United Offers Stripped-Down Economy Fare

United Airlines will introduce an “entry-level fare” designed to appeal to the “purely price-sensitive” customer in the second half of the year, Jim Compton, vice chairman and chief revenue officer, said during the company’s earnings call.

Delta offers a stripped-down, “Basic Economy” fare that does not allow advance seat selection or flight changes, and American has indicated that it plans a similar move this year.

United also will roll out bundled fare offerings this month, Compton said. The bundles will allow customers to purchase a collection of products suited to their travel as opposed to a more manual process of selecting from an à-la-carte menu.

Oscar Munoz, United’s chief executive officer, participated in the call, his first since being named CEO in September and subsequently suffering a heart attack.

— Michele McDonald