JetBlue is planning discounted "Base" fares for its coming first-class cabin, which is expected to launch later this year.
Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
Do you have champagne taste but beer money? JetBlue has a solution.The US airline is pitching a lower-fare option for its upcoming first-class cabin, BlueFirst. Travelers just need to be willing to sacrifice some flexibility.BI's aviation expert Taylor Rains has all the details on JetBlue's "Base" pricing option.It's not just JetBlue's BlueFirst getting the Base treatment. Except for Mint, its highest-end cabin, all of JetBlue's seating options will include a "Base" fare option. Base fares for travelers don't include seat selection and have limited cancellations options. "Standard" fares function like a typical ticket while "Flex" offers … the most flexibility.JetBlue is following in the footsteps of rival airlines Delta and United by embracing the "basic premium" concept. The idea is to lower prices for travelers by unbundling the perks some people might not want to pay for.Delta and United's cheaper fare options take things a bit further than JetBlue, limiting the number of checked bags and lounge access a customer might have with a standard ticket.So how much cheaper are these tickets? The price differential for JetBlue is unclear, but another airline offered an example.
