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I feel the same way, but it didn't stop me from booking on an airline that has only economy seating and allows advance seat selection only with its highest fares. But it (RC) is the only airline flying the route (RKV-FAE). I would be willing to pay for advance seat selection, but I'm not willing to pay 2.5× the fare just for that.

Just to be clear, Icelandair doesn't charge for either checked or carry-on bags, and on North America routes allows 2 checked bags.

Then everyone is going to start carrying assistance medical devices. I already carry my CPAP in my carrying on. All that would happen is what has happened with service animals.

I agree, but I also wish that Delta would loosen some restrictions on their Basic Economy fares. Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit all allow seat selection and changes (albeit at a price), so in many cases Delta is selling a product that offers less flexibility than the ULCC's often cheaper options.

I'm personally at a loss as to what educated consumer would purchase an E fare when the standard ticket is often only $10 to $20 more; if I wanted the restrictions of an E fare, I would be flying a ULCC and not a legacy.

^ On Spirit, the boarding pass is clearly marked with a large "NO CARRY-ON BAG".

Maybe it was because it was my first airline and I had no other frame of reference, but in my time as a Spirit GA enforcing the carry-on fee didn't seem to add too much time or hassle. Granted, by the time the passenger got to the gate, they had already been advised both at the ticket counter and at the security checkpoint that the ticket didn't include a carry-on, so it could hardly have been a surprise by that point.

They might, but if the ULCCs can manage to do it with primarily contract employees whose pay and benefits often lag far behind those of their legacy counterparts, I think that the legacy carriers will ultimately be fine.

An amazing thread.

OP asked a simple question. It was easily answered largely because it turned out that it was premised on faulty information.

His simple question turns into 4 pages of frothing-at-the-mouth which repeats numerous other threads on the exact same topic as has been covered time and time and time again.

Y- fares are here to stay, their use is expanding, the public likes them and that defines good value. Yes, it is true that boarding last means that it is more likely than not that OH space will be gone, but DL does not charge for gate-checking compliant bags, so it may be a hassle to be in the last group, but it's not the end of the world.

IMO - and I'm sure many others' - These forums are a conversation.

If you're in a group of, say, 20 people, and one person asks - -

How much is X + Y?

One replies: Z.

Does the group always just break up and walk away? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no.

Banter and dialogue is what makes this forum truly amazing!

What's also amazing, is, that, if you see a discussion that doesn't interest you, there's that little "X" in the upper right hand corner.

:)

I agree. You'd make for really boring dinner company if you couldn't pivot a straight-forward question into a discussion.

Also, on a somewhat related point -- I think it's telling that someone (i.e. the OP) who is a savvy enough traveler to know about sites like FlyerTalk and take the time to post on FlyerTalk is confused about Delta's Basic Economy policy. It highlights the uphill battle that airlines face educating consumers about their policies, especially considering how detailed and convoluted these policies can be.

Yes, and there's also a feature to "ignore poster" which certainly comes in handy! ;)

I disagree fully. The fact that Delta is still allowing overhead bin use is what's got me reading here now because if I don't have enough flights to renew AA Elite status, I don't want to have to deal with it. As others have said, it probably means it being gate-checked anyway from lack of space, but that makes it a gamble and not an automatic fee.

Even though I'm more likely to pay the MC fare instead of Basic, I vote with my wallet and to-date have never given business to an airline that charges for carry-on / overhead space. It's getting harder because legacy airlines are racing to the bottom.