Basic B*tching: 12 Hilarious Tweets About Basic Economy
By Kathleen Burns on November 18, 2019, 4 minute read

Lola.com’s running collection of the best (well, worst) tweets about flying basic economy & budget airlines
Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by a Basic Economy fare.
*every single hand on Twitter goes up*
As per usual, frequent travelers are feeling extremely vocal about the frustrations they meet while on the road. The most recent victim of Tweeters' spite? Basic economy fares. And for good reason.
Here are some of our favorite tweets about flying basic economy.
It all started with this lovely comment.
Flying “basic economy” on United and not only did they force me to pay to check my carry-on, they have lined every seat from row 30 back with those spiked strips cops use to pop tires
— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) November 17, 2019
Which then lead to a pretty rowdy thread of Basic Economy horror stories.
This is true. I flew basic economy, and on top of throwing cigarette butts at us they told us the oxygen masks that would deploy have already been filled with car exhaust
— Timmy two-tits (@Burniedankers) November 17, 2019
Thanks for the huge laugh today. I was on an almost empty flight with a basic economy fare and went to put my carry on in the overhead bin. The attendant literally said, “Don’t you dare.” 😂😂😂
— Amy Eldridge (@amy_lwb) November 18, 2019
Including some forewarning that may warrant concern.
Well yeah, someone in first class paid for their Doberman to sit there.
— Maria Max (@MomMaxie) November 18, 2019
And the obligatory unnecessarily sarcastic input.
I did something really weird. I read the fine print.
— dadude (@ukwebfan) November 18, 2019
This one just made us sad.
I flew basic on Delta and had to beg to sit with my child.
— Eliza (@revelizafleming) November 18, 2019
Not kidding.
Basic Economy: Where even safety isn't for sale.
When I flew basic with American they gave me a seat w/ no seatbelt. When I mentioned this to the flight attendant he laughed and said good luck.
— 👩🏾💻 (@ms_amERICA_) November 18, 2019
This poor mate is in for a tough travel experience through the US. And fellow sufferers were not hesitant to let him know.
I'll pray for you. I mean, I'm an atheist, but that's what you get for picking basic economy.
— Zachary Johnson (@chicagomixology) November 18, 2019
And this is why we have trust issues.
one time in united basic economy, i asked to pay for food, and they said there wasn't any available. When I went to the bathroom, I saw the stewardesses heating up leftover packages as they smiled and laughed at me.
— Natalina Lopez (@lopez_natalina) November 18, 2019
This initial thread lead us down our own Twitter rabbit hole of basic fare complaints. Turns out, some people still aren't scared off. Challenge accepted.
United basic economy: are you sure you want to book this flight? You will not have access to the overhead bin for a carry on.
— Laura Lou Delehanty (@LauraDelehanty) November 16, 2019
Me: pic.twitter.com/V05U83eLHB
Wishing the best of luck to this guy. Odds he ends up in the cargo hold?
I'm flying @Delta transatlantic Basic Economy tomorrow. It has been selling regular economy seats for $55 (!) which I laughed at. Went to check in and not one seat is available. Wonder where I eventually end up. pic.twitter.com/E28YUDL0IH
— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) November 10, 2019
...Or in the bathroom?
Basic economy seating is easy. There are always exactly the same number of seats available as there are lavatories. You do the math.
— Brent (@normalvisual) November 10, 2019
So..anyone still willing to risk Basic Economy?
Bueller? Bueller? We don't blame you.