Delta Air Lines was the first to offer basic economy fares on a select number of routes in 2012, but all of the other legacy airlines soon followed, offering their own version and changing the restrictions over the years.

Delta Air Lines officially introduced its "Basic Economy" fare class in March 2012, making it the first of the major "Big Three" U.S. carriers to do so. Initially, the product was rolled out as a pilot program in select domestic markets, specifically aimed at competing with ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier. This fare class was designed for price-sensitive travelers who are willing to forfeit certain amenities in exchange for the lowest possible ticket price. Over the following years, Delta expanded Basic Economy across its entire domestic and international network. Passengers booking this tier are restricted from choosing seats in advance, are ineligible for upgrades (regardless of medallion status), and cannot make changes or receive refunds once the ticket is purchased. While it started as a niche experiment to regain market share from budget airlines, it has since become a permanent fixture of the airline industry, with American and United eventually following suit with their own versions of the restrictive fare class.