I’ve Never Flown Business Class. Here’s How I Make My Economy Seat as Comfortable as Possible

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A business-class seat may not be in the cards, but don’t resign yourself to a terrible flight experience just yet. See a few ways to zhuzh things up a bit. 

Every time I board a plane and have to walk through business class to reach my seat, I grumble to myself just a little bit. Those seats sure look comfy, politely spaced out and with plentiful legroom. It’s a little unfair to have to march by that luxury to reach the economy section, isn’t it?

But even though I’ve always coveted one of those business-class seats, I’ve never been able to bring myself to cough up the cash or credit card miles to book one. I’d rather spread out my spending on the entire trip, and maybe book a nicer hotel or more excursions than I otherwise would have. As a result, I’ve had a lot of practice making my economy class seat as comfortable as it can be over the years. Here are some of the best tips I’ve found that work for me.

Bring your own provisions

I’ve never been a big fan of plane food, despite it sometimes being included in the cost of a ticket. And I’m definitely not a fan of paying those high prices to eat in the terminal before a flight. Instead, I like to pack my own snacks and meals when I fly.

I’ll include a variety of healthy items, like granola bars and trail mix, to munch on either out of hunger or boredom. I’ll also prepare a hearty, packable meal that I can bring with me on the go (think chicken salad, chickpea salad, and grain bowls). By avoiding super salty, processed foods on travel days when I’m stuck sitting at the gate and on the plane for hours at a time, I feel a lot healthier and more comfortable.

It’s also a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle when you travel, rather than relying on pricey sugary or alcoholic drinks purchased in the airport or on the plane. Dehydration can make you feel sluggish and bloated, which are two things I definitely want to avoid when I’m flying.

Pack all the creature comforts for a red eye

If the price is right, I’ll book an overnight flight to avoid “wasting” a day of vacation on travel, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it. It takes me a while to fall asleep in the best of conditions, and a cramped economy seat is certainly not that. Over the years, I’ve learned what to bring on a red eye that makes for a more comfortable setup.

I make sure to pack a quality eye mask and ear plugs, as well as a reliable neck pillow. Not all neck pillows work for everyone, but I’ve found a version that keeps me supported without feeling as if I’m being strangled, and it truly makes a difference in being able to nod off on a flight.

I also like bringing noise-canceling headphones to pop on over my ear plugs if a flight is especially noisy, and an oversized scarf I can use as a blanket if needed. I’m sure I look very Weekend at Bernie’s-chic once I’m wrapped up in all my gear, but if I can catch even a few hours of sleep, it’s worth it.

Check seating maps when selecting a seat

Basic economy tickets don’t always allow you to pick your seat when booking your flight, but when the option is available, I’ll search online before making my selection.

I use Seat Guru to search my flight number and see the seat map, which will tell me which seats have extra legroom, don’t recline, or are next to a bathroom. This helps me make a more informed decision and ideally end up in a roomier row.

Book with a travel credit card

I always use one of my travel credit cards when I book a flight to ensure I get a few extra comforts on travel day. A good airline credit card can get you in the priority boarding group, even on the basic economy fare, which means you’ll have early dibs on that precious overhead bin space. These credit cards also include a free checked bag if you’d rather only carry a personal item onto the plane with you, which will free up even more legroom under the seat in front of you.

Some cards even include airport lounge access, whether as a regular perk or a once-a-year pass. While this doesn’t make the flight itself more comfortable, it can provide some nice amenities and a relaxing experience before you board, which will put you in a better state of mind in the air.

Fly in comfort

Booking an economy ticket is a great way to spread out your vacation budget, but it’s not going to be the most comfortable choice. Plan ahead and do what you can to make your flight a gentler ride so you can start and end your trip on a better note without making a business class-size dent in your personal finances.

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