Basic Economy Fares

A while back, I noticed that airlines had rolled out what's known as "basic economy" fares.  This is a new level of economy fare.  It varies from airline to airline but it may mean fewer carry on items and other restrictions.  For many travelers, these are big changes.  About a decade ago, many domestic airlines began charging for checked luggage on economy fares.  On some airlines, economy seats got a bit smaller but for a while, the experience in economy stayed fairly level.  Today, this basic economy fare is becoming more popular according to this Wall Street Journal article (Hate Basic Economy?  Here Comes More of It.):

http://predator.oldwestbury.edu:2048/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1927380610?accountid=29096

Hate is a pretty strong word and the Wall Street Journal isn't exactly a bastion of anti-business thought.  So yes, some people are not fans of these basic economy fares.  On one hand, consumers want to get a good deal on airfares.  On the other, many of the same folks complain about fewer service offerings in basic economy.  It's been said that "a cheap price is often a shortcut to being cheated".  Perhaps the emphasis on locating the best price may be misplaced.  If you're planning to check bags, sometimes a first class ticket can be a good value.  Some airlines offer "premium economy".  Depending your luggage and other needs, that might be a better deal.  As the Wall Street Journal article notes, airlines are trying to offer consumers more options at different price points.  This works well for some and for others it's frustrating.  As they say, "your mileage may vary".  In the meantime, enjoy the rest of summer.