Taylor Rains

United is rolling out ‘basic business class’ to make premium flying cheaper. Here’s how it will work.

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United Airlines is changing how people fly in its most expensive cabins.

The airline said Friday it’s soon rolling out new “basic” fares for its Polaris business class and Premium Plus premium economy cabins that strip out some perks — like seat selection and lounge access — in exchange for lower prices.

It’s essentially basic economy for premium seats. The goal is to let customers tailor their experience based on what they actually value, while simultaneously monetizing the growing demand for premium comfort.

For example, flyers who already get lounge access via a credit card can opt out of paying for a bundled perk they would not use. They can also save if they don’t care where they sit or that their ticket is nonrefundable.

United is also targeting travelers who may have considered upgrading but were previously priced out. By dangling the carrot of more “affordable” premium fares, the airline can make money off of seats that would otherwise fly empty.

The on-board experience won’t change. All Polaris customers will still get beds, chef-curated meals, and more privacy; Premium Plus still includes better food, a large recliner, and a leg and footrest.

The unbundled fares will launch “later this year” on long-haul international, transcontinental, and select Hawaii routes. United outlined how its new “Base,” Standard,” and “Flexible” fares will work:


United Polaris fare chart.

The fares have different rules around seat selection, baggage, lounge access, changes, upgrades, and refunds. 

United Airlines



United’s Polaris lounge is more upscale than its regular Club lounges. The upgrade option to United Polaris Studio refers to the new suite-style pod it’s launching on future Boeing 787s in late April.

United is applying the same new fare structure to its Premium Plus cabin. Those revamped fares — also called Base, Standard, and Flexible — mirror the Polaris options, minus lounge access.

United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella framed the changes as offering customers “more choice,” saying the new pay-as-you-go structure will make it “easier to find a fare that includes the benefits they want most — whether that’s a great value, added perks, or maximum flexibility.”

The reworked business class is part of a broader wave of new products, like door-equipped business class and beds in economy, coming to United as it chases premium revenue.

United joins a larger basic business class trend

United is the first US airline to deploy basic premium fares, but it’s not the first globally.

Air France, KLM, Finnair, Emirates, and Qatar Airways have experimented with stripped-down business-class options for years, unbundling seat selection, lounge access, and other previously free add-ons.

Delta Air Lines has also been signaling a similar direction, teasing a “business-class-lite” product since 2024. Former company president Glen Hauenstein, who retired in February, said on a January earnings call that the fare type was a “2026 initiative.”

It’s still unclear how the new à la carte premium structure will ultimately affect pricing or the customer experience. Some industry analysts have said basic business class could gradually erode the traditional premium cabin without necessarily making flying cheaper over time.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group, previously told Business Insider that fares for the new business-class ticket are likely to be similar to current levels, while the cost of fully flexible tickets would steadily rise.

He added, however, that corporate customers who pay for business class primarily to ensure employees are rested and well-fed may welcome lower fares that strip out perks they deem unnecessary.




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I quit my job because I couldn’t afford to rent or buy a house. I then moved to Thailand, where the cost of living is cheaper.

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My stable job in the UK allowed me to save, but rental prices in my area would have taken up a huge portion of my income. Each month, I withdrew from my savings as everyday expenses became luxuries. I still had bills to pay, such as car finance, insurance, gas, phone, and a contribution to my parents’ mortgage.

I couldn’t move out of my parents’ house at 28. My goal was to buy my own place, but this was unrealistic. Renting was just as high as a monthly mortgage payment. Saving for a down payment while renting in the UK was impossible on a single average salary.

Even though I was employed, I couldn’t afford the life I wanted. I felt like I was surviving, not living. I was craving financial freedom and independence, but the UK couldn’t offer them.

Two years prior, I had traveled around Thailand and fallen in love with the food, the pace of life, and the value for money. It was a country that had always been on my mind, and eventually I reached a point where I couldn’t live comfortably in the UK anymore. I felt financially stuck and embarrassed that I was still living with my parents.

The only way out was to quit my job, become a freelancer, and relocate to Bangkok — a city filled with opportunity where housing costs half as much as in the UK.

Staying in the UK no longer felt sustainable

For months, I was figuring out what to do. I could spend years trying to catch up, or I could change my environment and live a more affordable lifestyle.

After researching Thailand and reminiscing about my travels there, I realized it was the perfect country to start my own business as a freelance writer.

While I was backpacking there previously, I ate freshly cooked meals for as little as $1. I looked into rental listings in Bangkok, and I was shocked. A modern one-bedroom condominium with a gym and swimming pool costs as little as $400 a month.


Sally seaton sitting at a table in a restaurant with bangkok skyline in the background

The author in Thailand.



In comparison, the average rent in my area of the UK was around $1,200 — more than a third of my monthly salary before bills. In Bangkok, I could pay half that and have more space and amenities.

I had been building a freelance writing business alongside my 9 to 5 job to create freedom to live in Thailand. By the time I decided to leave, I had one client secured. It didn’t guarantee stability, but there was no positive future for me in the UK.

