Long flights life hacks

[Fermion]

I drove in Boston a couple of times back in the 80s. My boss made me drive. Pretty crazy!

Back in the early 90s I was dating my now wife. She was going to Brown and I flew into Boston and she picked me up in her manual Honda Civic. The way she weaved and darted around Boston had me gripping my seat. Ah to be 20 again...

 

[oiseux]

If the OP's flight is with United, I believe availability of the premium locations is sometimes reserved initially for mileage program status customers (or for paying upgrades). They now have like five+ levels from basic economy, economy preferred, economy plus/premium economy, premium plus, Polaris/first. Getting status may get you into the tier where you get a bit more leg room or allow you to get those special bulkhead and exit row seats. You can find these locations for your flight/airline combination at seatguru.com. Just note the downside of the exit row is the proximity of the toilets, people hanging around, and the door area can be very cold. I avoid the center bulkhead, as it isn't a lot of room and you have a chance to be bumped by families.

As mentioned, the premium plus seats (wider, even more leg room) are another price tier, and you can buy into that. Each airlines premium economy product varies quite a bit, some are more worth it than others (some even depend on the plane being flown) so referencing seatguru and online reviews (from travel "influencers") can be helpful. I have flown quite a bit when I was w#@king and was a million mile flyer.

On some super long flights we simply would break up the journey and stay a night in a hub location. Often this can produce a cheaper ticketing that will pay for the night in the hotel (but on a separate ticket, some risks).

 

[NoiseBoy]

I don't know of any strategies for getting deals on international business class tickets other than being flexible in your choice of destinations and then searching frequently for bargains. I use the "Explore" feature in Google Flights to do this. I usually add filters for 1 stop or less as well as an overall duration of 24 hours or less to filter out the really odd-ball itineraries.

Regarding Premium Economy class, it is my go-to for trips from Chicago to Europe, which are 7.5 to 9 hours in duration. The price tier generally includes at least one checked bag and the seats are wide and with more legroom than Economy Plus type fares. With some airlines you will get priority boarding and baggage handling too. However, the seats do not lay flat and PE fares generally don't include lounge access so it is not the best fare class for really long flights.

I have never had any luck with upgrades probably because I have never had any level of status with any airline. I would not want to book a ticket in coach for a long flight hoping to upgrade later on, and then find myself stuck in cattle class. I prefer to pay upfront to know what I will be getting for comfort and service. It's what I saved all of life to do!

 

[Teacher Terry]

The most comfortable flight I had was between Dublin and Dallas where I was offered economy plus for an extra 100 and it was great. I had plenty of room and could sleep. Considering I spend 6k on an entire European trip I’m not paying that much for the flight.

 

[Unpaintedhuffhines]

I always have wondered what was behind the curtain. I thought that's where they hung my jacket and ironed my newspapers! haha

I actually cannot imagine flying coach of any sort on an international flight. I just won't go. To get the best deal, look on google flights, be flexible on your travel dates, and book way in advance. I'm talking 330 days in advance (I think that is the limit). If you've got miles, look to use miles or miles+money. The days of waiting until the last minute to get a good deal are over.

 

[Peter]

I had a trip to the UK last month, premium economy both ways. It was fine. The only thing, though, was that the economy section out back was almost empty. People were stretched out across sets of aisle seats. I would have been better on that occasion to go cheap. Suspect in peak season, that would not be the case!

 

[Koolau]

I had a trip to the UK last month, premium economy both ways. It was fine. The only thing, though, was that the economy section out back was almost empty. People were stretched out across sets of aisle seats. I would have been better on that occasion to go cheap. Suspect in peak season, that would not be the case!

Most of our "long" flights are to and from Hawaii. It has been literally decades since I have seen enough room to lie down anyplace in coach. There might be a couple of empty seats on the entire aircraft - probably due to no-shows (late arrivals on other planes). There are two kinds of season for Hawaii travel. High season and off season. Hard to tell the difference in number of passengers - maybe a difference in price per seat.

 

[ShadowBloom]

I had a trip to the UK last month, premium economy both ways. It was fine. The only thing, though, was that the economy section out back was almost empty. People were stretched out across sets of aisle seats. I would have been better on that occasion to go cheap. Suspect in peak season, that would not be the case!

On my recent trip to the UK, I had premium economy going there and business class coming back. I actually preferred the premium economy. The seats were roomy enough for me and the service was a notch up from basic economy. In business, we had individual "pods" and I found that felt very isolating.

 

[marko]

.The seats were roomy enough for me and the service was a notch up from basic economy. In business, we had individual "pods" and I found that felt very isolating.

From what I've seen of the shenanigans from some of the flying public of late, I'll take all the isolation that I can get.

