MORE airlines are following
the trend of rebranding
economy-class fares into
three options, differentiated by
checked baggage inclusions,
date and cancellation
penalties.
KLM and Kenya Airways are
the latest airlines to rebrand
their economy-class fares,
with KLM introducing no-bag
fares similar to the rebranded
offerings of airlines like Virgin,
British Airways, Iberia and
El Al.
Agents have previously told
TNW that no-bag fares were
receiving very low uptake from
clients who required checkedin luggage for long-haul flights.
It is therefore interesting
that regional airline KQ, has
decided to maintain checked
baggage as part of the fare
while long-haul carrier, KLM,
has removed checked-in bags
as an inclusion.
KLM’s new economyclass options include Light,
Standard and Flex. Light fares
are non-refundable, include
hand luggage only and charge
a US$180 (R2 586) flight
change fee. Standard fares
are also non-refundable with
a US$180 flight change fee
but also include both hand
luggage and one piece of
23kg check-in baggage. Flex
fares are non-refundable after
departure but have a US$240
(R3 448) cancellation penalty
available before departure.
Flex fares offer free flight
changes and include hand
baggage and one piece of
checked baggage.
KQ’s new economy-class
fares have been rebranded as
economy standard, economy
flex and economy full flex,
but the airline is retaining
free checked baggage
with all three options. The
new economy fares are
differentiated by the cost to
change or cancel a ticket.
All options still include
complimentary checked-in
baggage.