Last June, I handed in my notice and booked a one-way flight to Bangkok. Within a month, I said my goodbyes, packed up my life, and left the UK behind.

My life in Thailand costs less, I get more, and I’m happier

Moving to a new country alone and starting my own business was terrifying, but I knew it would eventually give me the financial independence I couldn’t find in the UK.

Now that I’m my own boss, I still work hard. But the difference is that I’m building something for myself. In the eight months I’ve lived in Bangkok, my client base has grown. I earn slightly less, but my money stretches further.

I rent my own condominium for $500 a month, which includes a swimming pool, a gym, and a coworking space. My electricity bill is $40 a month, and water costs just $2.

Things that once felt like luxury in the UK are now part of my everyday life. I buy fresh fruit from local markets. I pay $6 an hour for a weekly cleaner. I don’t cook; I eat out every day without calculating whether I should skip it to save money.

Getting around is affordable, too. I no longer own a car. A train journey costs around $1, and bike rental rides start at $1.

Since moving to Thailand, I’ve embraced what the Thais call “sabai sabai” — a stress-free way of life. For the first time in years, I feel fulfilled, financially free, and happy.




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I thought traveling with toddlers was impossible. Now we live in Spain for 2 months at a time — and it’s cheaper than Disney.

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When I was in junior high, I had a family history project. I didn’t know it then, but that project would spark a lifelong interest in my heritage.

In 2018, my wife (who is Cuban with Spanish ancestry) and I took a road trip through snow-capped Spanish mountains, meeting new family members that I never knew existed. When we met these relatives, we all grew close.

My wife and I then wanted to reconnect with our Spanish heritage in a whole new way. We decided that the best way to do so would be to travel to Spain for long stretches, with our toddlers.

For the past three years, we’ve spent two-month stints in Europe as a growing family.

At first, we thought long-term travel sounded impractical — and expensive

When my daughter was 2 years old, she had a 45-minute meltdown at the Miami International Airport. While we were resolving a ticketing issue for our baby boy, our daughter was throwing a loud tantrum. We endured many side-eyes from soon-to-be passengers (one of them snapped at us), and eventually, an airline employee frantically asked us to make it stop.

I thought we would never travel again, but the idea of an extended trip kept lingering in our minds.

On shorter trips, we pushed through and learned tricks that made travel easier, like using inflatable beds that rest on plane seats, small trinkets to play with, and plenty of snacks. With time, we knew we had a shot.


John Paul Hernandez's toddlers sitting on a wall in spain

The author’s toddlers love traveling in Spain.

Courtesy of John Paul Hernandez



We now stay in Spain for 2 months at a time

Thanks to the flexibility of freelancing and some practice in penny pinching, we learned we could travel to Spain for two months for about the cost of a typical family Disney trip.

A trip to Disney for a family of four can cost $6,000 to $10,000 a week. An extended trip to Spain, I quickly learned, ranged from $4,220 to $4,900 for an apartment in the central parts of major cities.

When we book an apartment for a month or two in Spain, for example, we get rates much lower than for a shorter trip because Airbnb offers discounts on longer stays.

To get the family to Europe, we collect airline miles from credit card offers and fly mostly for free.

While on the trip, we rely on public transportation and shift our stay from a “tourist” experience to living like a local to continue saving money.

This worked for our trips in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

We lived like locals in Spain

When we transitioned from visiting to living in Spain, we focused on the town we were in and the people around us. We didn’t eat out for every meal, but cooked traditional dishes with local ingredients.

Our neighbors became friends, and our kids played at parks with familiar faces. Eventually, these friends invited us to their homes, and we stayed in touch after our trips.

To explore the country, we focused on different regions. For example, in year one we stayed in the Comunidad Valenciana, then on other trips in the País Vasco and Andalucía.

Once we were in these regions, we focused mainly on our home base and explored the nearby cities on weekend trips.

Our kids have gained a lot so far

Our toddlers are now willing to try different foods without hesitation, no matter where we are. They understand and use words they normally wouldn’t hear at home in the US.

As they get older in school, some of the places and events they learn about will be personal because they’ve been there and touched the stones.

My son learned to walk in Spain and has had all of his birthdays there. Spain also became a base for exploring other countries thanks to cheap, short flights.

More families can do this than you’d think

Our experiences in Spain have inspired many of our friends and family. I’m helping a cousin and a neighbor plan similar trips with their children.

With budgeting and smart planning, it’s much more affordable than two-week vacations in many parts of the US.

I’m not sure how long we’ll be able to do extended stays like this, but I do know these memories will be ingrained in our family.

They’ve helped shape my kids’ lives (our third child is on the way), and they continue to inspire us even at home in the US — by cooking Spanish meals, enjoying the present through walks, and lingering over late-night, hourslong dinners.

John Paul Hernandez is a marketing writer for tech companies. He’s based in Florida’s Treasure Coast. Connect with him on LinkedIn.




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Used Tesla prices have soared since the end of the $7,500 tax credit, even as other EVs get cheaper

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  • Used Tesla prices are rising as the secondhand EV market booms following the end of the $7,500 tax credit.
  • That’s a relief for Tesla owners, who have seen resale prices plunge in the past few years.
  • The Model S and X saw the largest price hikes. Elon Musk said Tesla would discontinue them to build its Optimus robots.

