JetBlue announced today that they will launch basic economy next year in hopes to gain customers who are looking for lowest fare options. “Customers who opt for this fare will agree to some limits, which might include things like boarding order, seating and change/cancelation flexibility, but we will not make them feel like second-class citizens.”

JetBlue Announces Basic Economy Added Next Year

As reported by JetBlue Blog:

Inspiring Humanity in a World of Basic Economy

Later next year, we’ll evolve our current fare options (Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Flex) to give Customers the choices they want. This will attract ultra-low-fare seekers to JetBlue, where we can take better care of them than other airlines do. We’ll have options for the many Customers who shop on experience and loyalty too.

We are being careful to limit operational impact and keep our mission of humanity front and center. It’s too early to share brand names and specific features, and the IT work is just starting, but here’s a preview:

Our new lower fare will be anything but basic, designed to help Customers save while still offering the full JetBlue experience – the most legroom in coach*, free inflight entertainment, free Fly-Fi internet, free snacks and soft drinks, no overselling of flights, carry-on bag and personal item included, and great service. Customers who opt for this fare will agree to some limits, which might include things like boarding order, seating and change/cancelation flexibility, but we will not make them feel like second-class citizens.

We will also broaden the appeal of our other fare tiers. For example, very few Customers today select Blue Flex. We can boost interest in that fare if we lower the price and focus on Customers who value speed in the airport and change/cancel flexibility (see Blue More below).

Bottom Line

Delta, American and United all offer a similar offering to compete with low, low cost carriers like Frontier. Next year, JetBlue will join in with their own Basic Economy offering. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

HT: JetBlue Blog