Seat selection and upgrades are not available. 1  When you choose a Basic Economy ticket, your seat will be automatically assigned prior to boarding, and you won't be able to change your seat once it's been assigned. You will not be eligible to purchase Economy Plus® seating or receive Economy Plus subscription benefits.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx
Delta Basic Economy. 1  Seat assignment at check-in or at the gate. 2  Carry-on is allowed. 3  Last boarding group. 4  Earns mileage and MQMs towards Delta status. 5  No upgrades or preferred seats (not even paid) even for Medallion members. 6  No same-day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, even for Medallion members.
https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-basic-economy/
Basic Economy fares are coming soon to select routes, providing a lower-priced option for our most price-sensitive customers. Currently in United States | English version, enter to change
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx
Basic Economy. We've introduced a new fare option, called Basic Economy, which is now available on select routes. We'll continue to offer standard United Economy® fares as well.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx
Created for our customers who may be more price-sensitive, the lower-priced Basic Economy fares provide most of the same inflight services and amenities that are available with standard Economy — such as food and beverages, United Wi-FiSM and inflight entertainment — but with some important restrictions that you'll want to be sure to review carefully before booking:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx
Delta’s Basic Economy ticket includes carry-on and earns Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) towards elite status. The worst part of the fare is that you won’t receive a seat assignment until check-in or at the gate, and you are in the last boarding group. Mrs. TT purchased two Basic Economy fares in the last month and she did not receive her seat assignment until she was at the gate. It’s likely you will be assigned a middle seat as those are usually all that is left at the gate. It’s also possible you won’t have space for your carry-on bag in the overhead bins.
https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-basic-economy/
Basic economy is a discount fare class that exists within an airline's economy cabin. As a result, the in-flight service and experience will be the same for basic economy as it will be for someone who purchased a pricier main cabin economy ticket.
http://www.businessinsider.com/basic-economy-airline-tickets-american-united-delta-2017-1
View frequently asked questions about Basic Economy. 1  Basic Economy tickets are nonrefundable and non-changeable except as allowed by our 24-hour flexible booking policy — and they cannot be combined with any other fare type. 2  Seat selection: Seats are automatically assigned prior to boarding and can't be changed.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx
Basic Economy. 1  Seat selection and upgrades are not available. 2  Group and family seating is not available. 3  Full-sized carry-on bags are not permitted. 4  One personal item is allowed. 5  Flight changes and refunds are not allowed. 6  Certain MileagePlus and Premier member benefits are not available. 7  Last boarding group.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx
When are you are booking on an online travel agency such as Priceline or Kayak, it won’t be obvious that the fare is Basic Economy until you look at the flight details. Always review this before booking, or simply book directly through Delta. The same goes for United Basic Economy tickets.
https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-basic-economy/
what is a basic economy fare
Basic economy is a discount fare class that exists within an airline's economy cabin.