News
China Southern introduces basic economy
September 1st 2019
Offering is stricter than China Eastern product. Read More »
Basic economy fares appeared on the China Southern Airlines (CSA) website for booking flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Earlier this year, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) introduced its own basic economy offering, one of the biggest steps in branded fares and merchandising amongst Asian full-service airlines.
CSA’s offering, called “economy light”, is similar to that of CEA. Checked baggage is excluded and changes or cancellations are not possible, even for a fee. Seats are assigned at check-in, upgrades are not possible and passengers on these tickets board last.
But whereas CEA offers the same service once onboard, CSA’s basic economy passengers will not receive a meal service, according to the airline’s website.
CEA’s basic economy offering was perceived as largely mirroring Delta Air Lines, an equity investor and strategic partner in the airline.
CSA’s basic economy fare does not permit mileage accumulation. Its next branded fare – “economy standard” – also does not permit mileage accumulation. The next fare – “economy flex” – earns 25% mileage.
Internet users saw the basic economy fares and took screenshots of the booking process. Since then, CSA’s desktop website shows the basic economy category but such fares are sold out on all dates, according to a spot check on fares. CSA’s app does not show the basic economy category at all.
The initial screenshots show Guangzhou-Kuala Lumpur one-way in basic economy was CNY659 (US$92) while the next fare up was CNY799. This is a smaller difference than the RMB400 variation between CEA’s basic economy and next fare family on a Shanghai-Kuala Lumpur flight.
