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[Guevara]

American Airlines is taking tips from United on how to lick up any last drop of dignity left in air travel—the airline has announced a new lower-cost fare class that doesn't include use of the overhead bins for carry-on luggage.

In a press release, the airline said it will start offering Basic Economy fares in February. These "no-frills tickets" will be the cheapest available, and won't allow you to pick a seat in advance or be eligible for upgrades. More irritatingly, passengers will only be able to bring a personal item, like a backpack or purse, that will fit under their seats—overhead compartments are only available for folks paying higher fares. If your carry-on doesn't store under your seat, you'll have to pay a standard checked bag fee plus an extra $25 to check it at the gate.

http://gothamist.com/2017/01/19/no_more_carry-on_bags_for_folks_who.php

It's going to be fun to see them enforce the no overhead space rule. Pack light!

 

[Akuun]

It sounds like it would be good for those who are doing very short/light trips.

The space under the seat is actually pretty decently sized.

 

[Stinkles]

Thank god. Flying economy on American was TOO luxurious, comfortable and dignified.

 

[ZOONAMI]

http://gothamist.com/2017/01/19/no_more_carry-on_bags_for_folks_who.php

It's going to be fun to see them enforce the no overhead space rule. Pack light!

Bad news, likely all the other majors will follow suit and then the prices will go up to where regular coach seats are now. So essentially a long game price hike scheme.

 

[YuriLowell]

If I wanted Spirit Airlines, I would have flown Spirit Airlines.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Thank god. Flying economy on American was TOO luxurious, comfortable and dignified.

As long as its actually cheaper I'm ok with it. RyanAir is shit but tons of people fly it because its so cheap. People want cheap prices before luxury.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Bad news, likely all the other majors will follow suit and then the prices will go up to where regular coach seats are now. So essentially a long game price hike scheme.

Well this represents American following others here. I think United recently rolled this out first.

But yeah your point stands.

 

[CoolOff]

last drop of dignity left in air travel

I regularly fly Ryanair here in Europe, what the hell is this article even talking about?

 

[norm9]

Hope they arm the flight attendants with tazers seeing as passengers act like animals in regards to overhead bins already.

 

[Tom Nook]

That's cool.

I plan on traveling a lot.

 

[Ponn]

First to get kicked off if full

 

[SephCast]

And this is why Southwest continues to be the best. Get this convoluted bullshit out of here.

 

[Stinkles]

Bad news, likely all the other majors will follow suit and then the prices will go up to where regular coach seats are now. So essentially a long game price hike scheme.

Yep. The (arbitrary and utterly unpredictable) fare will look mysteriously like the old coach fare within six months of "launch."


And the cartel behavior of airlines means they will all laugh about it as they quaff brandy in a club somewhere* so they don't have to put their collusion in writing.


* or the fact that these press releases all act as a wink and a nod to each other anyway.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

I regularly fly Ryanair here in Europe, what the hell is this article even talking about?

Fucking crazy to see many flights like $10-50 USD. For that cheap of a price, I would be ok with having like no amenities.

 

[ZOONAMI]

And this is why Southwest continues to be the best. Get this convoluted bullshit out of here.

Delta and southwest pretty much both top tier.

 

[Dan]

I'm sure as with all flights, no one will actually police what people are carrying-on or ensure items are placed under the seats.

 

[commedieu]

Ah the preferred airline of white slavery then.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

Depending on the prices, it doesn't seem that bad considering most backpacks fit under the seat just fine.

That said, AA sucks in general, so it really better be significantly cheaper.

One thing I don't understand is why being the "last boarding group" is supposed to be a bad thing and "first boarding group" being a perk. Who the hell wants to spend more time in an airplane?

 

[Stinkles]

Hope they arm the flight attendants with tazers seeing as passengers act like animals in regards to overhead bins already.

A dude once stopped at my seat on his way to the back, opened the overhead bin (which was full) took MY bag out and tried to stuff it in the cubby opposite where the safety equipment was and was certainly going to put his bag in my bag's place.

