New AA Basic Y Fares

[Pleb Status]

Following the lead of DL and UA, AA are introducing a new basic Y fare class/es.

Newsroom - American Airlines Introduces New Basic Economy Fare - American Airlines Group, Inc.

The no hand luggage fare condition would make it unworkable for me. I hope this does not give our airlines any ideas.

 

[serfty]

I believe the maximum personal item size of 18″ x 14″ x 8″ (105cm) is surprisingly large.

 

[drron]

What they refer to as carryon is the size we normally check.

 

[Pleb Status]

They are pretty clear that the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. So that limits you to a small backpack or similar (and nothing else). The fare would need to be substantially cheaper to make it worthwhile.

 

[dajop]

The no hand luggage fare condition would make it unworkable for me. I hope this does not give our airlines any ideas.

But would it be unworkable, given your QF status and the clause below?

Elite customers and eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers will be allowed to bring one personal item, one rollerboard, and they maintain their current free checked bag allowance.

It's not entirely clear if that applies only AAdvantage elites (as mentioned below the table) or extends to oneworld elites as well.

I think the only reason stopping the "jetstar-isation" of QF operated services (like in Europe with and now in the US with mainline carriers), is well Jetstar. QF segmented the market across different planes/brands, in Europe and US they are segmenting within planes/brands to compete with independent LCCs.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

They are pretty clear that the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. So that limits you to a small backpack or similar (and nothing else).

Last to board (for those without status in AA's new Group 9) virtually guarantees no overhead space anyway.

But would it be unworkable, given your QF status and the clause below?

Elite customers and eligible AAdvantage® credit cardmembers will be allowed to bring one personal item, one rollerboard, and they maintain their current free checked bag allowance.

It's not entirely clear if that applies only AAdvantage elites (as mentioned below the table) or extends to oneworld elites as well.

Not clear but "elite customers" would most likely include oneworld elites (who will be in Groups 2-4 in the new priority boarding order).

Some hope that no large carry-on would make boarding quicker. But it also has the potential to make things even slower if staff have to deal with arguing customers and/or process payments and get bags checked. Alternatively, at that final stage they may be more concerned with completing boarding and on-time departure than trying to enforce the rules.

The fare would need to be substantially cheaper to make it worthwhile.

Basic Economy Fares Don't Lower Ticket Prices, They Increase Ticket Prices - View from the Wing

I hope this does not give our airlines any ideas.

On the one hand the market here is very different since QF and VA operate their own LCCs, so the competitive environment isn't the same as for the legacy US carriers.

On the other hand VA has unilaterally introduced something similar with its restrictive Getaway fares. And if they hadn't acquired TT they probably would have gone further with the basic economy concept.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Some additional details at Revealed: What American Airlines Didn't Tell You About Its New Basic Economy Fares - View from the Wing

While basic economy boarding passes will be clearly marked (the "Scarlet B"), evidently there will be no difference once aboard.

The personal item has to fit under the seat in front but can still be stored in the overhead compartment, at least for those with priority boarding. Those without status will be the last to board, with little chance of any overhead storage remaining by that stage. So while the carry-on restriction is punitive, it is also pragmatic.

And in the event of IRROPS, basic economy pax won't be put on other airlines and will also be at the bottom of the list for re-accommodation on AA.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Is Basic Economy the Next TED, Song, and MetroJet - View from the Wing

United admits they’re losing business because of basic economy. American hasn’t fully rolled out its Basic Economy yet, and Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska all offer better products at their lowest fare. They believe once American dutifully continues to play the greater fool they’ll be fine.

Yet American beat analyst expectations and earned nearly a billion dollars in the second quarter without having rolled out Basic Economy, why would they want to continue to dumb down their product and eliminate their competitive advantage over United while becoming more like Spirit and Allegiant — when Spirit’s and Allegiant’s margins are declining year-over-year more than the industry’s average, and Frontier has delayed its IPO?

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Bought Basic Economy? American Expects You to Fly Into Floods and Terrorist Attacks - View from the Wing

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Why I (Sort Of) Respect American's Ridiculous Upcharge For Avoiding Basic Economy - One Mile at a Time

 

[moa999]

Do oneworld Sapphire/Emerald get the same benefits as AA elites.

Ie. Still have priority boarding, access to luggage bins and free checked bags?

 

[serfty]

Do oneworld Sapphire/Emerald get the same benefits as AA elites.

Ie. Still have priority boarding, access to luggage bins and free checked bags?

Generally yes.

Some anomalies such as a difference between confirmed same day change and standby costs.