- United Airlines introduced basic economy in 2017 to compete with budget carriers.
- I booked the discounted fare from New York to Denver to experience the airline’s most basic option.
- I loved the domestic cabin, but United’s no carry-on rule is more restrictive than competitors.
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United Airlines introduced a “basic economy” ticket in 2017 to compete with budget carriers like Frontier and Spirit Airlines.
The discount ticket comes with a random seat and a personal item when flying domestically. There’s no option to pay extra for a carry-on — it has to be checked for a fee.
Albeit restrictive, this cheaper alternative helps lure more price-sensitive travelers who prefer the perks of a mainline carrier like United — like seatback screens and free snacks — instead of the barebones amenities of a low cost.
I’ve personally moved toward booking basic economy instead of budget carriers for convenience and comfort. I’ll upgrade to regular economy if necessary, but I usually like to save a buck where I can.
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My go-to is normally Delta Air Lines for its reliability, but I recently tried United between New York and Denver.
I wanted to see how the airline’s more restrictive basic economy rules played out in reality and how its “United Next” cabin felt after four hours across the US.