The market for used Teslas is heating up.

A booming secondhand EV market is pushing used Tesla prices up even as other electric vehicles get cheaper.

The average price of a used Tesla has climbed 4.3% since the end of the $7,500 tax credit for new electric vehicles in September, according to data from used car seller iSeeCars.

The two used EVs with the largest rise in prices were Tesla’s luxury Model S and X vehicles. Musk announced in January that both models would be discontinued in the coming months to make room for the company’s Optimus robot.

The spike comes as other used EVs get cheaper. The average price of used non-Tesla EVs fell 3.6% between September and January, per iSeeCars data. The exception was the Porsche Taycan, which was the only non-Tesla model to see used prices rise.

With the auto industry in the grip of an EV winter as prices soar and automakers cancel new models after the end of the tax credit, electric vehicle buyers are turning to the used-car market.

Sales of used battery-powered vehicles surged 21% in January from the previous year, per data from Cox Automotive, even as sales of new EVs fell nearly 30%.

That’s good news for Tesla. The brand dominates the used EV market in the US, with used Teslas outselling Audis, the second-largest retailer, by more than 10,000 vehicles in January, per Cox figures.

It’s also a relief for Tesla owners, who have seen their resale values collapse in recent years.

Used Tesla prices have been in freefall since 2022 and hit new lows last year amid backlash over CEO Elon Musk gutting government spending through his role at DOGE, which he has since left.

Tesla fans disappointed that the company never made its long-promised $25,000 EV do have a consolation prize — a secondhand Model 3 now sells for an average price of $25,700.




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YouTube TV is planning to launch a cheaper ‘skinny’ sports bundle following its battle with Disney

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YouTube TV will unveil new prices soon. But this time, it will be good news for sports fans.

YouTube is launching a set of cheaper, slimmed-down versions of its popular live TV service in 2026, which it’s calling “YouTube TV Plans,” the video giant announced on Wednesday. One of the new plans will be a sports bundle that provides access to ESPN Unlimited, FS1, and NBC Sports Network.

While YouTube TV isn’t yet revealing pricing for these 10 or so genre-specific packages, they’ll cost less than the Google-owned service’s typical rate, which is $83 a month.

“Our goal is to let you tailor your subscription with more options,” said Christian Oestlien, YouTube’s head of subscriptions, in a statement. “Whether you stick with our main YouTube TV plan with 100+ channels, focus on sports, combine sports and news, or select a plan centered on family or entertainment content, subscribers will be able to easily choose the plan that works best for them.”

YouTube TV secured the rights to form these so-called “skinny bundles” after hard-fought negotiations with Disney, Comcast’s NBC, and Fox. YouTube TV’s battle with Disney was especially intense, as it left subscribers without ESPN and ABC for 15 days.

Justin Connolly, YouTube’s global head of media and sports, said at a media event on Tuesday night that YouTube worked with its partners on “ingesting the entirety of the sports programming” in its service, so that YouTube TV can be a one-stop shop for sports fans. Besides aggregating live games, Connolly said YouTube is being fan-friendly by aiming to “meet the consumer where they are” on price.

YouTube TV’s price has steadily increased since it launched in 2017 at $35, though it’s also added more channels. Last December, YouTube TV’s monthly price rose by $10.

Other TV providers have launched sports-focused skinny bundles, with some tradeoffs.

Fubo’s $55.99 a month Sports + News bundle includes all of ESPN and Fox’s channels, plus CBS and the NFL Network, but it doesn’t have NBC or Warner Bros. Discovery’s networks like TNT or TruTV. It also doesn’t have the news networks CNN and MS Now (formerly MSNBC), though it has Fox News.

Sling TV’s Orange & Blue bundle goes for $60.99 and has ESPN, Fox with cable sidekick FS1, WBD’s channels like TNT and CNN, and the NFL Network. It also carries local channels like NBC and ABC in certain markets. But Sling doesn’t have a deal with CBS, plus its main bundle doesn’t include specialty sports networks like the SEC Network, the Big Ten Network, or NBA TV. Sling offers a Sports Extra add-on for $15 a month on its main plan, bringing the total to $76.

DirecTV’s MySports package costs $69.99 but is more comprehensive, with the full suites of ESPN, Fox, and WBD, plus all four major local broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox (with possible exceptions in certain markets). It also carries the flagship networks for four major US sports: the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.

Sports fans could complement those skinny bundles by buying a digital antenna or by using streaming services like Peacock or Paramount+ that give access to NBC and CBS, respectively.

ESPN also offers a subscription to its entire suite for $29.99 a month, or a bundle with competing streamer Fox One for $39.99 a month.

YouTube said its new sports plan will have ESPN’s full suite of programming plus sports channels from Fox and NBC, with the option to add on NFL Sunday Ticket and RedZone for more money. Otherwise, it’s unclear exactly which channels this bundle will have.

As YouTube TV’s sports bundle enters the market, sports fans have more choices than ever. The challenge for them now is finding the right plan.




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