OK, let’s be honest. It’s really, really nice to fly First Class or even Business Class, especially on international, overnight flights. It is hard to argue with having your very own private ‘pod’, gourmet meals and other luxurious amenities. However, all that luxury can come at a steep price. It seems like every time we schedule an international flight, we take a look at the cost to upgrade to Business Class. It is typically several more thousand dollars, and every time we decide it is just not worth it for us.
If money is no object, then absolutely flying in Business or First Class is the way to go. But for a lot of us, the extra dollars are cost prohibitive. However, just because you are in Economy Class does not mean that you have to resign yourself to a miserable trip. This post will be sharing some ideas for things that you can do before and during your trip to make your flight as comfortable as it can be. Even if you are flying in Business or First Class, you may still find a few of these tips useful.
Note: Included below are links to all the products that are mentioned. However, these are not affiliates and we receive no compensation from any vendors.
Selecting the Best Seats
The first thing you can do to improve your comfort on your future flight is to pick the best Economy seats available. For a relatively small fee, many airlines offer upgraded Economy seats and they all use different names for this option. Look for seat upgrades called things like ‘Economy Plus’ or ‘Economy Premium’. The extra amenities available with these seats may include things like priority boarding, amenity packages, better food options and the most important thing – additional leg room. On a recent flight from Charlotte to Amsterdam, we paid an extra $80 per seat to score an additional 4 inches of leg room. Even though 4 inches doesn’t sound like a lot, on a 9-hour flight those extra inches made a huge difference in our comfort.
When selecting seats, we always try to avoid center seats at all costs. The larger planes used on international flights often have seating configurations with pairs of seats along the windows, and we always look for flights with this configuration. Whether you are a single flyer or a pair, these seats offer a little more privacy and comfort since there are only 2 people in each row. Always study the seat maps for your flight and choose seats that are located away from the galley, and for obvious reasons, the restrooms.
As we have mentioned in previous posts, we enjoy doing as much of the trip planning ourselves as possible. However, if you prefer, there are apps available that can assist you in making the seat selection easier. SeatGuru.com and ExpertFlyer.com are two websites that can help you locate the most desirable seats on your next flight, and will even notify you when your preferred seats become available.
In-Flight Comfort
In addition to more space, upgraded classes of service usually include a better selection of meal options, and frequently come with some nice little amenity kits. We have put together some suggestions for things you can do to make yourself more comfortable, as well as some products that can make for a more pleasant, if not enjoyable flight. Keep in mind, we are just providing some suggestions based on things that we often do. Not all of these ideas may work for you, but we hope you find some of them helpful.
• Dress Comfortably
Regardless of your class of service, dressing comfortably for a long flight goes without saying. However, sometimes the comfort idea can be taken to extremes. How many times have you seen folks flying in what appear to be pajamas? To each there own, but I still prefer to look somewhat presentable, while maximizing comfort.
To that end, I like to fly in some version of joggers. These Horizon Adjustable Jogger Pants are my go-to pants for overnight flights. They are as comfy as PJ’, plus they don’t wrinkle and the adjustable hem allows them to look just like regular travel pants if you prefer. (Here’s a version for the guys too!)
Because I never use the blankets provided by the airlines, I like to bring along a comfy sweater or wrap that can substitute for a blanket. Here is a good option from Amazon. You can throw this in your carry on and wrap up when you’re ready for your nap.
• Clean Your Environment
Frankly, I am sometimes accused of being a bit of a germophobe and I would have to say it’s true. So, for me, part of what allows me to relax on any flight is making sure that I am in the cleanest environment possible. I use these wipes to wipe down all the surfaces around me. These individually wrapped ones are also a good option. I prefer wipes containing hydrogen peroxide, because they are able to kill Norovirus, unlike a lot of alcohol-based wipes.
TIP: Contrary to conventional wisdom, the air coming out of vents on airplanes is actually not filled with the germs and contagions we have been led to believe. In fact, it is recommended that you turn your air vents as high as you can tolerate, so that the air around you circulates. It turns out that most illnesses are introduced by things that we touch. So, keep the hand sanitizer handy!
• Cocktail Hour
Although you do not want to overdo, an adult beverage may be helpful for some folks to relax a bit – especially for nervous flyers like me! On most international flights, alcohol is complementary. But regardless of cost, its pretty hard to get a decent cocktail in Economy on any flight. Here is a genius product that can change all that. The Cocktail Box Company offers miniature cocktail kits that you can pop in your carry-on luggage. These kits contain everything you need to make up to six cocktails. They are available in singles or multi-packs on Amazon. I actually have not tried this product yet, but I have ordered it and plan to bring it along the next time we fly. Take note that some of these kits come with a couple of tiny bottles of bitters included, so you’ll have to save a little room in your TSA baggy for the extra liquids.
