United: Still no plan for free carry-on bag for basic economy

United will continue its ban on carry-on bags for travellers buying its cheaper basic economy tickets, despite a recent policy change by rival American Airlines. "We're happy with where we're at," Andrew Nocella, United's executive VP and CCO, said on the airline's earnings conference call Wednesday. Nocella said basic economy, which United, American and Delta unveiled in the past few years to better compete with discounters including Spirit and Frontier, is working as designed and that there are no plans to change the bag policy. Delta has allowed a standard carry-on bag with basic economy tickets from the start. American and United introduced their basic economy tickets with a carry-on bag ban. Travellers were allowed to bring only a personal item, such as a purse, backpack or laptop bag, that fit under the seat. All other bags had to be checked for a fee. Those who waited until they got to the gate were hit with standard bag fees plus a surcharge of $25. American reversed its policy in September. United says the policy is designed to make sure travellers are following its basic economy baggage rules and to prevent them from having to pay a surcharge at the gate. <br/>