The Truth About Basic Economy In The US In 2025

If you haven’t flown basic economy in a while, are thinking about booking the cheapest fare you can find for the first time, or simply want a little market research for your next trip, then this review might help you out. There are some small but potentially deal-breaking differences depending on which airline you choose. We will compare the “big three,” as well as some other famous mainline airlines in the United States, including the top low-cost carrier. The price difference between these Airlines is highly dependent on destination, but the general range is anywhere from $20 to $100. Of the mainline carriers, United is typically the least expensive.

Depending on destination, baggage, and other options, Southwest Airlines can sometimes be around the same or less than UA. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines tends to be on the higher end of the price Spectrum. That’s not to say that the difference in cost doesn’t equate to differences in travel experience. Observations in the form of independent travel reviews and publicly advertised service options show that you get what you pay for. So without any further ado, let’s break it down and break down just what it’s like to travel by air on the cheapest fares in the US.

American Airlines

To start our “no frills” flying travel analysis, we will start with one of the world’s most hated airlines by customer satisfaction surveys, as Click Intelligence and Vice News reported. American Airlines’ (AA) basic economy ticket is cheaper than Main Cabin by a substantial 20% to 30% on many flights. The key difference between the lowest cost and the conventional economy glass lies in the policy restrictions, and not the service itself.

American Airlines has one of the largest fleets in the world, with a diversity of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. In general, legroom is typically 30 inches, and the seat width averages 17 to 18 inches. Whether you book Basic Economy, Main Cabin, or Main Cabin Extra, the in-flight services will all be the same. Basic economy boards in the last group, but you do get one full-size carry-on as long as it fits in the overhead bin.

Main Cabin will alleviate some of the policy restrictions regarding baggage, cancellation, changes, and seat selection that Basic Economy comes with. Meanwhile, Main Cabin Extra gets you a seat with an extra two to four inches, depending on the plane. Basic economy will earn you miles towards AAdvantage, but fewer than a main cabin ticket, and you are not eligible for an upgrade in class at the airport. If you want to select a seat or check a bag, you have to pay a fee. Bags start at $35 online and go up from there at the airport.

Delta Air Lines

Formerly referred to as basic economy, the cheapest airfare available with Delta Air Lines (DL) is the Delta Main Basic fare. Once again, the primary difference between the conventional economy class ticket, referred to as main cabin, comes in the form of service restrictions, but not the in-flight experience. Like American, you get one full-size carry-on bag and board the last group when you fly Delta Main Basic.

Also, like the other members of the big three, Delta’s cheapest airfare makes you ineligible for any paid or free cabin class upgrades after purchasing your ticket. One key difference is that Delta won’t even let you earn SkyMiles when you fly basic economy. Also, like the other carriers, any cancellation or changes to your travel plans come with a fee, and quickly increase the total price.

Delta Air Lines is well regarded for its in-flight service, especially the menu options and catering quality. Seat width and legroom vary but fall in the same 30 to 32 inch range that you find on other carriers, since the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series jetliners are the most common with all airlines.

Delta does not guarantee that travel campaigns will be seated together when flying basic economy. Although the airline does make an attempt to put children as close to their guardians as possible, it’s still not guaranteed, like other carriers. The basic economy tickets on Delta are not significantly more than its cheapest competitors, landing somewhere around 5% to 10% higher on average.

United Airlines

United Airlines (UA) averages a lower price than the other members of the big three: Delta and American. Travel reviews and surveys generally hold United in slightly higher regard than American, but by a slim margin. Some flights and basic economy can be as cheap as $50, but it’s still varies based on timing and the exact itinerary.

UA has the world’s largest commercial aircraft fleet with 1,055 jets, according to Planespotters.net, but legroom and seat width in economy class follow the same range as others. That is owing to the common aircraft that all these carriers fly. The in-flight experience for basic economy is not different from other main cabin airfares, following the industry standard.

The caveat that makes United different is that you can only bring a personal item and are not allowed to travel with a full-size carry-on under the restrictions of the basic economy airfare. Carry-on and checked baggage incur additional fees.

UA is truly the most “bare bones” option on this list. It is only recommended for solo travelers with extremely firm travel plans and carrying only the most essential, minimal items. You will be there in the last boarding group, like the other big three. After the 24-hour window following ticket purchase expires, there are no refunds or changes allowed.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines (AS) calls its basic economy option the “Saver” fare. Alaska tends to be on the pricey side, at least in this comparison. That is backed up by much higher industry and traveler reviews, which generally agree that the service standard and in-flight experience is a cut above the rest.

Service restrictions follow the same general guidelines as other airlines with basic economy options. You do get a personal item and a full-size carry-on, but you are not eligible for upgrades, you cannot choose your seat, and you board in the last group. However, if you do cancel at least 14 days in advance, then the airline will usually give you a 50% credit toward future travel.

Basic economy does not come with any limitations on service during your flight, and you receive the same catering, in-flight entertainment (IFE), beverages, and Wi-Fi service as other passengers on normal economy tickets. Seats are the same as well. So as long as you are confident in your travel dates and times, the downsides are pretty minimal.

Alaska Airlines flies almost exclusively Boeing 737 aircraft. The Boeing 737-900ER and 737 MAX 9 are the most common aircraft, according to Planespotters.net data. But other variants are also in the fleet, including 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8 jets.

JetBlue

JetBlue’s cheapest airfare is called the Blue Basic fare. Playing with JetBlue on the cheapest cabin option still includes free Wi-Fi, seatback entertainment, and the other normal in-flight services that every other economy class passenger receives. You are allowed one carry-on and a personal item, but you will board in the last groups.

One noteworthy point is that the JetBlue seat pitch, or legroom, is generally 32 inches on all aircraft. That beats out the average of 30 to 31 inches on other US air carriers and is a leap and bound above low-cost carriers (LCC) like Spirit and Frontier, which average 28 inches. JetBlue seats are also 18.6 inches wide, which is more than most in the US, at just under 18 inches on average.

JetBlue has exceptionally high reviews on average from both industry experts and freelance travel critics. The service for economy passengers is considered by many to be higher quality than most big airlines, which focus their resources and products on higher-paying flyers. JetBlue does tend to be on the pricier side, like Alaska Airlines, and has a more limited network than the big three.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is no longer considered a low-cost carrier to most; the company itself has moved away from a business strategy that falls into that category by the typical standards. Southwest Airlines has not seen a massive drop in demand since the change of policies, and while its prices are not always significantly lower than the basic economy offered on mainline carriers, it still typically comes in at a lower price point depending on the itinerary.

One of the main changes that occurred in May 2025 was the end of the policy where all passengers were allowed two free checked bags. This was highly controversial, and many longstanding customers voiced extreme dissatisfaction and swore to stop playing with the airline at the time. Most of the major changes, like the cancellation of free checked bags, open seating, and others, will not take effect until the end of January next year.

Once those changes take effect, the service will be essentially the same as Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, and American. Southwest flies an all-Boeing 737 Fleet, which will begin inducting the 737 Max 7 as soon as it enters production. As a result, the legroom, pitch, and seat width are all similar to the ranges seen on jets flown by the big three.