Travel isn’t easy and long distance flying in economy can be especially hard, as airlines shoe-horn in more seats and provide ever fewer services in the economy cabin.
With smart planning, some useful products, and intelligent flying, it’s possible to mitigate the problems of long distance flying, even in economy seating, and arrive at your destination ready to go.
Here are my top 15 tips for surviving economy-class travel on long distance flights:
1. Don’t fly in economy seating if possible. If available on your flight, an upgrade to your airline’s premium economy seating, with its extra legroom, typically won’t destroy your travel budget. When I last flew to Buenos Aires, an 11.5 hour flight, while not the same as business class, my premium economy seat was a huge improvement over a regular economy seat.
2. Research coach class quality. If you have a choice of airlines and flights to your destination, check them out carefully and choose wisely. There may be significant differences in their economy class quality of service and seating.
3. Choose your seat carefully. I always try to stay away from galleys and lavatories, which are busy and noisy. I use SeatGuru to get all the cabin and seat details on my flights. When choosing a seat also consider power ports, bulkheads, closets, if a seat is particularly cold, or lacks seat recline, etc.
4. Get an aisle seat. With an aisle seat you’re less confined, often have more room under the seat in front of you than a window seat, a dedicated armrest — unlike the center seat — and you can get up at anytime without having to climb over anyone.
5. Check-in as early as permitted. You’ll have a better selection of seats, if you haven’t yet been assigned one, and a better chance to improve your existing seat assignment. Plus, you’re less likely to be “bumped” in case the flight is over-sold.
6. Bring food. I regularly bring food from home for my flights. I know it will be high quality, and something I actually like. When away, I often have my hotel prepare a meal to take on my flight, or buy food at the airport. Either way it’s better to eat light when flying. On flights with food for economy, order special food from the airline. I’ve found its quality is superior to their regular offerings, and I’ll get something I actually eat. Bring some snack foods too.
7. Dress for comfort and changing temperatures. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that tie so they can be loosened for comfort. Women should forget heels. Dress in layers as it could be hot or cold in the cabin. Bring a hat in case of overhead drafts in the cabin.
8. Be ready for gate checking bags. The overhead bins in economy fill rapidly. If you’re in one of the last groups for boarding, pack your carry-on as if you’ll have to gate check it. Make sure you can fit your personal item under the seat in front of you and be sure it has everything you might need during your flight.
9. Bring an eye-mask, soft earplugs and a noise canceling headset. On flights on which many stay awake and talk, I plug my headset into my smartphone and run a “white noise” app. Bring a blow-up pillow which goes around your neck for real comfort.
10. Pillows and blankets. If possible in economy, snag a pillow for behind your back, and a blanket from a flight attendant.
11. Carry sanitizing towelettes. Use them to wipe down arm rests, seat belt fasteners, tray tables, window pulls and the wall if in a window seat.
12. Carry on a complete change of clothes. These will come in handy in case the airline loses your checked bag, or if someone spills food or drink on you during your flight. It’s happened to me, and there’s nothing worse than sitting in wet clothes.
13. Bring your own entertainment. Often inflight entertainment on long flights is boring at best. Bring a tablet preloaded with videos, games, books, magazines and some music, too. Power outlets often don’t exist in economy, so fully charge your electronics and bring a portable power pack or two for them.
14. Walk around the cabin. World Health Organization research indicates about 1 in 4,500 travelers will develop a blood clot while aloft, likely caused by passengers not moving around enough. Especially when in a cramped economy seat, get up from your seat often to stretch and move around the cabin.
15. Keep hydrated. The humidity in airplane cabins is very low, as is the pressure, so it’s easy to get dehydrated while flying. Don’t add that to the discomfort of your economy seat. Don’t drink alcoholic beverages, colas, coffee and other drinks which tend to dehydrate. Purchase a huge water bottle at the airport and bring it on board. Drink lots of water, or non-caffeinated, low sodium soft drinks. Avoid snacks high in sodium such pretzels or peanuts.
Extra Tip: If you have a long layer-over between flights, consider purchasing an airline lounge day pass to make the trip more comfortable while you wait.
(Image: Economy Class Cabin, Copyright © 2007 Hideyuki Kamon)
