A handful of Economy Class tips for flying to ensure your next trip is as smooth as an A380 taking off.
I try not to be a snob about flying, but itโs tough. When you get accustomed to travelling a certain way, Business Class, or if youโre extra lucky, First Class, itโs difficult to return to Economy Class. When I say difficult, I mean psychologically, and to a much lesser extent, physically.
I consider myself an experienced โfluctuating flyerโ. This year alone Iโve jumped from Etihad Economy Class to Etihad Business Class, Air France Economy Class to Singapore Airlines First Class and back to Virgin Economy. Next month Iโm back to Singapore Business Class followed by more Etihad Economy Class and another stint in Singaporeโs 777 First Class, with more Qantas Business Class and a Cathay First trip later in the year.
My point is, I chop and change between cabins a lot, depending on whether Iโm using points or paying myself, and in that process have become a pro at flying Economy Class. I manage my expectations from the start, and I plan accordingly. With this in mind, I thought Iโd put together a list of Economy Class tips for flying that will help you survive your next long-haul trip.
Tips For Flying
Choose The Right Flight & Book It At The Right Time
This is an important step a lot of people overlook. When youโre researching your flights, make note of the plane and layover locations and times, especially when looking at prices between carriers. A couple of hundred dollars could be the difference between you flying on an old 757 and a new A380. Youโre also more likely to save money the earlier you book your flight, so once youโve decided on dates, get your flights booked. I tend to avoid Red Eye flights in Economy to begin a trip, so I arrive as fresh as possible and try to avoid arriving at my destination at the crack of dawn. Arriving in the evening after a 25-hour trip and entertaining yourself until an appropriate bedtime is far easier than struggling through a full day of jetlag.
Choose Your Seat!
I cannot stress this enough. No one should be turning up to the airport without knowing their seat; itโs making me anxious just thinking about it! Iโd prefer to pay to move my flight than sit in a middle seat; Iโm that anal about it. But it goes way further than just Aisle or Window.
โ Score 69D on an Etihad A380 or 71D on a Qantas A380 (among others) and you wonโt have a seat in front of you.
โ If youโre a couple, check down the back of the narrower planes to see if there is a double seat available.
โ Pick a seat that is in the vicinity of as many bathrooms as possible to avoid waiting when you need to go. But! Donโt make it too close, because you want to put some space between yourself and the baby bassinettes.
โ If you like the aisle, pick an aisle seat in the centre row of four, that way only one person will have to get past you to use the toilet. If itโs an uncrowded flight, youโve also got more chance of nabbing the elusive four-seat bed for a lie-down.
โ Check the seating plan the day/night before the flight to see how full the plane is or if a better seat has popped up โ if itโs full consider a premium upgrade.
โ As a last resort, itโs good to ask about an exit row when you check in. If the flight is full someone will need to sit there, why shouldnโt it be you?
Jump on Seat Guru and search for your carrier and plane type and do some research, then login to manage your booking and select the best one available or pay for a premium option.
Weigh Up The Premium Options
After youโve researched the best seat in the house, do some research on Premium options. If the flight is full or you are tall, Premium seating is worth considering, especially if it gives you extra legroom, priority boarding or dedicated overhead storage space. If the flight isnโt full, Iโm less likely to consider spending the additional money because thereโs more activity around the exit rows and bathrooms. The exit row seats are also thinner, donโt have the same storage, or removable armrests making lounging more difficult. Itโs also frustrating when you spend extra on an exit row and end up moving to an empty four-seat row for the entire trip. This point extends to Premium Economy also. Iโd rather have a four-seat in Economy Row to myself, than an individual seat in a full Premium Economy cabin. Air New Zealand is particularly good at offering the best.
Prepare
When flying Economy, you need to be prepared for anything and everything. Youโre going to need an adequate selection of entertainment clothing and amenities. Hereโs my list of travel essentials tips for flying.
โ A Pen!
โ Ear Plugs: I usually put mine straight in (with my noise cancelling headphones over the top) as soon as I sit down and start reading. Vital for battling crying baby/snoring. Go for silicone if you want max noise reduction.
โ Eye Mask: An adjustable elastic strap is better than anything with velcro.
โ Noise Cancelling Headphones: Over-ear or in the ear will both reduce cabin noise significantly. At the very least a quality pair of headphones with an adaptor for entertainment and music.
โ Reading material (Book or Ipad): Donโt be left twiddling your thumbs if you sit on the tarmac for an hour before take off or taxiing to the gate.
โ Laptop or Ipad: While carriers are getting a lot better itโs always good to have a backup device full of delicious things to watch. Complete TV series work a treat because the breaks are a good excuse to go for a quick stroll.
โ Music: Phone or Ipad, make sure your favourite flying playlist is downloaded to the device. Donโt forget chargers.
โ Clothes: I never get on a plane without a jumper or socks (to keep warm)or a spare shirt and underwear. This gives you the freedom to freshen up when in layover (especially if you donโt have lounge access) or before landing if you need to head somewhere important straight away.
โ Amenities: Basics include toothbrush/paste, deodorant, moisturiser, comb. Iโll usually add, cologne, lip balm, eye cream, hair product and medication!
Medicate
The worst place for your medicine is in the baggage hold (or at home). My arsenal of tips for flying includes antihistamines, Sudafed and throat lozenges to battle the air-conditioning. Paracetomal to quell the hangover that I almost always have from drinking too much whisky and red wine. Hydralight or Berocca and sleeping pills or muscle relaxants to get as comfortable as possible. Even if you donโt fall asleep, they will help you relax.
Stay Loyal
Pick an alliance and stick with it. Once youโve earned enough Status, youโll be able to use their lounges in transit, no matter what cabin class you fly. A shower en route to Europe is one of the lifeโs simplest pleasures.
Positive Attitude
Whether youโve never flown Business Class, or you fly it all the time, youโre not this time, so get over it. Embrace your space (or lack thereof), nurse your whisky and enjoy the fact that youโre heading off on an adventure while your friends are at work.
