• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » United Airlines » Minneapolis to be Launch Market for United Basic Economy
NewsUnited Airlines

Minneapolis to be Launch Market for United Basic Economy

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 19, 2017 2 Comments

In a call with investors yesterday, United Airlines President Scott Kirby announced that United will begin selling Basic Economy tickets next quarter and Minneapolis (MSP) will be the launch market.

Kirby stated MSP will be the launch city because it serves all seven domestic hubs (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Newark, Washington Dulles) and has a newly-renovated lobby that allows for the self-tagging of bags.

Minneapolis: The Test Case

Domestic and International Line Stations VP Toby Enqvist added–

We will closely watch these first flights with Basic Economy at MSP and the processes at the gate, and we will use feedback from MSP employees to make adjustments if necessary. MSP will be very important in helping us determine if our staffing standards are appropriate and whether the processes flow smoothly.

This is a wise move from United.  I wrote about United Basic Economy last week and expressed concern that United would have trouble closely enforcing the strict carry-on limit, especially when performance bonuses are based upon whether a flight goes out on time. Further, I speculated that United might end up “upgrading” these passengers to EconomyPlus because those seats are often the only ones left prior to departure.

In a note to employees addressing the very situation of EconomyPlus going to Basic Economy passengers, United stated–

It’s possible, but we’ll attempt to minimize those situations. We are working on a few initiatives that will help to identify high-value customers holding standard economy tickets. We can then offer free Economy Plus seats to these customers prior to the check-in window opening in order to free up seats in economy for customers who purchased Basic Economy tickets.

> Read More: Everything You Need To Know About Basic Economy on United

Basic Economy is about raising fares, not lowering them. The point will be to push passengers to pay more for benefits like seat assignments and the chance to earn award miles. Delta has already announced its basic economy program and American just announced its own version of basic economy this week, closely mirroring United’s plan.

Basic Economy Minneapolis
UNITED

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article Review: Lagos to Johannesburg in South African Airways Economy Class
Next Article Setting Up Shop in Pretoria

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Mobile App ConnectionSaver

    United Airlines Launches Mobile App Update With Gate-To-Gate Navigation And Connection Status

    June 27, 2025
  • a row of seats in an airplane

    Delta Adds Rome And Barcelona Flights From Seattle, Edging Out Alaska

    June 25, 2025
  • a sign in an airport

    American Airlines, United Airlines Extend Middle East Flight Cancellations

    June 25, 2025

2 Comments

  1. Sexy_Kitten7 Reply
    January 19, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    That’s a surprisingly brilliant solution! Solves the problem of screwing up people’s E- seat assignments. And it shouldn’t devalue E+ if done correctly (since the same amount of freebies would be given out either way). Of course SHARES would have to be smart enough to know that E- is only “overbooked” by 10 people so only let 10 people move up to E+. Otherwise flights will go out with full E+ and empty E-!

  2. Hugh B Reply
    January 19, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Why has no one offered “fare customization” yet i.e. the cheapest possible fare from ORD-DFW would be $100 and would include only the bare minimum (a seat on the plane, a “personal item”. and a soft drink.) You could buy “extras” i.e. a full carry on for 15$, the ability to upgrade to Y+ for $8, a checked bag for $25, seat assignments for $12 etc. You could buy “bundles” i.e. a $140 fare would allow you flexibility, a full-sized carry on, and upgrades and ticket changes for a fee.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for June

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • Autumn Trip Germany France
    Introduction: A Dark Trip To Germany With A Detour To The City Of Lights June 30, 2025
  • a striped pillow on a window
    Even Europeans Can Be Rude (Like My Seamate On Finnair…) June 30, 2025
  • Biden American Airlines
    “Woke” American Airlines Bumps First Class Passenger To Accommodate Joe Biden June 30, 2025
  • Southwest Airlines Companion Pass
    Southwest Survey Suggests Major Cuts To Companion Pass Eligibility June 30, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Qatar Airways Economy Class Breakfast
    Economy Class Breakfast On Qatar Airways June 7, 2025
  • Favorite Airline Commercials
    My 10 Favorite Airline Commercials June 15, 2025
  • Israel Flight Cancellations
    Major Carriers Extend Flight Cancellations To Israel: Here’s The List June 6, 2025
  • Qantas Lounge Review Hong Kong
    Review: Qantas Lounge Hong Kong (HKG) June 14, 2025

Archives

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.