How to Make Longhaul Economy Approximate a Premium Cabin

I noted new BTer SimonPollack has to manage an economy travel policy, which I’m sure is also the case for many people these days.

What do you do to make the journey more comfortable, and approximate as closely as is possible within the obvious constraints of a high density, upright seat layout?

I always reserve my seat at the back of the aircraft, as it’s more likely there will be some empty seats around me. I had a particularly good flight with BA to Tokyo on a 777-300 as the Economy cabin was very empty.

If the flight is busy, I find a longhaul in Economy pure torture on any airline. Unfortunately, most of my flights are in this cabin.

If you find eating the onboard food not to your taste buy some goodies in the terminal to take onboard with you. On a domestic AA flight earlier in the year i guy took his burger and chips on board. Otherise if you fly from T5 LHR you can always get a picnic from Gordon Ramsay’s plane food resturant.

http://www.gordonramsay.com/planefood/menus/picnics/

Load your own Ipad or laptop with movies and games.

First of all, campaign to change the policy to one based on price. My policy (both business & personal) is that the maximum I will pay for a journey is a fully flexible economy fare (anytime standard on the trains). If you & your employees can get a business or first class fare for less than that then that’s fine.

If your company lacks the imagination to implement such a policy, then one solution to increase comfort is to break your journey up with transfers. For example, flying from UK to USA, you could fly with Icelandair via Reyjavik. Then a 7 hour journey becomes a 3 + 4 hour journey. Personally, I am happy to fly economy up to 2 hours and can tolerate 5 hours but no more.

Obviously some airlines offer an emergency exit seat for a small fee but this is no use to me as I am not allowed to sit in these seats.

A small trick I use on some airlines is that invariably the seat pocket in front of you is full of junk and takes away some kneeroom. So if I get my seat before anyone else has joined me, I just put the junk in the seat pocket next to me! Being taller than most people, it is unlikely anybody is going to complain.

On the trains, most long haul trains offer more legroom in the seats at the back of the carraiges. They are marked as disabled seats but unless a disabled person comes along it is unlikely you will have to give them up.

@VK and BB, I have not tried the Plane Food from T5 yet, but the menu looks enticing. That said, sorry for the question, but one thing I experienced in the USA, especially when some passengers take with them some McD’s or other fast food on board is the terrible smell. How does Plane Food compare as I imagine some to the nasty looks aren’t just from hunger but perhaps from annoyance of aroma, or is this not a problem with Plane Food picnics?

Some good suggestions, here. I do virtually all of my travel in Economy and PE and, to give an idea of the amount I do in these cabins, I will comfortably make my BA Gold again next year. That said, what do I aim to do?
– Always select an aisle seat, generally in the middle block on long-haul because there is a fair chance that a couple will be seated in the same block and your neighbouring seat will be free.
– All things being equal, try to fly with your favoured airline/ alliance in the hope of an upgrade – Economy to PE or PE to C happens maybe one in three/ four times with BA/ QF in my experience.
– If you have status, make use of the lounge before departure, have a meal if available and cut down/ eliminate the food offered inflight if you can
– Get yourself short legs, as I did at birth. I rarely have problems with pitch as a result……
– I sleep well with the seat upright and never recline mine. This is probably a personal thing but works well for a 7 hour nap on a 12 hour flight.
– Get up and move about the cabin as often as you can – the benefit of an aisle seat
– Remain stoical – you’re the only one to suffer if you let yourself get upset and frustrated

dutchyankee, I have never eaten in Plane Food, but it does look nice. Looking at the menu its all cold food so shouldn’t stink I wonder why BA just don’t get them to supply to the lounge and onboard catering and for £12.95 sounds pretty good value and all Michelin star. BA should give all pax a voucher when they check-in then they can go to PF and collect their meal to take onboard. BA can then just go and serve drinks