Basic economy has spread like the plague among the major U.S. airlines, luring in consumers with the cheapest price … in exchange for a bunch of restrictions. While Google Flights tests out a new feature to make it easier to avoid basic economy altogether, Delta Air Lines is doing the opposite with a booking engine overhaul.
A new user interface at Delta.com that began rolling out recently lumps basic economy and main cabin fares together – under the lower, basic price. Rather than seeing a separate price for each fare type from the outset, travelers now have to click the new “Basic / Main” price.
Only after clicking that “Basic/Main” fare option will you see a breakdown of each fare and its price. And as you can see, it's the cheapest basic price that's listed in the initial search results.
Check out our full breakdown of Delta basic economy fares … and how you can still pick a seat for free!
For reference, here's how Delta.com displayed its fares for years before this new look. The difference between basic economy and main cabin fares is there from the very beginning.
Not everyone is seeing this new interface – only a handful of members of the Thrifty Traveler team got the new look when searching Delta's site on Friday afternoon. But those who did now see this new look on fares all across the globe – whether they're searching for flights bookable with cash or SkyMiles award tickets.
In a statement, a Delta representative said this new look began rolling out in late March and will be complete sometime in early May. The airline called it a more modern look with a dropdown that makes it easier for customers to see what they're getting with each ticket type.
“The change makes it easier to see at a glance what's included with your ticket purchase. It's a more modernized experience overall, common to what customers see across many online retailers,” the airline said.
That may be true, but it could also confuse and maybe even anger some flyers who feel hoodwinked by a cheap-looking fare … only to find it's a stingy basic economy ticket.
With restrictions like extra fees to pick a seat, no free change or cancellation, and boarding last, the difference between main cabin fares and basic tickets is monumental – and at Delta, it's larger than arguably any other major U.S. airline. Delta basic economy fares no longer earn redeemable SkyMiles or credits toward Medallion status. Even with the right premium credit card or a pricey lounge membership, you can't visit a Delta Sky Club with a basic economy ticket in hand.
But Delta isn't the first major U.S. airline to make a move like this – nor the worst offender. That distinction goes to American Airlines, which rolled out an eerily similar layout last year.
But unlike American, Delta clearly labels its two economy fare options “Basic/Main” from the beginning. American, meanwhile, simply slaps a “Main” label over both of them, forcing users to click through in order to see that the initial price is actually for a basic ticket. Delta also gives users an easy way to eliminate seeing basic economy fares altogether with a handy “Best fares for” filter.
Delta said it's also rolling out this new fare display feature to its mobile app. We haven't seen that look yet on our own smartphones.
This is a developing news story, check back for updates.
