Are new ‘basic economy’ fares on long-haul flights worth the squeeze?
Several long-haul airlines have recently launched discounted ‘basic economy’ fares, allowing budget-conscious passengers to travel to destinations such as the USA with hand luggage only and avoid unnecessary fees. Therefore, to help savvy travellers weigh-up their long-haul options, APH has put together a table comparing the new economy ticket options available on flights from the UK.
The APH guide looks at the economy fares offered by nine airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian Air, comparing hand and checked luggage allowances, seat selection, seat width and legroom, and if complimentary refreshments are provided.
In terms of luggage, seven of the nine airlines allow travellers to bring up to 10kg of hand luggage onboard. However, both American Airlines’ Basic Economy and WOW air’s Basic fares do not allow passengers to put hand luggage in the overhead lockers and restrict passengers to carry-on personal items that fit underneath the seat in front. Checked baggage is not included as part of a basic fare, but an allowance of 23kg of hold luggage is included with 11 of the airlines’ standard economy charges, including Air France, KLM and Icelandair.
BASIC ECONOMY FARE – TO AND FROM EUROPE
ROUTES
• To and from Europe
HAND BAGGAGE
• Maximum weight not specified
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• No
BOARDING
• Group 8
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 15.9” – 19.3”, depending on aircraft and route
LEGROOM
• 30”
BASIC ECONOMY FARE – FLIGHTS WITHIN THE U.S., CANADA, MEXICO & CARIBBEAN
ROUTES
• Flights within the U.S., Canada, Mexico & Caribbean
HAND BAGGAGE
• Not included and no access to overhead bins
• Personal item is included – up to a maximum size of 18x14x8 inches
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• No
BOARDING
• Group 9
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 15.9” – 19.3”, depending on aircraft and route
LEGROOM
• 30”
BASIC ECONOMY FARE
ROUTES
• London to Austin, Boston, Delhi, Denver, Hong Kong, Oakland, Philadelphia, Punta Cana, Singapore and Dubai
HAND BAGGAGE
• One cabin bag (23kg) and one handbag/laptop bag (23kg)
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• No
BOARDING
• Board in final group
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 17.5”
LEGROOM
• 31”
STANDARD ECONOMY FARE
ROUTES
• London to Austin, Boston, Delhi, Denver, Hong Kong, Oakland, Philadelphia, Punta Cana, Singapore and Dubai
HAND BAGGAGE
• One cabin bag (23kg) and one handbag/laptop bag (23kg)
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• 23kg
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 17.5”
LEGROOM
• 31”
BASIC ECONOMY FARE
ROUTES
• Available on around half of Delta’s flights between North America and Europe
HAND BAGGAGE
• Yes
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• No
BOARDING
• Board in final group
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 17” – 18.3”
LEGROOM
• 31”
ECONOMY LIGHT FARE
ROUTES
• Between Europe, Iceland and the U.S.
HAND BAGGAGE
• 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes – limited to soft drinks, coffee and tea
SEAT WIDTH
• 17” – 19” depending on aircraft
LEGROOM
• 32”
ECONOMY STANDARD FARE
ROUTES
• Between Europe, Iceland and the U.S.
HAND BAGGAGE
• 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• 23kg
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes – limited to soft drinks, coffee and tea
SEAT WIDTH
• 17” – 19” depending on aircraft
LEGROOM
• 32”
ECONOMY FLEX FARE
ROUTES
• Between Europe, Iceland and the U.S.
HAND BAGGAGE
• 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• 23kg
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Priority boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes – limited to soft drinks, coffee and tea
SEAT WIDTH
• 17” – 19” depending on aircraft
LEGROOM
• 32”
ECONOMY LOWFARE FARE
ROUTES
• Flights to/from U.S., Thailand, Argentina, Singapore and Caribbean (excl. flights between U.S. and Caribbean)
HAND BAGGAGE
• 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• No
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• No
SEAT WIDTH
• 17.2”
LEGROOM
• 31” – 32”
ECONOMY LIGHT FARE
ROUTES
• Select direct routes
HAND BAGGAGE
• 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• No
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 17”
LEGROOM
• 31”
ECONOMY CLASSIC FARE
ROUTES
• All routes
HAND BAGGAGE
• 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• 23kg
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 17”
LEGROOM
• 31”
ECONOMY DELIGHT FARE
ROUTES
• Select direct routes
HAND BAGGAGE
• 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• 23kg
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Premium check-in desks
• Priority boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 17”
LEGROOM
• 34”
WOW BASIC FARE
ROUTES
• All routes
HAND BAGGAGE
• Not included and no access to overhead bins
• Personal item up to a maximum size of 42x32x25cm and maximum weight of 10kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• No
SEAT SELECTION
• No
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• No
SEAT WIDTH
• 17”
LEGROOM
• 29” – 30”
WOW PLUS FARE
ROUTES
• All routes
HAND BAGGAGE
• One personal item as above
• One carry-on bag up to 12kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• Yes
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• No
SEAT WIDTH
• 17”
LEGROOM
• 29” – 30”
WOW COMFY FARE
ROUTES
• All routes
HAND BAGGAGE
• One personal item as above
• One carry-on bag up to 12kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• Yes – one checked bag
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Board during general boarding
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• No
SEAT WIDTH
• 17”
LEGROOM
• XL legroom: seat pitch: 32” – 33″
• XXL legroom: seat pitch: 35″+
WOW PREMIUM FARE
ROUTES
• All routes
HAND BAGGAGE
• One personal item as above
• One carry-on bag up to 12kg
CHECKED BAGGAGE
• Yes – two checked bags
SEAT SELECTION
• Yes
BOARDING
• Fastrack security at KEF airport in Iceland
• Priority boarding at all airports
COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK
• Yes
SEAT WIDTH
• 17”
LEGROOM
• 37”