DALLAS (AP) -- American and United have started selling cheaper "basic economy" fares as they battle discount airlines for the most budget-conscious travelers.
American announced early Tuesday that it began selling the new fares for flights starting March 1 on 10 different routes from its hub airports in Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Now United says it, too, is selling cut-rate tickets on some flights from Minneapolis to seven of its hub cities, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Basic economy fares are often $20 to $40 cheaper per round trip, but they come with severe restrictions -- buyers are in the last group to board, and they can only carry a small item that fits under their seat.
