Airlines are offering 'basic premium' fares. Beware the potential catch.
JetBlue is introducing 'Base' fares for its upcoming first-class cabin, which excludes perks like seat selection and flexible cancellation. This move follows a broader industry trend of unbundling premium services to offer lower entry prices, similar to strategies used by Delta and United.
Why it matters
This trend reflects a shift in airline pricing models where premium experiences are increasingly commoditized, potentially leading to higher total costs for consumers who require standard travel amenities.
JetBlue is planning discounted "Base" fares for its coming first-class cabin, which is expected to launch later this year. Thomas Pallini/Business Insider This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter. You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here . Do you have champagne taste but beer money? JetBlue has a solution. The US airline is pitching a lower-fare option for its upcoming first-class cabin, BlueFirst. Travelers just need to be willing to sacrifice some flexibility. BI's aviation expert Taylor Rains has all the details on JetBlue's "Base" pricing option . It's not just JetBlue's BlueFirst getting the Base treatment. Except for Mint, its highest-end cabin, all of JetBlue's seating options will include a "Base" fare option. Base fares for travelers don't include seat selection and have limited cancellations options. "Standard" fares function like a typical ticket while "Flex" offers … the most flexibility.
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