As much as we relish the indulgence of Business class pampering, the reality of budget constraints, fluctuating prices, and individual preferences occasionally nudges us toward the less glamorous option – the long-haul economy venture.😒
Let’s be honest, it’s not the most comfortable flight experience out there. Budget airlines with minimal legroom, less-than-enthusiastic flight attendants, and the absence of sleep-inducing amenities can make those long hours seem endless. It’s the stuff of our travel nightmares. Yet, there are moments when enduring such discomfort in the air is a small price to pay for a more luxurious experience on the ground.
Take, for instance, my recent escapade to Cancun, Mexico. Admittedly, the economy flight wasn’t a joyride, but redirecting those saved funds towards a lavish stay at a 5-star all-inclusive hotel transformed the journey’s sacrifices into a worthwhile investment. Stay tuned for the upcoming trip report 😉 – I can’t wait to share the highs and lows of that adventure!😊
Having spent my fair share of time in the infamous Cattle class, I’ve picked up a few tricks to make the experience just a tad more bearable. So, without further ado, slip into those comfy travel pajamas, and let’s dive into some tips to elevate your economy class journey.
Seat Location
First of all, airlines are out to make money, and airplanes can only get so big, so airlines are on a mission to see how many cheapskates like you and me they can squeeze into the rear end of a fuselage. But sometimes, they get their design plans wrong and they lose if we win. 😏
All aircraft cabins are equipped with Emergency Exit row seats, extra legroom seats and if you’re lucky, sometimes no seat in front of you at all.
I recommend using SeatGuru to search up the aircrafts seat configuration for your airline prior to checking in and selecting seats. It is a great tool and
Now us travelers come in all shapes and sizes, some tall, some thin, some fluffy, some a little under nourished, some handsome, some more handsome and some are just annoying…..okay, I think you get my point.
Find what works for you, if you have long legs like me, you appreciate some extra leg room, if you like having something to lean on, don’t use a shoulder, window seats are much more stable and don’t get annoyed with you, unlike some passengers I have had next to me🙄, and if you like to take walks, go run your mile from the aisle seat. 😂
So, how do you get the seat you want?
AND THE BIG ANSWER IS….
Book before you fly. Before you fly, try to check the aircraft type for your route on FlightRadar24, once you know that, hop over to SeatGuru and take a peek at your cabin layout, look for those extra leg room seats at the front, just behind the galley or look for the rows behind a door as these sometimes come with extra legroom and sometimes not so do be careful here.
My personal preference is window seats, I don’t mind sacrificing the leg room for a window to look out of as well as the chance that I might get lucky and nobody sits next to me and I have the entire space to myself.
Cons of Extra Legroom: The extra legroom seats are great, however for me, it means I sacrifice my screen as generally these seats have screens that fold into the arm rest and during turbulence, taxi, takeoff and landing it has to be stowed. I enjoy watching TV even if there is turbulence or we are taking off and therefore I don’t like it very much.
Also there are the issues with people who are waiting for the bathroom that think your extra legroom is a queuing area😒, yes that happens too often and it is most annoying and unfortunately you cannot shoo them away as blocking the aisle is not allowed either.
Lesson: Book what you like before you arrive!
Prepare before you get in the Air
Clothing is key when travelling long haul. We need a good airport fit for those bathroom selfies📸 and literally any other mirror that pops up (and if you see that one really gorgeous airport crush).
Plus, we are classy, we don’t travel in sweatpants and hoodies because we know how to dress to impress and still be comfortable. Dress well for the airport, airlines are not likely to upgrade someone dressed like a slob, put on a nice shirt and pants, wear clean shoes, have on a spritz of perfume, shave before you fly, wear an actual watch, not some colorful smart watch, look classy and organized. I’d go as far as saying, dress as if you were a consultant on a Business trip. Make it look like you’re about to fly First class and mistakenly join the Economy line.
Trust me, there have been so many occasions that I have been upgraded without having many loyalty points with the airline but I did look like someone who should have been in Business class.
The airline doesn’t want messy people in their premium cabin, that ruins the experience for their paying customers. There have been instances where I got upgraded and my family was left in Economy. It’s amazing what a little style and charm can do at a check in counter!
We can dress as classy as we like, but we still need our clothes to be comfortable for a couple hours of sleep and versatile enough to handle a spill accident or food stain.
Yup, we specialize in driving hard bargains!
Carry in the Carry on
After years of trying different jeans, chinos, sweatpants and shorts (yes, I did it for you guys especially), I have come to the conclusion thaaaaaat…………we should use our carry on’s for what it’s meant for, carry some pajamas in your carry on. Mind blowing right? 😂
If we look classy in the terminal, might as well look good when were sleeping too, never know who’s dreams we might appear in on the airplane. 😉
Seriously though, pack some comfortable PJs into your carry on, and the second you get a chance, head over to the bathroom to get changed, brush your teeth, put on some cologne, smile because you’re beautiful/handsome and wash your face before you head to bed. It’s in the small details like brushing your teeth and having some water splashed on your face that just make humans a little more calm, relaxed and ready to sleep.
