dailynewsnblog
Air Canada is following several other major carriers with the recent announcement that it will introduce a basic business and premium economy class fare. The elevated cabins will have a new premium fare category, known as Premium Economy Basic and Business Classic Basic. This comes as the demand for premium travel continues to grow, and aligns the carrier with a number of its airline partners.
The Canadian flag carrier will introduce these new business class and premium economy basic fares on travel within the markets of the Caribbean, Latin America, Mexico and South America. Air Canada’s joint venture for transatlantic travel is also included, aligning the carrier with 
Star Alliance partners 
United Airlines and Lufthansa Group.
Air Canada’s New Business Class and Premium Economy Basic Fares
Air Canada has decided now is the best time to introduce this new fare offering, as the demand for travel in premium cabins continues to grow. The new fare types provide all the benefits of traveling in the premium cabins when onboard, including meals, entertainment, priority boarding and baggage, and Aeroplan (Air Canada frequent flyer program) points and status.
Where travelers will see a difference is the fare restrictions that mean the ticket is nonrefundable, changes will cost an additional fee, and seat selection will cost. Lounge access for Premium Economy fares is not included, however, those in Business Class will be permitted to access the airline’s lounge network, with one caveat: no access to the Signature Suite available at 
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Frequent flyers’ elite status and credit card benefits remain, with one exception: these tickets, when booked in basic, will be ineligible for eUpgrades.
Breaking Down The Details Of The New Basic Fare Types
With these fares set to be rolled out on international services to the Caribbean, Latin America, South America, and on transatlantic travel, it follows a trend of industry partners where more travelers are looking for cheaper airfares in the premium cabins. As analyzed by One Mile At A Time (OMAAT), here are the key differences that will be on offer for those in Business Class Basic and Premium Economy Basic:
Benefits | Business Class Basic | Premium Economy Basic |
|---|---|---|
Refundability | Non refundable | Non refundable |
Changes Permitted | Eligible, for a fee | Eligible, for a fee |
Seat Selection | Eligible, for a fee | Eligible, for a fee |
Checked Baggage | One piece included | One piece included |
Carry On Baggage | Permitted | Permitted |
Lounge Access | Not permitted | Maple Leaf Lounge only (Signature Suite not included) |
Priority Boarding | Included | Included |
Priority Baggage | Included | Included |
Onboard Meals & Entertainment | Included | Included |
Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Earning | Points and status qualifying credits | Points and status qualifying credits |
For those who are focused on Aeroplan earning and points, these fares will still see eligible points and status credits (SQC) earned, with one Aeroplan point per dollar that is spent on the ticket, with elite status members accruing between 2 and 6x Aeroplan points depending on their current status at the time of travel. SQC will accumulate at a rate of 4x SQC for every dollar spent, which aligns it with other fares purchased in the same cabin.
More Choice For The Premium Traveler
It’s no surprise to see Air Canada follow other airlines in offering a basic fare type in its premium cabins. This is to give travelers more choice, and where necessary, only have them pay for the things that matter. While historically the basic fare has been reserved for economy-class cabins, it is now being rolled out across the aircraft on Air Canada.
For travelers, it would be unexpected to see any major fare difference between the two types, with the basic fares likely to be only marginally cheaper depending on dates and destination of travel. Some critics may suggest that basic fares are a way to get more money from customers, with them likely to pay for the seat selection and be faced with higher-than-usual change fees when it comes to amending travel plans.
Air Canada’s new fare offering is part of the airline’s move to offer more choice for the premium customer, while also aligning its onboard offering with its key partners and competitors on highly desirable international markets from Canada.
