ALL BUNDLED UP

Aflurry of activity dominated the transatlantic market in the summer of 2018, as a procession of traditionally full-service carriers began introducing new, cheap economy class tickets that did away with the inclusion of check-in baggage allowances. Air France-KLM – following in the footsteps of other legacy airlines like Aer Lingus, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) and TAP Air Portugal – chose to begin offering a new “Light” economy class “hand baggage only” fare on flights departing from April 10, 2018 onwards between Europe and North America. In quick succession, United Airlines, the Lufthansa Group carriers, Air Canada and British Airways all announced plans to introduce similar hand-baggage-only fares on transatlantic routes during the 2018 summer season.

Driven by growing competition from low-cost carriers, these moves were the latest in a series of measures by traditionally full-service airlines across both sides of the pond to offer more “unbundling” options for passengers. These cheaper fares let passengers pick and choose whether to pay for specific additional extras. British Airways, for instance, partnered with retailer Marks & Spencer to introduce buy-on-board food on its short-haul flights back in 2016. Meanwhile, American Airlines had begun