Alaska Airlines Will Enter Basic Economy Market Later This Year
Photo Credit: A promotional photo of Alaska Airlines check-in kiosks. Alaska Airlines will introduce basic economy fares later this year to better compete in the crowded North American aviation market. Alaska Airlines
Skift Take
Alaska Airlines is turning to basic economy fares to help drive additional revenue. But, hey, at least flyers will be assigned a seat when they book one of these fares, easing some of the stress that usually comes with taking the risk of flying for cheap.
Alaska Airlines will introduce basic economy fares later this year to leverage its increased capacity and better compete against U.S. airlines that have segmented airfares in a race to the bottom.
"We plan to roll out a fare segmentation platform in the late fall, which is essentially Alaska's response to the industry's basic economy fares, which are now prevalent," said Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden on the company's first quarter 2018 earnings call Monday. The new fare class will be rolled out widely in January, 2019.
Its Saver Fares will follow the t
