JFK to Santiago: Basic Economy or Regular Economy- Which is Better?

Flying from JFK to Santiago (STI), the first question that comes to mind is which cabin to fly in. However, before you book a flight, you must choose between airlines that offer economical, convenient service.

Only two airlines serve nonstop flights between JFK (New York) and STI (Santiago). These include flights on both JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines. Your seat reservation will not differ much whether you pay less or more for your tickets. However, everything around your seating changes. Better seat selection, more flexibility to change your booking, and easier boarding determine which cabin to choose.

Most passengers booking seats between these two destinations find their premium economy ticket worth spending because of its flexibility rather than luxury features. This means Blue Basic or Delta Basic Economy is enough for someone who doesn’t want any changes during travel.

Choice Between Airlines Flying from New York to Santiago Nonstop

Before selecting a cabin, let us find which airline serves the route best.

JetBlue dominates most flights between JFK-STI, with the earliest scheduled departure at 5 am and the latest at 11 pm. If we talk about daily connectivity, the NYC-Santiago route remains the busiest individual route flying out of Cibao Airport, even surpassing all other JetBlue routes to different parts of the world. This generally takes 4 hours nonstop in either an Airbus A320 or Airbus A321.

Delta Air Lines also operates this flight nonstop. While the evening departure from New York JFK arrives in Santiago around 2 am, it also offers afternoon departures. Delta operates the Airbus A321neo, seating 194 passengers.

Both airlines split economy into a bare-bones fare and a step-up fare, though the names and fine print differ.

JetBlue Blue Basic vs. Blue on JFK to Santiago (STI) Route

The lowest fare offered by JetBlue Airways is called Blue Basic. Above that, there is Blue, followed by Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and Mint tiers. Blue Basic and Blue offer the same seating arrangements, complimentary Fly-Fi service, and seatback entertainment. Physically, there is no difference in the seat itself.

However, what differentiates these two categories?

• First, seat selections. Passengers traveling under the Blue Basic program must purchase seat selections, which cost about $15-$50 depending on seat availability and how many bookings have been made for a particular flight. Seat selection is free under the Blue program. However, more legroom seats still cost money in this category.
• Another factor that makes them unique is the priority boarding rights each program member receives. Blue Basic members board last. For instance, in Santiago, passengers might have to check their bags because overhead storage is full before they reach their rows. Blue members belong to JetBlue's General Boarding Class.
• If you book a Blue Basic fare, you can't make changes after purchase. Moreover, same-day booking changes and/or standby services aren’t allowed either. Blue fares offer free changes and alteration charges, along with same-day switching options, but they come with a $75 price tag.
• For cancellations on this route, if you cancel a Blue Basic fare for future travel credit, you'll be charged $100 per person, since Santiago is in JetBlue's domestic/Caribbean region, not the transatlantic zone where a $200 charge applies. The Blue fare has no cancellation charges.
• After September 6th, 2024, passengers in both fare classes can now bring a large bag and a personal item onboard. Previously, this gap existed on this route between United and JetBlue because other airlines in the country did not allow Basic Economy travelers to bring any bags into the cabin.
• On mileage, Blue Basic earns 1 base TrueBlue point per dollar spent, versus 3 base points per dollar on Blue and every fare above it. So the loyalty gap between the two fares is real even with the carry-on and in-flight experience now matching.

Delta Basic Economy vs. Main Cabin on This Route

Delta operates with a pricing hierarchy of Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Comfort+, Premium Select, and Delta One. On this route, both Basic Economy and Main Cabin are assigned to the same physical seat configuration. The Delta flight from JFK-STI flies an Airbus A321neo aircraft, which accommodates 194 travelers. The Delta evening flight arrives at Santiago airport somewhere between 1:30 a.m. and 2 am, while another afternoon flight operates daily. Delta's and JetBlue's Basic Economy share similarities, but Delta adds a few extra features.

How does Delta's system operate?