 

[marko]

I always have wondered what was behind the curtain. I thought that's where they hung my jacket and ironed my newspapers! haha

I once joked to a flight attendant "Hey, do you know there's PEOPLE sitting back there!!!?"

Four million miles and only one flight in economy. Never again.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I once joked to a flight attendant "Hey, do you know there's PEOPLE sitting back there!!!?"

Four million miles and only one flight in economy. Never again.

For us it is the same thing, we only fly business or first class. If we decide it's too much money, we bag it for another year. I just spent $8.5K for a round trip in business class for myself to Asia in March. Cannot imagine not having my own space, and lie flat. I am also a germaphobe, so the further I am away from the next person the better.

 

[NoiseBoy]

One more benefit to flying in Premium Economy that is important to me is the fact that it is a separate cabin on most planes with its own overhead storage bins. That means that I never have to worry about having to put my carryon backpack underneath the seat in front of me. I'm 6' 3" tall so flying in coach with a backpack stuffed underneath the seat would be miserable. Therefore, I buy my way out of that situation which reduces the stress of flying.

Flying to Europe from Chicago, I've found that the basic math for fares is that PE class is roughly twice the cost of an economy ticket while business class is four times the coach fare. In practice, the works out to be about $750 for coach, $1,500 for premium economy, and $3,000 to fly in business class. My longterm average for round-trip airfare is $1714 and that includes one business class trip to Thailand.

 

[pb4uski]

I was so lucky while working as I qualified for business class on trips to Europe and for first class on trips to Korea. At the time, round trip to the UK was about $6-7k and to Seoul was about $10k.

I recall my first trip to Korea. A domestic leg from the east coast to LAX connecting to an Asiana Airlines flight from LAX to Seoul. I was bushed even though it was a daytime flight and as soon as we were wheels up I tilted back and took a nap. Next thing that I knew I woke up and the flight attendant had taken off my shoes and stowed them under the seat in front of me and draped a light blanket over me. While Asiana's planes we nothing special they made up for it in service on that flight. Unfortunately, I didn't ever end up flying them again.

Similiarly, I had a great one-time experience on Virgin Atlantic from London to JFK. Again, the plane was ok, but they made up for it in service, including short head or neck massages while in flight. You would sign up before departure and the massuse would come to your seat and get you when she got to you on the list and bring you back to a seat and do the massage and then you woudl return to your seat. Pretty cool.

 

[bluelight]

I haven't flown economy for years, I just can't do that anymore. Premium economy is our usual for international. Flew back to NY from London last week and when I scanned my boarding ticket the red buzzer went off. I couldn't figure out what the issue was until the gate agent told me that we had been upgraded from premium economy to business class. I have no idea why, but it was pretty wonderful. It will be hard going back.

 

[marko]

I was so lucky while working as I qualified for business class on trips to Europe and for first class on trips to Korea. At the time, round trip to the UK was about $6-7k and to Seoul was about $10k.

I recall my first trip to Korea. A domestic leg from the east coast to LAX connecting to an Asiana Airlines flight from LAX to Seoul. I was bushed even though it was a daytime flight and as soon as we were wheels up I tilted back and took a nap. Next thing that I knew I woke up and the flight attendant had taken off my shoes and stowed them under the seat in front of me and draped a light blanket over me. While Asiana's planes we nothing special they made up for it in service on that flight. Unfortunately, I didn't ever end up flying them again.

Similiarly, I had a great one-time experience on Virgin Atlantic from London to JFK. Again, the plane was ok, but they made up for it in service, including short head or neck massages while in flight. You would sign up before departure and the massuse would come to your seat and get you when she got to you on the list and bring you back to a seat and do the massage and then you woudl return to your seat. Pretty cool.

+1. First on Singapore Air was equally exceptional. Dom Perignon for a pre-flight cocktail and a leather bound book of wine lables to choose from at dinner time. They actually opened an $80 bottle of wine just for me.

 

[MinnUser]

We fly comfort plus on Delta or similar seats for other airlines. Perhaps because I am cheap or I have the ability to tolerate a bit of discomfort for short time periods, but I don't think first class is worth it. On average on a domestic flight it's only a few hours, I can deal with anything for that long. To Europe it's still not worth it to me, especially not for thousands of dollars.

We flew to New Zealand right after they lifted the travel restrictions due to covid. We actually booked the flights right before covid hit, so we were delayed a couple of years. Not only did we lose our comfy lie flat seats, we had to pay more for a lower quality cabin seta because prices went up.

We fly to Europe in August, hoping travel at that time goes well. We also fly to South America in December for our Antarctica trip, that we have not booked the flight yet, but I am a bit nervous as there have been so many flight disruptions this year due to various issues

 

[richardsok]

It couldn't be helped. We had to fly to Copenhagen for a wedding and our best connection had only coach seats if wife insisted on sitting together. (She does!)

