1 of 23

Write now Article Tools

It seems that I find myself frequently taking to the skies. At 6 foot 4, I'm also not a short guy. While posh first-class accommodations fit me well, unfortunately, I can't always afford the cost of sitting up there. Through the years, I've learned some things that can make anyone's experience flying in economy a less uncomfortable experience. Next time you fly, try some of the following tips and tricks I've compiled; you may just find you even enjoy your flight in "the back of the bus!"

* Make use of the overhead bin. Even if you're the king of carry on luggage, try to fit as much of it as possible into the overhead. The reason for this is simple. Keep the area under the seat in front of you clear so that you have more legroom to stretch into. While it may not seem like much, after you've been at 35,000 feet for an hour or two, it'll feel great to stretch your legs a bit. Of course, you may be thinking that you'll get bored during the flight without your bag(s). Before you board the plane, pack a smaller bag or purse with books, MP3 player, snacks, etc. that you'll want during the flight. A small bag under the seat in front of you won't take up too much space and you'll still find that you have some extra leg-stretching room.

* Get a travel pillow. You've probably seen these before; they're donut-shaped pillows, but with a bite taken out them. Take one of these pillows on board to lay your head back on during the flight. It's a lot more comfortable than trying to rest your neck on the hard seat back. You may even manage to sneak in a nap during your flight! Sure, many airlines have a few pillows floating around the cabin (if you're so lucky to get one), but who knows how many heads have been on that pillow before yours?!? If you have some time before your flight, or are on a layover, go to an airport gift shop; you more than likely will be able to find a travel pillow there.

* Check out Consumer Reports. In CR's July 2007 issue, they ranked major air carriers on service, performance, seat size, and seat comfort, among other things. Before you buy a ticket, consider the seat size and comfort on several airlines. Determine if possibly paying a little more to fly on a higher-ranked airline is worth it.

* Bring some good entertainment. Consider an MP3 player or a portable DVD player (both are small enough to fit in your tiny under-seat bag). With some soothing music or a favorite flick, you may just find your mind is distracted and your trip flying (no pun intended!) by a little faster.

* Be wary of how much you drink. This applies both to before your flight and when the stewardess brings around the in-flight beverages. While you certainly don't want to become dehydrated, you also don't want to become over hydrated. If you don't pay attention to this, and say you're not in an aisle seat, you may just find yourself disturbing the other passengers in your row quite a bit. Or worse, what if nature calls right as the captain illuminates the dreaded little "fasten seatbelt" sign? That's happened to me a few times, and it has not been a pleasant experience.

By taking a few simple steps, you can minimize the discomfort of traveling in economy class. While nothing beats the comfort of a first-class seat (at least pertaining to air travel), riding in the back doesn't have to be a total nightmare either. Plan your trip and what you'll carry on the plane accordingly, and you may just find that you have a totally pleasant low-cost travel experience!

Learn more about this author, James Richardson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to travel comfortably in economy?
We want to hear your view. Write now!