If there’s anything people can agree on these days, it’s that flying sucks.
And between the delays and cancellations, extreme turbulence, and jets literally falling apart in the sky, it seems that some people have had about enough of flying experiences getting ostensibly worse instead of better.
Which may partially explain the online roasting of WestJet’s new UltraBasic fare, where you can board the plane and that’s about it.
Announced Tuesday, the new “no-frills fare option” doesn’t permit carry-on baggage (unless you’re flying overseas), has pre-assigned seats at the back of the plane, and those who select the fare will be the last to board the plane. They also can’t collect WestJet Rewards.
Even then, an UltraBasic round trip from Toronto to Calgary at the end of June costs about $650.
Just so everyone is clear on this, the airline isn’t trying to sell to a lower market. They’re trying to normalize higher prices for standard fares. By itemizing the things that are normally included, they can pin values on all of them and then make it seem like a deal to “upgrade”.
Ah so they are Delta.
What, you wanted to sit?! Extra money. Bag? Extra money. Oxygen? Extra money.