5 Tips For Flying In Comfort Even In Economy
Sure, I would rather be in first class or business class when I fly, but budget doesn’t allow it to become reality.
But, having been “up there” before and knowing what it’s like, I like to bring a bit of it back to me in economy. And you can, too.
This is how I fly in coach and turn it into my own private business coach experience.
1.) Choosing The Right Seat – Getting An Aisle Or Window
I always like to get a window seat on a flight of three or more hours and an aisle seat for shorter trips. The reason for this is that the window area can be used as a brace to lean against to sleep on longer flights but for shorter ones, I prefer to be able to hop out of the seat to to more quickly get off the plane. And to go to the bathroom (more on that later!).
Tip Within The Tip: These days, with airlines charging extra for certain seats, you need to secure these seats a month or more in advance. And when doing this, don’t get a seat over the wing for a window seat unless nothing else if left. Why? Well, because it’s over the wing and you have no view out of the window.
2.) Getting Settled Into My Seat
Once I’m seated – I do this immediately with a window seat and wait until the plane’s door is shut with an aisle seat – I settle into my seat. I put my backpack on the floor, but making sure it’s close enough to reach, put my reading materials into the seatpocket and pull out pretty much anything else I’ll need for my comfort. I want to take care of all this while I’m still moving around so I don’t spend half the flight reaching or things, squirming in my seat, etc.
Tip Within The Tip: If the seat next to me is open, I watch for when the door to the plane is shut. When it’s closed then nobody else can get on the plane. Done. When I’m in a window seat, I can even see the concourse being pulled back to the gate. I then look in the aisle to see if there’s any last-second passenger coming to grab that coveted space and if not, I immediately claim it by moving my backpack to the floor spot in front of it, flipping up the armrest and then sprawl out in the seat area as much as possible within the seatbelt and upright seat position rules. By doing this, I’m establishing to the person in the aisle seat that I plan on using as much of that space as he or she will aloow (and of course, I’m willing to share; we are each entiteld to half of it).
3.) I Recline During Takeoff
Most passengers think they have to keep their seat “in the fully upright position” until the captain turns off the fasten seat belt sign. A flight attendant friend told me that’s not true, that as soon as the wheels leave the ground you can recline the seat. The whole point of moving up the seats is to make it easier for passengers to get out of their seats, into the aisles and off the plane in case of an emergency. And most of those emergencies occur when the plane is taking off or landing. So while others are stiff, I’m relaxing immediately in my seat.
4.) Packing My Own Food & Entertainment
Call me cheap, but I always pack my own food and snacks if thee’s no meal service No way I’m paying top dollar for average-at-best food from the airlines or an airport stand. By packing my own meal, I get to eat exactly what I want (usually a turkey and cheese sandwich; you want something easy to control and nothing messy) and chips, crackers or whatever, which of course I can use to snack on later, as well.
Once the plane takes off and the beverage service is completed, I break it out, lower the tray and pull out my entertainment. I’m kicked back, relaxed and in my own business class world.
If there is a meal service included with the flight and especially if it’s overseas and free drinks or wine is included, even better!
Tip Within The Tip: NEVER EVER bring that smelly McDonald’s or other fast food onto the plane. It’s awful to other passengers.
5.) Getting Up To Go The Bathroom From A Window Seat
Once I get settled in, I don’t like to move, so I take care of my bathroom needs as soon as I get on the plane, or at least after the fasten seat belts sign has been turned off by the crew. Or, I’ll go in the terminal just prior to boarding. If I have to go within the flight, then I’ll go when one of the seat neighbors gets up to go; this way it doesn’t unsettle either one of us.
BONUS TIP: Keeping A Positive Mental Attitude
This is really important because a lot of travel is all about attitude. If you’re pissed off or have a bad attitude, you’re going to have a bad flight. Maybe something happened in the airport or some duffus slogged you with his heavy rollerbag while taking what you thought was your spot in the overhead bin, but I let it go once I get settled into my seat. No use carrying extra baggage with you in your mind when you can’t do anything about it!
And this is my real key to turning a coach class seat into a business class experience. I act like I’m in business class, even if it’s in my little cramped spot in economy.
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