So you’re looking to book a flight. But you can’t figure out which seat to buy. There’s so much to question: from basic economy vs standard economy vs premium economy. Then you’ve got the business and first class seats too. So many options and all in one airplane.
But what seat is the best value? What will get you to your destination cheapest and what’s actually worth buying? Well the answer depends on what you’re priorities are and how much you’re bringing along with you for luggage. So keep reading to see what seat class you should book on your next flight.
Basic Economy vs. Economy: What to book
Basic economy
What is it? Basic economy is the most budget-friendly fare class. The prices for the seats are the cheapest options. However, basic economy comes with a lot of restrictions in exchange for those cheap prices. While the restrictions will vary somewhat airline-to-airline, you’ll likely be unable to change your flight, choose your seat, or have a carry-on piece of luggage. This fare class is is designed for travelers who prioritize cost savings over convenience and perks.
Best to book if: you’re looking to save money, don’t need flexibility, and are fine with limited perks such as no seat selection or restricted baggage options.
Pros
- cheaper
- same cabin experience
- can still be a lower cost even when booking last minute trips
- don’t have to pay with extras you don’t need or won’t use
Cons
- no seat selection
- limited or no carry on baggage
- no changes or cancellations
- last boarding group
- no upgrades or loyalty benefits (ie frequent flyer miles)
Standard economy
What is it? Standard economy is the second cheapest fare class, after basic economy. It offers a bit more flexibility than basic. Both fare classes are within the same physical seats on the plane. The benefits in purchasing standard over basic is in having options to change your flight, choose your seat, and bring more luggage along with you.
Best to book if: you want more flexibility, the ability to choose your seat, and carry-on baggage, while still keeping costs relatively affordable compared to premium classes.
If you’ll be traveling with a lot of luggage (think moving into college, study abroad, or other longer-term travel plans that require taking a lot of belongings along) standard is typically the cheapest overall fare to book. While the upfront seat cost will be higher than a basic seat, the overall baggage costs will be lesser, making the total out of pocket cost less.
Pros
- seat selection
- carry on baggage allowance, sometimes checked baggage allowance too
- flexible ticket options
- earlier boarding group
- upgrade eligibility
- miles or elite status accrual towards airline loyalty programs
Cons
- higher cost
- same seating options and in the same cabin as basic
- change fees (you usually need to book business or higher to avoid those)
- paying for extra benefits (luggage, seat choice, etc) whether you use them or not
TL;DR Summary on basic economy vs economy seats on flights
Basic Economy is ideal for travelers looking to save money who don’t mind sacrificing flexibility and comfort. It’s best if you’re primary concern is how much money is leaving your wallet. It’s also best only if you are certain of your travel plans and dates, as you won’t be able to change your itinerary once booked. Standard Economy is better suited for those who value seat selection, flexibility, and more baggage options. If you will need to be traveling with lots of items, standard economy can actually end up the cheaper choice. You won’t have to buy as much checked luggage so even with a higher seat price than basic, it can end up the cheaper choice in the long run.