• Snacks on a Plane
We are certainly not food snobs and understand that airlines are not striving to serve gourmet meals in Economy. But in spite of having some low expectations, we have been served some really awful meals on a few flights. To avoid the prospect of a virtually inedible dinner, we bring along some of our own goodies.
Of course, bringing along some healthy snack bars or a bag of pretzels is not really a novel idea. But have you considered bringing along some fresh foods? There are a few rules to keep in mind. First, remember when flying from the United States, you have to pass the TSA inspection, and they do have some rules for food products. Second, certain fresh foods such as fruit or meat must either be consumed or discarded on the airplane, since they may not be able to be brought into other countries. Third, please do not bring foods with odors that may bother those folks around you.
Following these rules, here are a few ideas for food that you can bring along with you. These can be used to either augment whatever meals that are served on the plane, or if necessary, replace them.
o Mini Charcuterie Plate – We like to put together a small container of dried meats, cheeses and crackers that do not take up much space and do not have to be refrigerated. Package your charcuterie in these reusable containers. They are collapsible and take up virtually no space once they’re empty.
o Healthy Wraps – Bring along your own homemade healthy turkey or vegan wrap with a side of hummus and veggies.
o Salads – Certain greens like kale hold up quite well without refrigeration. Grains such as quinoa or pastas such as couscous, hold well at room temperature. You can even mix them with the greens and add some fruit to make a well-rounded meal.
o Desserts – Actually the desserts served with airline meals are sometimes pretty good, but bring along some homemade cookies or some decadent chocolate as a treat after your meal.
• Entertainment
In-flight entertainment is usually pretty good, especially on long flights. But I always carry my iPad loaded with books, including audiobooks, so that I can listen to them while trying to nap. Even if you do not bring along a tablet, just about everyone has a phone. You can easily load the Kindle app on your phone for your reading or listening pleasure.
I also bring along my own earbuds for listening and blocking some of the extraneous noise. If you really need to completely block out everything, try these noise-canceling headphones or these easy to carry earbuds. If you are sensitive to noise and need to get some rest on the flight, they can be indispensable.
Some planes have USB ports available for recharging your devices. However, they are not available on all flights. So, be sure to carry a power bank with you for backup power. There are tons of them for sale everywhere at a variety of prices. Here is a link to an article that provides reviews and prices on some popular models.
• Amenities
First Class and Business Class passengers often receive a little kit of amenities to enjoy during their flight. You can easily create your own little reusable kit. Here are some of the things that I bring along on long flights.
o Refreshing Wipes – Normally, I wear makeup whenever I leave the house, but I do not wear any on overnight flights. I just do not want makeup to sit on my face all night, nor do I want to go through the trouble of removing it. So, I show up to the airport with clean, moisturized skin – and that’s it. I do however like to refresh my face before ‘lights out’ and again in the morning before leaving the plane. You can find products like this everywhere, but I like these wipes from Sephora. They come in a ton of scents, but I prefer the coconut and watermelon. They come in a mini-size that is convenient for fitting into carry-on luggage.
o Moisturizers – Flying really dries out your skin, so its important to moisturize. I decant my favorite facial moisturizer in one of these airless pump bottles and use it liberally throughout the flight. I always carry Aquaphor Lip Repair to keep my lips from chapping during the flight.
And don’t forget your nose and eyes. Did you know that you can help to prevent picking up a cold on the plane just by keeping your nasal membranes moist? Saline spray works great for this purpose, but it can take up valuable room in your little bag of liquids. We use this Ayr Saline Gel. It takes up less room and once applied, it lasts longer than saline spray. You can even use Vaseline or Neosporin for the same purpose.
If you normally wear contact lenses, you should really try to fly without them if at all possible due to the fact that they can become quite dry and uncomfortable. Even without wearing my contacts, my eyes get dry. I bring along a couple of vials of these single-use eye drops by OCuSOFT that keep my eyes comfortable throughout the flight.
o Disposable Toothbrush – Rather than using my regular toothbrush, I throw a few of these disposable toothbrushes in my carry-on bag. They can’t replace a thorough brushing, but they are easy to use right in your seat and they do a pretty darn good job of cleaning your teeth and refreshing your breath.
