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No-frills, basic-economy tickets are still not the cheapest way to fly

Frontier Airlines jetliners sit stacked up at gates at Denver International Airport.
Frontier Airlines jetliners sit stacked up at gates at Denver International Airport.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
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To fend off low-cost competitors, American and United airlines last month began selling bare-bones tickets called “basic economy” fares that don’t allow changes, cancellations or upgrades.

Basic economy passengers are allowed onboard the plane last and can bring only a small carry-on bag that fits under the seat. If they bring a bigger carry-on bag for the overhead bin, they must pay a “gate fee” in addition to a checked-baggage fee.

With all of those restrictions, you might expect that the basic economy fares would be a lot cheaper than seats offered by low-cost carriers such as Spirit and Frontier airlines. Not always.

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A study by ThePointsGuy, a travel tips website, found that American and United basic economy seats can be up to 185% more expensive than seats offered by low-cost carriers.

The study reached this conclusion by examining 10 routes flown by American and seven routes by United — routes also served by low-cost carriers.

For example, on flights from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport, a basic economy seat on American sells for an average of $136, or 51% more than a seat on Frontier Airlines, according to the study, which calculated fares from March 1 to April 30.

Representatives from the two airlines defended their new fares, saying the basic economy seats come with more convenient schedules plus food and entertainment amenities not offered by low-cost carriers.

“Basic economy allows our customers to adapt their travel experience to their needs,” American spokeswoman Polly Tracey said. “It’s not a new discount, but a new set of attributes for our lowest fares.”

hugo.martin@latimes.com

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