United Airlines is bringing its most restrictive basic fares into premium cabins.
The airline said on Friday that the option will be available in the airline’s premium economy and business class cabins, which offer wider seats, more legroom and more services than in the economy cabin, but typically at many times the cost.
The new base fares will exclude many features of standard fares and be the cheapest available for the seats in those premium cabins. Unlike standard and flexible fares, the new base fares do not include seat selection, which will be available for a fee; they are also ineligible for changes, refunds and upgrades; and they offer one checked bag, per passenger, instead of two.
In United’s business class cabin, called United Polaris, base fares will exclude access to United’s higher-end Polaris airport lounges, which is included in standard and flexible fares, but will retain access to United Clubs. Flexible fares offer the same perks as standard fares, but are fully refundable to the original form of payment.
The new fares, which will be available in some markets this month, will be sold on some flights to and from Hawaii, coast-to-coast U.S. flights and long-distance international flights. Standard and flexible fares will still be available.
“These new tiered options give customers more choice and make it easier to find a fare that includes the benefits they want most — whether that’s a great value, added perks or maximum flexibility,” Andrew Nocella, United’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement. But some travelers and consumer advocates worry that it will result in higher ticket prices for the existing options.
United is the industry’s second-most profitable airline, thanks in large part to its premium offerings. Executives at Delta Air Lines, which is the profit leader for the same reason, have said the airline is exploring a similar move.
Seats in premium cabins, where profits are highest, have been in high demand, so much so that airlines are spending billions of dollars to add more. Such tiered fares have been essential to airline sales strategies, helping to persuade customers to pay marginally more for additional perks.
Niraj Chokshi is a Times reporter who writes about aviation, rail and other transportation industries.
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