Travelling long distances at the back of the plane is a challenge. Here are tips to ease your pain.
1) Adjust your expectations. If you are used to being pampered in business class, recognise that in economy you won’t be. Making the best of what you have is the way to survive. Forget the “Do You Know Who I Am” attitude (DYKWIA) – it isn’t attractive even among premium passengers.
2) At check-in, ask if there are any spare seats and, if so, whether you can move so that one of them is next to you – giving you more room to spread out.
3) Build status with your airline and alliance of choice – this will increase your chance of an upgrade and provide you with lounge access before the flight.
4) Invest in Priority Pass membership (£259 annual fee for unlimited visits) – lounge access is good for loading up on food and drink before boarding if you travel in economy often.
5) Buy a bottle of water once airside to have on board.
6) You may enjoy ignoring fellow passengers in business class – after all, it’s all about space and privacy – but in economy, being polite to the person you are rubbing shoulders with for ten hours-plus is the best advice. You don’t have to tell each other your life story, but the odd smile and remark will help make the enforced proximity a lot more bearable.
7) Pay for an exit or bulkhead seat. On a long-haul flight the cost is worth it, particularly if you are tall.
8) Seat choice is personal. If you don’t want to be disturbed and are confident about not wanting the bathroom on a regular basis, then window seats are for you. If you like getting up and stretching, then an aisle will be the better choice. Avoid middle seats at all costs.
9) Be aware that some airlines cram in more seats than others – ten-across instead of nine-across on a B777, for instance, will be more claustrophobic. Do your homework on cabin layouts in advance.
10) Take a portable battery for your phone or tablet in case the plane is old and you can’t charge it.
11 Avoid sitting at the very back of the aircraft – it is bumpier, noisier (behind the engines), it often takes you longer to board and disembark, and you may be disturbed by people queueing for washrooms if these are located at the rear. For the best seats visit our sister website, seatplans.com.
12) If you can, choose a carrier with new seating, which will be more ergonomically comfortable.
13) Try to get on board early so you can find a place for your bags in an overhead locker that is reasonably close to your seat – ideally, directly overhead. It will lessen hassle when you need to get things out during the flight, and also help when it comes to disembarking.
14) Dress in loose-fitting clothes – you’ll be sitting down for hours. Bear in mind that the temperature at your departure point is unlikely to be the temperature of your destination, but if the airline loses your checked bag, you’ll be wearing them for even longer.
15) Wear layers. Cabin temperatures vary hugely, even during the course of a flight, so make sure you have ways of keeping warm or cooling off without a change of clothing – the airline will provide a blanket (probably), but it’s a good idea to have a jumper or hoodie to keep warm if necessary.
16) Compression socks are important if you think you may suffer from DVT – and since you’ll want to kick your shoes off during the night, having a couple of pairs of old flight socks from business class (or just old socks) is a good idea to keep your feet cosy.
17) Wear slip-on shoes – or, at least, not boots. They are a pain to lace and unlace at security, and the same applies on the flight if you want to take them on and off.
18) If you wear contact lenses, consider glasses instead – your eyes will dry out during the flight.
19) A wide scarf or pashmina is good for using as a pillow or blanket in case the one given to you is unwashed.
20) Carry a small toiletry bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, facial mist, lip balm, eye mask and maybe some eyedrops or saline nasal spray to help with dehydration.
21) Take a pack of wet wipes for hands and surfaces. Tray tables can be sticky and some people like to lean forward and sleep on them.
22) Invest in a good neck pillow – being able to sleep without nodding forwards or sideways is all-important (for some recommendations click here).
23) If you have a bad back, consider packing a bolster.
24) Take along some snacks of your own – it’s a nice treat and you can’t rely on all airlines to serve you food you like.
25) Consider upgrading your meal – some airlines offer the option to pre-order choices. Alternatively, buy something after security at the airport and bring it on board – although try to avoid anything smelly that might upset your neighbours.
26) Whether you think alcohol will help you relax is down to personal preference, but if you like a drink, try asking for an extra bottle or can when the trolley comes around. It might not be possible but, if it is, then at least you have created your own creature comfort.
27) Bring your own ear plugs in case the airline doesn’t provide them, and also headphones – preferably noise-cancelling – along with your own choice of music to help pass the time and block out sound while you are sleeping.
28) Consider airlines that offer wifi or good in-flight entertainment. If you doubt your ability to sleep or have built in a day of rest when you arrive before your first appointments, then it’s a good way of passing those sleepless hours.
29) Download some films in advance in case there isn’t much choice in the in-flight entertainment, or none at all.
30) Pack a good book. If you can’t sleep, you’ll get the benefit of finally finishing that tome you’ve been meaning to. If you fall asleep reading it, then it did the trick.
Do you have any tips for surviving long-haul economy?
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