Is it actually economical to fly basic economy?

If you're looking to save money on flights, choosing the lowest cost fare seems like it would make the most sense. And in theory, that means booking basic economy.

But with the plethora of restrictions that airlines have placed on basic economy, from no seat selection to no option to change or cancel your trip, it raises the question of how much you're really saving in the long run — and whether those savings are worth it.

How much does flying basic economy actually save?

based on its analysis of "dozens of round-trip routes in 2024" for six major airlines.

Exactly how much you will save "can vary widely by both airline and specific flight route," said NerdWallet. The most significant savings were with Hawaiian Airlines, followed by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Price differences between basic economy and main cabin were less notable for United Airlines and JetBlue Airways.

However, beyond just fare price, it's also worth factoring into your calculations what you will lose by booking basic economy, and what additional costs you may end up taking your wallet back out for.

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And perhaps your greatest opportunity to lose out is if something happens and you need to change or cancel your flight. "On almost every major airline in the U.S., apart from JetBlue, you cannot change or modify your basic economy fare," said Travel + Leisure, which "means that if you need to make any changes, you have to buy an entirely new ticket."

When does it make sense to fly basic economy?

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or credit toward elite status at all. Similarly, while United and JetBlue do not permit an overhead carry-on bag with basic economy, Delta and American do.

What are other ways to save on flights?

If basic economy doesn't seem like the right pick for you, luckily there are alternative ways to save when flying. These include:

, citing Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel site Hopper.

You can also save by "booking mid-week travel dates instead of weekends and booking for the off-peak months outside of the usual June through August summer peak," said Time.

. You can even set up a price tracker using a third-party website, which will notify you if and when airfares drop.