Now I'm not an airplane napper. I'll squirm or fret. I'll stretch and only get frustrated to still be awake hour after hour. I'll try my wife's "neck-wrap" pillow and it only gives me an aching back. Nothing ever worked. Worse yet, I see some airlines have adjusted their coach seats to limit how far back you can recline. Sleeping on a plane has ALWAYS been a lifelong frustration until I tried THIS:

https://www.amazon.com/Inflatable-Airplane-inflatable-Sleeping-Comfortably/dp/B07VHPFK5B/ref=sr_1_6?sr=8-6

I'll eat lightly and wear a sweater or light jacket. I try to get some light exercise before boarding just by walking up and down the terminal a few times. No caffeine for six hours before take-off. I take two melatonin pills and a small glass of red wine and read until I feel a little drowsy. Then I break out this "lean forward" pillow, settle in comfortably, with the airline blanket draped over me, (not around me). I think happy thoughts or memories -- and it works. Yeah, I know it looks ridiculous, but I'm telling you, it works. I sleep on long flights now. I'm 76 and I'd never slept on a plane before.

If you try it, this is the one to get. I note on Amazon similar models are "frequently returned".

 

[Guamaniac]

This sounds like me. I just ordered the pillow because I can never sleep leaning back-I always lean forward. Thanks Richard.

 

[Franklin]

Recently purchased a first class ticket to Curacao on Delta from ATL (4 hour trip). Used the companion TIX Delta supplies with the Platinum card (one per year). The companion has to be the identical
route and flight. It was free. Saved me $ .

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I took two overseas trips last year and didn’t regret spending the money on business class one bit. A BTD that was truly worth it, at least for DW and me.

I used to fly fairly frequently to Honolulu for work. On one return flight I was next to a soldier returning from leave back to the Middle East. Home for her was Guam, she stopped in HNL (where I began), and then to ATL (I think, might have been Dallas),and from there to Kuwait City via military transport after a bus ride to whatever base it was. With no layovers! We were both in economy or I would have given up my seat if it had been better. My heart went out to her in more ways than one.

 

[FIYes]

I’ve never flown anything but economy. I’m willing to put up with that for the cost savings.

I’ll admit that I’m very jealous of people who can sleep on long flights. Even in economy some folks get a good nap. On our recent trip to Europe our flight over wasn’t bad. The plane had a two-four-two configuration and DH and had two seats, Aisle and window. On the return trip we were not able to check in ahead of time so both DH and I ended up in middle seats. I was directly in front of DH, so I didn’t recline my seat. Often he gets the person in front of him who reclines the seat as far as it will go.

 

[pb4uski]

... Often he gets the person in front of him who reclines the seat as far as it will go.

You do realize that the person in front of him is entitled to recline their seat as far as it goes if they wish to, right? And in turn, he is entitled to recline his seat as far as it goes if he wishes to. That's the way it works.

 

[deserat]

Reading thread with interest. Premium economy is a sweet spot for long international flights from a value perspective. All of my last few over the ocean flights have been in that sweet spot. And thank goodness-India was 14 hours one way from Newark after 3-4 hour flight from Tampa...and return. It makes a huge difference-that and noise canceling headphones. Did Australia similarly: 5 hours to SFO then 14 hours Sydney...changed airlines in Australia to fly to Perth. Had a 9 hour layover, bud fir 1sr class lowest bid possible and got it. Best part was immediately access to lounge-food, shower and sleep. Was able to quickly adjust to 11-12 hour time zone change.

Will be flying to London in June...bought business class seats....realize it will be that or premium economy from now on, so needs to be budgeted in. Thing is, I travel for 2-5 or more weeks, and independently using many different styles/levels of comfort, so trips aren't as expensive as they could be. I usually always try to use public transport, don't need expensive hotels and in general only ear out once a day and/or get things at grocery store for meals.

In any case, cheapness for these seats is relative...using points and/or tracking with google flights is a good idea.

 

[zangbao]

My butt and back can no longer withstand long flights. But prices for international business class tickets still are a little outside of my comfort zone.

That said, I found a good deal on business class ticket on Starlux airlines from Seattle to Bangkok with a short layover in Taipei. Paid $3600 round trip. I booked a roomette on Amtrak from Chicago to Seattle for $650. I used points on return trip from SEA.

I normally gorge on food at the lounges so I never really appreciate the food on the plane as I'm already too full.

 

[FIYes]

You do realize that the person in front of him is entitled to recline their seat as far as it goes if they wish to, right? And in turn, he is entitled to recline his seat as far as it goes if he wishes to. That's the way it works.

Yes, I understand that and neither he nor I ever complain to the recliner. My comment was that at least I could in this situation make it a little better for him.