• Getting Some Sleep
o Medications – Some folks have prescriptions for helping them sleep on the plane and by all means use them if you have them. However, if you do not have a prescription, consider using an over-the-counter treatment such as melatonin or even Benadryl to help you get a few hours of rest. Note that Benadryl can be a little bit drying, so try to drink some extra water if you use this medication.
o Sleep Mask – Even with the lights dimmed, a sleep mask is essential for getting a little shut-eye on the plane. You can find sleep masks just about anywhere. If you have never used one before, look for one that is concave so that it does not press against your eyelids. This design tends to be a little more comfortable.
o Pillow – Traditional neck pillows take up a lot of valuable room in your carry-on luggage. But here are a couple of space saving alternatives. Try an inflatable neck pillows like this one, which has a washable cover and gets great reviews on Amazon. Another popular alternative is this neck support pillow that wraps around your neck like a neck gaiter. I have never used one of these, but they seem to get excellent reviews and they definitely save space.
o Socks – For long flights a lot of doctors recommend wearing compression socks to try to prevent problems with blood clots. I do not like them, but I do wear them just to be cautious. However, if you choose not to wear compression socks, opt for a cozy pair that will keep your feet warm – and covered if you remove your shoes.
o Foot Rest – Especially for shorter folks and children, sitting in airline seats for long periods of time without being able to place their feet on the floor can be very uncomfortable. Did you know there are foot rests that you can use on the plane? Take a look at this inflatable model or this folding option. Either of these might be a solution for those that want give your feet or even your lower back a rest on a long flight.
TIP: Folks, please consider the people sitting behind you before you choose to recline your seat. If you have ever spent an 9-hour flight with your tray table in your lap, then you know what I mean. As a courtesy to others, consider minimizing the distance that you move your seat into the space of those behind you.
• Organizing All Your Stuff
One thing I hate while flying is having to repeatedly ‘excavate’ my carry-on bag to find things every time I need them. To help stay organized, I use these little clear bags that allow me to easily see the contents of each bag. (These bags are TSA compliant and can perform double duty to carry your liquids.) Here is another option for keeping everything handy on a long flight. This Genius Pack attaches to the tray table and keeps everything you need in easy reach.
Also, if you are interested is some other tips for packing and organizing, take a look at our two blog posts “How to Pack for the TSA” and “Tips for Packing Light”.
Share Your Ideas
There you have it friends! I know that flying in Economy does not really compare to flying in an upgraded class, but I hope that you can incorporate some of these ideas the next time you fly in Economy. I’ll bet that a lot of you have tips and tricks for making your flights more comfortable too. Please leave a comment and share your ideas with your fellow readers.
With the 3-4-3 configuration, we select Window and Isle; and hope for empty Center seat – worked both ways on the 17-hour Delta Atlanta-Johannesburg flights in June 2018 – the eight longest flight at the time.
I keep monitoring seats as the departure date approaches.
If the Center shows up, I would move over and he/she just got upgraded to Isle.
That is a good strategy.
On a 2-4-2 configuration, the bulkhead on one of the “2” sides gives plenty of legroom. Once in the air, take your carry-on and use it as a footrest.
I don’t think airlines allow you to bring your own alcohol on board. I did this once not knowing, and a flight attendant informed me this was not allowed. Maybe only on that carrier? But I believe it might be an FAA regulation.
The Cocktail Kit is just mixers, you would still buy the liquor on the plane.
Bringing your own booze on board is generally prohibited for safety reasons. But I hear it’s allowed if flying to Brunei.
I guess we should have made it clearer. These are cocktail kits, but they do not contain alcohol. You would need to purchase that separately. That’s why even the web site that sells these says they are airplane friendly.
It is, in fact, illegal to drink your own alcohol on an airplane, and U.S. air carriers are required to obey FAA regulations at all times, regardless of airspace. That means even when flying over Mexico or any other country, you still can’t start drinking your own moonshine on a domestic airline.
Wow, how many times do I need to state that these are just mixers, there is no alcohol in them. No one is advocating taking your own alcohol on board.
Coach is not first class, no matter. People complain if the person in front of them recline their seat — certainly not a lay flat by any stretch of the imagination.
If you like coconut scent, please do not sit beside me! 😂
Here’s a hot tip that I used for my upcoming trip to make coach feel like first class. Some airlines, especially short hauls on most European airlines, occasionally sell a premium cabin as coach or economy plus. I’m in Main Cabin Extra (I always go at least economy plus due to my long legs) and on the way back I’m seated in premium economy cause the big 3 (AA, Delta, and United) sell the premium economy seats as economy plus on most domestic flights using long haul planes. Coach seats aren’t one size fits all. The only way I’ll fly regular coach seats again is by becoming a contortionist.