Air Canada has introduced ‘basic economy’ fares on domestic flights within Canada.

• No changes at all and no credit towards future travel if plans change
  
• No standing by for another flight
  
• No mileage accumulation – no redeemable or elite qualifying miles
  
• Higher fees for advance seat selection ($40 – $100 versus the $10 – $50 charged now on the lowest fares)
  
• No upgrades

Unlike United and Delta they haven’t banned basic economy passengers from bringing a rollaboard onto the aircraft.

The goal remains to discourage customers from buying the cheapest fares in hopes they pay more to avoid these restrictions — while not taking their business elsewhere to another carrier.

Copyright: ronniechua / 123RF Stock Photo

Air Canada, like their US counterparts, is investing in premium experience on the one hand while stripping down the entry level experience on the other.

With Delta and its joint business venture partners rolling out basic economy on transatlantics we can expect to see this strategy continue to grow.