Don’t believe me? Google it, it has been scientifically proven that having water touching your face calms you and is proven to lower your heart rate, a simple detail like that might be enough to help you get some quality shut eye at 30,000ft.
Check in Online
As mentioned before, I always recommend checking in online to get the best seats in the house. Maybe if you’re lucky the airline may even offer upgrades at reduced rates that fit your budget and it might just be your lucky day.
Sneaky tip – Check flight capacity: This is also an opportunity to see how full the flight is. Just before checking and choosing seats, go to your airlines booking site and check if there are any seats available on your flight, if there are many, lucky you! Because this means there may be many open seats available in the cabin and if you play your cards right, you may have an open seat next to you or even better, an ENTIRE ROW! 🥳🎉
If the site shows there are many seats available, lucky you! Take your favorite seats, and if it’s full, well I suggest you start bracing yourself and look for whatever you find that is most comfortable.
Getting to the airport
The nerves are getting high, you’re excited, scared, dreading the long flight, too much to think about, might as well arrive in style I say. If you have some extra cash, book a fancy Uber or hire a chauffeur, at least make the ride to the airport comfy.
In the terminal
If you’re an Avgeek like me, try your best to arrive as early as possible, drop your bags off, get through security and have a chill in the terminal, try to get some good pictures and enjoy the airport magic.
If you can and have access to one, spend some time in the lounge, or use this as an opportunity to grab a cheeky cup of coffee and get some work done before the flight, it’ll tire you out a little and make it a lot easier to fall asleep.
Hydration
One major aspect that wayyyyy too many people forget is HYDRATION! A hydrated body is a healthy one and preparing from before your flight by drinking lots and keeping your body healthy makes all the difference. Something we take for granted too often is the effects of flying at 30,000ft and the change in air pressure and all of the effects on our body. Staying hydrated can help avoid headaches, irritability, support immune function to protect you against other passenger germs and most importantly will improve blood circulation and flow, which is really important during those long hauls. Adequate hydration also reduces the risk of swelling and pains when travelling.
Pro tip: Bring a reusable bottle and ask flight attendants to fill it up every once a while.
Personally I am a huge fan of the Sahara Sailor Water Bottles. They are really durable, are the perfect size, look great and really convenient when traveling. I also love the markings/labels on the bottles to help you remember to hydrate and how much to have. There’s a color and size for everyone!
Check it out now on Amazon!
Foodies
For the hungry ones and those who are a little fussy when it comes to food, try to bring along any snacks or chocolates you may enjoy. I personally have a really sensitive stomach and often throw up after eating bad airplane food, therefore it is a standard rule to bring along Pringles, Kit-Kats, an extra can of coke and any good snacks I might find in the duty free. Also, if you like getting first pick at the meal options, try to book your seats towards the front of the cabin, this will guarantee that not too many people choose a meal option you may like and it runs out. You’re welcome ☺️
Entertainment
Certainly, there’s only so much sleep one can indulge in during a long-haul flight. So, what do we do with the rest of the time? Here are some offline entertainment suggestions to make the most of your airborne hours:
1. Movies
Take advantage of the unique opportunity flying provides – no dishes, no cooking, no chores. Sit back, enjoy a meal, and immerse yourself in a movie you’ve never seen before. Relish the moment of escapism, away from the hustle and bustle of the world
2. Stretch & Roll
If movie-watching isn’t your mood, take a stroll to the bathroom or galley. Stretch those muscles and bones; a little movement can do wonders during a long flight.
3. For the Music Lovers
If you enjoy gazing out of airplane windows, have your favorite music playlist saved offline. Ensure your headphones are charged and take some time to gaze into the world outside, perhaps with the same intensity you’d want your crush to look back at you 😂😉.
4. TV Series Binge
For those with TV series preferences, download a few episodes on Netflix or your favorite streaming app. Create your in-flight binge-watching marathon.
5. Power Up
Always pack a power bank; you never know if your seat’s power outlet might not be working or if the airplane gets swapped out without a charger. Power banks are saviors both on the plane and in general while traveling. Plan ahead for adapters and different wall outlets, considering the varying voltages. Purchasing these before your trip tends to be more cost-effective and a wise investment.
Here is the link to my power bank I always use.
6. Books or Drawing
For bookworms, squeeze in a book if you have the space in your carry-on. However, be mindful not to spend too long at it – finding the right balance between reading and sleeping is key. Personally, I love hitting shuffle on my playlist and spending some time sketching on a plane. It’s the perfect place with no distractions, surrounded by memories from the trip. When it’s time to rest, just close the book, place it in the seat pocket, and drift off into a well-deserved slumber. Find your balance and make the most of every moment in the air!
