Basic Economy - Trip Report HPN/ATL/HPN
Jan 19, 2018, 7:58 am
#1
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Basic Economy - Trip Report HPN/ATL/HPN
I purchased a Delta Basic Economy ticket HPN/ATL (White Plains/Atlanta). I was going to Atlanta on a business trip; and wouldn’t be checking a bag, so the money saved was worthwhile. Since the flights were Regional jets CRJ-900, the worst seat I could get would be the last row in coach. This jet is aisle/window, so no middle seat to gamble on.
Since this was a regional jet, they bag checked anything that was bigger than normal. The boarding process appeared ‘normal’. Since I have the Delta credit card, I boarded in Zone 1, before the other zones, but after first class and Medallion members. If they were stopping people with larger carryons, I didn’t see it. The gate announced that you could bring on a purse/briefcase and 1 carryon.
I was checking the seat map from 10 days out to the day before departure on both legs. Economy showed 1 seat left in the back, with several Comfort Plus seats (shown in blue on the seat map). Hmmm. Would I get lucky? I did online check in when I received the e mail from Delta at the 24 hour mark. When I arrived at the gate, I was handed 20B, the last row in coach! Gasp. No recline. Based on the experience outbound, I waited until I got to the airport to check in for my return flight. Would I get a better seat? There were no seats left in coach 2 days before the flight. I’m wondering out loud if Delta blocks seats for those that don’t get an assigned seat. At the gate, I told the agent I was in 20B on the outbound, and if possible, could I get another row for the return. He handed my 19C. Oh well. So much for waiting for the last minute to check in to get a better seat. A few minutes later, I walked back to the agent to ask how seats were assigned for Basic Economy. He told me the other gate agent assigned the seats when the gate opened for check in. He made it sound like there was no rhyme or reason to the assignments.
It was an interesting experiment to see what seat I ended up in. Both flights were full. A bit of good news… on the outbound, just prior to the doors closing, the agent boarded and was heading directly to the rear of the plane. As a frequent flyer, I’ve seen this happen before. There were 2 Comfort Plus seats available in row 6, so 20a and 20b (me) were asked to move up for weights and balances.
I’m not sure if I would buy a Basic Economy seat in the future, especially on a mainline jet. The idea of sitting in a middle seat all the way in the back isn’t worth it.
Dan
Since this was a regional jet, they bag checked anything that was bigger than normal. The boarding process appeared ‘normal’. Since I have the Delta credit card, I boarded in Zone 1, before the other zones, but after first class and Medallion members. If they were stopping people with larger carryons, I didn’t see it. The gate announced that you could bring on a purse/briefcase and 1 carryon.
I was checking the seat map from 10 days out to the day before departure on both legs. Economy showed 1 seat left in the back, with several Comfort Plus seats (shown in blue on the seat map). Hmmm. Would I get lucky? I did online check in when I received the e mail from Delta at the 24 hour mark. When I arrived at the gate, I was handed 20B, the last row in coach! Gasp. No recline. Based on the experience outbound, I waited until I got to the airport to check in for my return flight. Would I get a better seat? There were no seats left in coach 2 days before the flight. I’m wondering out loud if Delta blocks seats for those that don’t get an assigned seat. At the gate, I told the agent I was in 20B on the outbound, and if possible, could I get another row for the return. He handed my 19C. Oh well. So much for waiting for the last minute to check in to get a better seat. A few minutes later, I walked back to the agent to ask how seats were assigned for Basic Economy. He told me the other gate agent assigned the seats when the gate opened for check in. He made it sound like there was no rhyme or reason to the assignments.
It was an interesting experiment to see what seat I ended up in. Both flights were full. A bit of good news… on the outbound, just prior to the doors closing, the agent boarded and was heading directly to the rear of the plane. As a frequent flyer, I’ve seen this happen before. There were 2 Comfort Plus seats available in row 6, so 20a and 20b (me) were asked to move up for weights and balances.
I’m not sure if I would buy a Basic Economy seat in the future, especially on a mainline jet. The idea of sitting in a middle seat all the way in the back isn’t worth it.
Dan
Jan 19, 2018, 10:31 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
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Jiburi
Jan 19, 2018, 8:43 pm
#5
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Delta can't change baggage rules post-purchase. When Delta limits Basic Economy carry-ons one can decide baggage strategies accordingly. Until then, enjoy an advantage that AA and UA deny you.
Jan 19, 2018, 8:57 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
The lack of seat assignments (even for a fee) kills me, and is not worth the price difference. I really don't care about the lack of changes or bag fees as I carry light and have my plans set in stone, but I need my seat assignment, I scour the seat map and reviews to get the best one for me.
Jan 20, 2018, 12:20 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
I would sincerely hope not. DL is heads and shoulders above the crowd with this policy, and I was hoping DL would keep itself positioned as the lone standout. This would hopefully encourage AA and UA to re-allow overhead bags for their BE customers. I guess we shall see.
Jan 20, 2018, 10:56 am
#8
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Jan 20, 2018, 10:37 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 1,089
Jan 21, 2018, 9:38 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 948
Thanks for the report. Flying the opposite routing in March (ATL-HPN-ATL) to visit our kid at SUNY Purchase. Figured it was a good route to go with Basic Economy ($120 savings RT per person) as wife and I can deal with being separated for 2 hours and there are no middle seats. I do see a few flights with 717s on this route though so watch out for that. Think we will wait for the airport to get seats and see if we get lucky.
Jul 30, 2018, 7:43 am
#11
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,080
Update.
I flew LGA/ATL/LGA a few weeks ago. This time I checked in online when I received the e mail from Delta. They had already assigned me a seat. I went into my reservation, and was able to change my seat. I moved to a window (from the aisle), and I moved up a few rows. I wonder if I could have done this in January.
dh
I flew LGA/ATL/LGA a few weeks ago. This time I checked in online when I received the e mail from Delta. They had already assigned me a seat. I went into my reservation, and was able to change my seat. I moved to a window (from the aisle), and I moved up a few rows. I wonder if I could have done this in January.
dh