12 Hacks for a First-Class Feel in Economy

If there’s one thing we all know, it’s the difficulty that comes with trying to get comfortable on a flight. The armroom is limited, and the legroom seems to vanish the moment someone reclines their seat in front of you. Still, nothing beats being able to travel and broaden our horizons. So, we do what we must. 

Below, we have a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of your time in economy. We’re talking personalized toiletry kits, cocktail kits, and decadent treats for a post-meal moment of joy. Let’s run through each item and see if we can make room for them in our carry-ons the next time we’re flying. 

Research the Airline

If you have your eye on a certain travel route and see a few different options coming up, dig deeper into each airline. As you may know, economy is not a one-size-fits-all situation between airlines and aircraft. Check out sites like SeatGuru, which help you measure the pitch and width of the seats, as well as other important tidbits like whether or not there’s power at each seat and WiFi onboard.  

Study the Seat Chart

If you’re able to select your seats when you’re purchasing your tickets, don’t take it lightly. Do you want to be by the window? If so, you’ll have to wake people up every time you need to go to the bathroom. Alternatively, maybe you’d rather be in the aisle seat so you have free rein to sit and stand. Just know that you may be tapped on your shoulder the moment you drift off. If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, consider paying for those extra legroom seats. You’ll feel the difference the moment you sit down. And, on a final note, you may be tempted to take the exit row seats because they automatically come with extra legroom. That’s fair enough. But, just remember those seats don’t recline. 

Treat Yourself to the Upgrade

Really, more spacious legroom is the biggest key to settling in nicely on a flight. If you can negotiate something within your budget to make room for an upgrade, do it – especially if you’re taking a long flight. If that’s just not within the realm of possibility, keep your eyes open for empty seats. If the flight isn’t full, there’s a possibility the flight attendants will allow you to move to another empty seat that may be less cramped than your chosen one. 

Have Something to Cozy Under

Once you’re settled into your seat and the distractions like drinks and food are over, it will be very nice to cozy under a sweater or blanket. If you have room for it in your carry-on, bring a nice, soft blanket that won’t take up too much space. Alternatively, you can make it part of your airport ensemble by wearing a soft, cozy sweater. You can take it off and put it over you as a blanket when you’re ready to settle in.