 

[onadesertedisland]

I can't wait for the airlines to go full shit and pack like 250 standing people into a 737.

 

[Lemaitre]

Get fucked AA.

 

[Stinkles]

Depending on the prices, it doesn't seem that bad considering most backpacks fit under the seat just fine.

That said, AA sucks in general, so it really better be significantly cheaper.

One thing I don't understand is why being the "last boarding group" is supposed to be a bad thing and "first boarding group" being a perk. Who the hell wants to spend more time in an airplane?

You have time to get your bags in before it's full, and then chill in a comfortable seat with an ipad instead of standing in a confused and highly entitled mob waiting for your turn. Ironically I think first boarding is one of the most useful perks.

 

[DOWN]

FYI Delta is doing this too.

 

[Guevara]

One thing I don't understand is why being the "last boarding group" is supposed to be a bad thing and "first boarding group" being a perk. Who the hell wants to spend more time in an airplane?

Anyone trying to carry on their luggage.

The overhead space is all claimed about halfway into boarding, yet most people would rather carryon than check their luggage. The last few suckers often have to gate check their bags.

 

[FlowersisBritish]

Is it finally time to invest in a giant future train that goes across the US? Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaase someone tell me its time for future trains finally!

 

[YuriLowell]

A dude once stopped at my seat on his way to the back, opened the overhead bin (which was full) took MY bag out and tried to stuff it in the cubby opposite where the safety equipment was and was certainly going to put his bag in my bag's place.

I have had this exact same thing happen to me.
I am so glad that I don't fly for work anymore.

 

[tedrotheredro]

Gotta pad those profit margins. Anyone who thinks this is going to make for a cheaper flight is fooling themselves.

AA is already on my shitlist anyway. United I swore off long before their change.

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

Dont know why so many people want air travel to be "luxurious." I just need a chair. I take spirit airlines all the time because you can regularly get round-trip flights halfway across the country for like... $80.

 

[NOLA_Gaffer]

I don't fly particularly often, but I've yet to see a reason to stray from Southwest.

 

[Stinkles]

Dont know why so many people want air travel to be "luxurious." I just need a chair. I take spirit airlines all the time because you can regularly get round-trip flights halfway across the country for like... $80.

I enjoy luxury, but I fly about 100k miles a year and I need to be mobile and sane by the time I get to the work event I am usually going to. I also have a chronic back issue which is exacerbated by sitting in general, and air travel in particular. If I have an aisle seat, I can stretch and stand at will to loosen it up but you don't need to be injured to appreciate basic dignity. Airlines are pushing the edges of that word.

 

[Phu]

Dont know why so many people want air travel to be "luxurious." I just need a chair. I take spirit airlines all the time because you can regularly get round-trip flights halfway across the country for like... $80.

All I want is enough legroom for my feet to not fall asleep and they charge a premium for that.

 

[Flux]

So a bus with wings.

 

[shira]

There is going to be a lot of $50 fee surprises for people.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

You have time to get your bags in before it's full, and then chill in a comfortable seat with an ipad instead of standing in a confused and highly entitled mob waiting for your turn. Ironically I think first boarding is one of the most useful perks.

Anyone trying to carry on their luggage.

The overhead space is all claimed about halfway into boarding, yet most people would rather carryon than check their luggage. The last few suckers often have to gate check their bags.

This is foreign to me, I'll admit. I'm always in the last boarding groups and only once did I find a full overhead bin, and it was in a really small plane. Plus the only carry-on I bring are backpacks and those always fit under the seat. If I need a larger back it's gonna be a big suitcase and I'm gonna check it obviously.

And standing up waiting for a few min (like 1-2 min) to reach my seat is such a small inconvenience, it doesn't even register as one. Since I'm boarding last most people have already taken their seat anyway. Might as well just chill in the lobby and board last.

lol @ comfortable seat though, I guess I only ever fly coach so...

