Consumer Reports – December 2018

BASIC ECONOMY STANDARD ECONOMY ENHANCED ECONOMY

Understanding the New Economy Class

AMERICAN, DELTA, AND UNITED NOW OFFER THREE LEVELS OF DOMESTIC ECONOMY CLASS, RANGING

FROM A CHEAP AND RESTRICTIVE BARE-BONES FARE TO A ROOMIERAND PRICIER

SEAT WITH ENHANCED PERKS. TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE ONE THAT BEST MEETS YOUR NEEDS AND

BUDGET, THIS CHART SHOWS HOW EACH STACKS UP AGAINST THE REST.

SEAT WIDTH

SEAT SELECTION

WHEN BOOKING

INCLUDED IN FARE

PRIORITY

BOARDING €

CARRY-ON BAG

FREE BEVERAGE

FREE SNACK

FREE IN-FLIGHT

ENTERTAINMENT

FIRST CHECKED

BAG FEE ‹

SAME-DAY TICKET

CHANGE FEE ‹

American: 33 inches

Delta: 3 4 inches

United: 3 4 inches

American: 16.6 to 17.8 inches

Delta: 17. 3 inches

United: 17 to 17. 3 inches

Yes

American: $9 to $ 74

Delta: Yes

United: $15 and up

American/Delta/United:

1 bag (Delta offers

dedicated space)

United: Yes

American/Delta: Yes

(with beer, wine, and spirits)

Yes

Yes

$3 0

American/Delta: $ 75

United: $ 200

3 0 to 3 1 inches

American: 16.6 to 17.8 inches

Delta: 16. 3 to 17. 3 inches

United: 16 to 17. 3 inches

No

No

United: No

American/Delta: 1 bag

Yes

Yes

Yes

$3 0

No changes allowed; value

forfeited if not used

Same as in

basic economy

Same as in

basic economy

Yes

American: $9 to $ 74

Delta: $ 15

United: $15 and up

American/Delta/United:

1 bag

Yes

Yes

Yes

$3 0

American/Delta: $ 75

United: $ 200

SEAT PITCH ⁄

Sources: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Aircraft data are for the Boeing 7 3 7 Max (American), 7 3 7-900ER (Delta), and 7 3 7-900 (United). Standard economy is called Main Cabin on

American and Delta, and United Economy on United. Enhanced economy is called Main Cabin Extra on American, Delta Comfort+ on Delta, and Economy Plus on United. ⁄Distance from a point on a seat

to the same point on the seat in front or behind. €Some passengers may qualify for free priority boarding. ‹Certain fees and restrictions may be waived for elite frequent flyer or credit card members.

ICONS:

MARTÍN LAKS

MAN