laptop bag, checked luggage, than go through the torture of finding overhead bin space.
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Should Qantas, Virgin introduce 'Basic Economy' fares?
Mal
Mal
Member since 14 Jun 2013
Total posts 109
American Airlines is the latest of the Big Three in the US to launch 'Basic Economy' fares, allegedly cheaper fares with no hand luggage apart from one very small bag to fit under the seat in front of you, pre-assigned seating, reduced earning of points and status credits, no upgrades and as you would expect no changes to the ticket, it's "use it or lose it".
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 272
Small bag only would be the only issue I have. I haven't travelled with check luggage in years. I manage to get everything into a roll-aboard. Maybe if it was a day trip only this could work. Apart from that, if the price is a fair bit cheaper than a standard seat, I could see it being very popular.
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
I can't see it happening here in Australia due to our flights being used liked bus services. If you were to stand at the baggage carousel for a flight between a major city (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth) you'll find that hardly and bags are actually checked.
ozzieflyer
ozzieflyer
Member since 29 Sep 2015
Total posts 3
QANTAS and VIRGIN have this already... in the form of JETSTAR and TIGER
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
idiotsother pax on most flights who either can't stow a bag properly, or decide to stow their bag above row 4-6 when they are down the back.GC Steve
GC Steve
Member since 11 Jan 2017
Total posts 1
Like everything these past 20 years, it's a race to the bottom HOWEVER not everyone wants the bottom YET no one writes about this. The word Porsche and cheap don't match so why would anyone support SQ to provide cheaper that Scoot / Tiger fares on their aircraft? Just let people who want cheap to fly cheap.
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456
GigiPk
GigiPk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Mar 2016
Total posts 17
US airline companies in Economy are more like cattle trucks, they charge for checked baggage & food & don't always run on time. Booking on no fills airline Economy fare in Australia is for the birds, can't see Virgin or Qantas wanting to do that. There are cheap airlines for those that feel the need.
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 456