Next is Sleeping Strategies
1. Plan Ahead (Plan out the hours)
Okay, a little bit of math’s time, something I have done since I started travelling between the Americas and Europe. Plan out the flight, draw a little timeline, if the flight is 10 hours, plan 2 hours for a meal, another 2 hours for a movie and the remaining hours for sleeping. Adjust the numbers accordingly and plan for which meals you want to skip or eat. Make a plan and try to stick to it, it’ll optimize your energy levels for arrival.
Just having a little plan helps you to prepare your body and feel slightly better. Or if you’re crossing a lot of time zones, plan ahead to help your body be in sync with your destination’s time zones.
2. Sleeping Tablets
This is a little controversial, some of my family and a lot of friends do this quite a bit, head over to your local pharmacy and see if they can advise you on any sleeping tablets, take it as prescribed and maybe it can help to get you some better shut eye.
This is up to you, each person’s body is different and some get a really good sleep and wake up feeling great, and others don’t really like it.
I’ve never really needed to do this, simple planning and following my tips above have been enough for me to get some good sleep on board.
3. Pillow & Blanket
The last element you can control is your bed. If there is still space in your carry on, you can consider bringing along your own neck pillow and blanket.
Pro tip: This will cost you a bit of extra money, but if you can, look into buying a small travel size memory foam pillow. They certainly aren’t cheap but they are so much more comfortable and in Economy, they are so versatile and make for such a comfortable pillow.
I personally do not bring blankets along as I find them too bulky, but if you can and want to, consider doing it. Whatever works for you!
I asked around and some of my fellow travelers have suggested this pillow and blanket as they are comfortable and easy to pack into carry-on’s. Let me know what you guys think!
Memory Foam Pillow & EverSnug Blanket
Making the most of Layovers
Layovers can make or break your travel experience, and your approach to them can significantly impact your journey. Here are some considerations for layovers:
1. Layover Duration
When booking flights, consider your preference for layover durations. Longer layovers provide an opportunity to recover energy and adjust your body on the ground. If you enjoy being on the move, opt for shorter layovers. However, be mindful of potential flight delays that could lead to connection time issues. Plan your layovers to align with your travel style and needs.
2. Layover Hotel Programs
Take advantage of airline-sponsored stopovers, a perk offered by certain airlines in their hub cities. Airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Iberia, Etihad, and many more offer stopover programs that include a complimentary hotel stay. Research and plan with these airlines to make the most of your layover experience. A quick Google search can reveal the available options (wink emoji).
3. Flight Times & Routes
Your choice of flight times and routes can significantly impact your travel comfort. If you prefer non-stop flights, be prepared for a longer journey, which may cost less but can be less comfortable. On the other hand, opting for a layover means accumulating more miles, getting additional rest time, and the chance to explore a new airport. Consider your priorities and preferences when choosing your flight routes.
In summary, plan your layovers strategically to suit your travel style, take advantage of airline-sponsored stopover programs, and weigh the pros and cons of non-stop versus layover flights. Tailoring your layover experience to your preferences can make a significant difference in the overall enjoyment of your journey. Safe travels!
So lets sum it all up:
- Dress to Impress: Make a lasting impression by dressing well for the airport; it might just score you an upgrade.
- Online Check-In: Secure the best seats by checking in online and consider checking the flight capacity for potential open seats.
- Travel in Style: If possible, opt for a luxurious ride to the airport to set the tone for your journey.
- Early Airport Arrival: Arrive early to capture the magic of the terminal, explore lounges, and ease into pre-flight relaxation.
- Stay Hydrated: Prioritize hydration to combat the effects of flying, ensuring a more comfortable and healthy journey.
- Pack Smart Snacks: Bring along your favorite snacks to cater to your taste buds and avoid the pitfalls of airplane food.
- Entertainment Game Plan: Plan your in-flight entertainment, from movies and TV shows to music playlists, ensuring a pleasant journey.
- Power Up with a Power Bank: Pack a power bank for charging flexibility, accounting for potential issues with seat outlets or unexpected airplane changes.
- Comfort is Key: If space permits, bring a neck pillow and consider investing in a travel-size memory foam pillow for added comfort.
- Plan Your Flight Hours: Strategically plan your in-flight hours for meals, movies, and sleep, optimizing your energy levels upon arrival.
- Consider Sleeping Tablets: Sleeping tablets are a personal choice; consult with a pharmacy for advice if needed.
- Layover Strategy: Tailor layovers to your preference, choosing longer ones for rest or shorter ones for continuous movement.
- Take Advantage of Layovers: Explore airline-sponsored stopover programs for complimentary hotel stays during layovers.
- Flight Times and Routes: Decide between non-stop and layover flights based on your priorities – more miles, rest time, or exploration opportunities.
In conclusion, mastering the art of long-haul economy flights involves a combination of smart planning, comfort considerations, and strategic choices. By incorporating these tips, you can transform a potentially arduous journey into a more enjoyable and well-managed experience. Safe travels!
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