• Seats reserved under Basic Economy can be auto-allocated during check-in or at the airport gate counter. However, if you want one, Delta lets you purchase a specific seat for a fee. This option usually becomes available seven days before departure. You can also select a vacant seat at no charge once the check-in period starts, 24 hours before departure.
• Basic Economy passengers board last among all other classes offered by Delta airlines. Passengers board from Zone 8, which usually means they wait until passengers in Zones 1, 2, and 3 board first. This also means bin space is usually gone by the time they board.
• Modifications to flights booked in Basic Economy are not permitted under any condition outside the 24-hour risk-free reservation period. After the specified booking period, you lose your money if you cancel unless you pay $99 for an eCredit. The city of Santiago falls under the $99 fee category for Delta domestic, Canadian, and Caribbean destinations, while all other flights carry charges equivalent to $199. For flights originating in the USA in Main Cabin, modifications/cancellations are usually free, except for the difference in cost.
• Delta's Basic Economy program offers different features depending on the travel class. Since December 2021, Delta has discontinued SkyMiles and Medallion Qualifying Dollar benefits in the Basic Economy Program. This change applies to all flights booked in the Basic Economy Program category, regardless of route. The earning rate per mile under the Main Cabin category is Delta's default base miles per dollar, and the percentage earned depends on the SkyMiles cardholder's or SkyMiles member's status benefit. Medallion Status does not provide complimentary upgrades on the Basic Economy Program. Moreover, passengers will no longer be able to enjoy lounge access using the Delta Sky Club Membership via credit card starting in 2024.
• Both categories include a complimentary carry-on baggage allowance, and bags not allowed in overhead bins are automatically checked at the gate at no additional charge.

Which Fare to Book for Santiago Flights from New York?

Your fare depends on who you are traveling with. Before you finalize your fare and book Santiago flights, understand how baggage, seats, and other in-flight services work.

Neither fare includes checked bags: Travelers may assume the standard fare includes a free checked bag, as it does on some airlines, but not on this route. JetBlue charges $39 to $49 for a first checked bag (more during peak travel dates), whether you're on Blue Basic or regular Blue. Delta works the same way. Both Basic Economy and Main Cabin charge $45 for a first bag and $55 for a second on this route, unless you have Medallion status or a co-branded credit card.

No cancellation covered: This is where it gets riskier. Blue Basic cancellation fee can be up to $100 while Delta fully forfeits the Basic Economy fare. If you are unsure about the trip and even slightly doubt your dates will stay the same, price the standard fare into the comparison.

The Mileage difference: The difference between the two airlines is significant when comparing their mileage programs. The Blue Basic class offers travelers 1 mile for each $1 spent. This mileage rate is comparatively low, although it provides some benefit compared to Delta's program. Since December 2021, no SkyMiles points are offered on Delta's Basic Economy. There is also no possibility of earning any miles toward qualification as a Medallion member based on spending or bookings in the basic economy class.

Traveling in groups or families. Seating isn't guaranteed unless you pay additional seat-selection fees for standard-class tickets. This can be challenging for travelers traveling with a spouse or kids on vacation. In those cases, families of 3-4 may find the extra seat-selection fees cancel out the savings from cheaper Basic Economy Fares.

The Final Verdict

Book Blue Basic or Delta Basic Economy only if you are traveling alone, have fixed travel dates, and couldn’t care less about your seating preference on a less than four-hour flight. If the savings are huge in those situations, the disadvantages hardly matter.

Others might benefit from booking Blue or Main Cabin seats instead. Especially if you need contiguous seating, are pursuing Delta SkyMiles membership, or are flexible on Santiago dates. Between the two airlines, JetBlue Blue Basic is definitely softer on restrictions for basic bookings. This includes earning miles while flying and matching Blue's carry-on baggage policies. In contrast, Delta Basic Economy has several extra fees, mainly tied to SkyMiles memberships and Sky Club benefits, that become clear much later.