Originally Posted by
ashill
Delta just introduced a new fare class (E) for basic economy. I'd think that would be easier than (for example) AA making S fares highly restricted in this way. No tickets would have been sold in this new fare class without the new rules, so no need to grandfather anything.
You're right, of course, but I've always been under the impression that AA has exactly zero "spare" fare buckets-- which is why a few do double-duty presently (-A- being the most frequently referenced.) I suppose if it's important to them, they can free one up, but again I've been led to believe much harder than it sounds as everything is used as-is.