 

[Bay Maximus]

I like how there's a check for boarding pass and then it says 'Last boarding group' like that's a feature. "Yeah, we're letting your poor ass board our plane. Be happy."

 

[Auctopus]

This will become the new standard for affordable flying. Eventually standard will be priced like Business.

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

All I want is enough legroom for my feet to not fall asleep and they charge a premium for that.

I've never had a problem, but I'm also like 5'9" on a good day. That said, I'm pretty sure a seat with extra legroom is like, maybe $9.

 

[Falchion]

As long as I can play the Switch on my flight, I don't care.

 

[Zoe]

It's going to be fun to see them enforce the no overhead space rule. Pack light!

It will be easy since they will be the last group on.

 

[DOWN]

Delta and southwest pretty much both top tier.

Delta already announced this same option prior to this. United as well

 

[R10Neymarfan]

Yep. The (arbitrary and utterly unpredictable) fare will look mysteriously like the old coach fare within six months of "launch."


And the cartel behavior of airlines means they will all laugh about it as they quaff brandy in a club somewhere* so they don't have to put their collusion in writing.


* or the fact that these press releases all act as a wink and a nod to each other anyway.

Great! and there is nothing us consumers can do about it because Airlines are basically an oligopoly in the US. hooray for competition

 

[Violence Jack]

And this is why Southwest continues to be the best. Get this convoluted bullshit out of here.

Agreed.

 

[Phu]

I've never had a problem, but I'm also like 5'9" on a good day. That said, I'm pretty sure a seat with extra legroom is like, maybe $9.

I've never found that to be the case [pricing].

 

[tedrotheredro]

The fact that there's an extra "gate fee" if you bring the carryon to the gate without purchasing it first......that's gonna piss a lot of people off. Wouldn't want to be a gate agent.

 

[krae_man]

How are they going to enforce "No putting your stuff in the overhead bin" short of they are already going to be full by the time people with these tickets board?

Nobody follows the "one item above, everything else goes under your seat" rule now.

I'm always on the cusp of missing out on overhead space. Maybe this will make it more likely I won't have to gate check anything.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Dont know why so many people want air travel to be "luxurious." I just need a chair. I take spirit airlines all the time because you can regularly get round-trip flights halfway across the country for like... $80.

My first and last experience on Spirit Airlines involved them boarding us onto the plane, deboarding us off the plane after announcing technical problems, all the Spirit employees promptly vanishing from the terminal, and an hour later an email shows up on all our phones saying that our flight was cancelled. No Spirit employee ever showed up to let anyone know what was going on or help with rescheduling, and another passenger had to appeal on the intercom to get an airport staff member to finally come by and confirm the cancellation by calling Spirit. "Luxury" is one thing, but when an airline's so cheap they can't even guarantee the basic service of providing a flight you're just wasting your money no matter how low a fare they advertise.

 

[Stinkles]

Alaska is in my opinion the best normal airline by a mile.

Delta is similar, but less consistent. You can have really bad Delta experiences occasionally.

But Alaska is competent, pleasant, comfortable and not nickel and dimey. And their mileage plan is easily the best in the industry. Wonder how the Virgin merge will change things.

 

[ZOONAMI]

FYI Delta is doing this too.

Dammit

 

[RastaMentality]

Dont know why so many people want air travel to be "luxurious." I just need a chair. I take spirit airlines all the time because you can regularly get round-trip flights halfway across the country for like... $80.

The issue is that's Spirit regularly cancels flights at random and won't have any others going out for the rest of the day. One time they cancelled a flight while we were on our way to the airport and customer service was a madhouse when we arrived. Spirit is decent to great for the price when it works, but it doesnt too often for some people.

 

[Zoe]

The fact that there's an extra "gate fee" if you bring the carryon to the gate without purchasing it first......that's gonna piss a lot of people off. Wouldn't want to be a gate agent.

Isn't that typical for checking bags at the gate?