There’s a dirty little secret amongst frequent fliers: We don’t like to fly economy. Especially on long-haul flights. Some of us may even have a fear of flying coach on any length of flight and it’s becoming a growing trend. Since there doesn’t appear to be a scientific name already, I would like to introduce a new word into the English dictionary: Econophobia [e-con-oh-foh-bee-uh] — Noun. An abnormal fear of flying in economy on commercial airlines. Origin: Late 20th-century when US airlines began cutting costs, shrinking legroom and significantly reducing service. RELATED: Here’s How You Can Really Get Upgraded to First Class
Econophobia usually occurs when one grows up spoiled or becomes an elite member of an airline’s frequent flier program. The latter gets used to perks like free or heavily discounted upgrades. Airline executives act like crack dealers since they give members a taste of what it’s like on the other side of the curtain, knowing they will get addicted and come back for more … though of course, it comes at a cost.
Getting upgraded isn’t easy. There are times (more often than not, for me) when the first/business class cabin is full, the fare rules on the ticket don’t allow for upgrades or it’s just too expensive.
This is when it can get ugly for econophobes as they tend to pull out all the tricks, coming up with all kinds of excuses to reservation agents, check-in agents, gate agents and flight attendants about why they need to get upgraded: I’m on my honeymoon, I’m too tall, I hurt my back in a car accident. Just full-on begging.
But if you’re an econophobe, all is not lost. I’ve written lots of tips to help make it less painful flying coach. First, here’s how you can really get upgraded to first class, here’s how to make coach feel like first class and here are 7 hacks for getting the best coach seat on a plane.
And of course, we also have to make sure we’re not part of the problem in coach by avoiding these 10 terrible, horrible, no good, very bad airplane habits. And here are 10 common air travel pet peeves and how to deal with them.
Are you or is anyone you know an econophobe? How do you deal with it? Leave a comment!
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I totally have it. Also, I will not fly any other airline except for Delta. I like to say the only thing I am bougie about is traveling so First Class, Business Class, or Delta Comfort for flights and 5 star hotels are things I am willing to pay for.
Yup, I have it.
It probably came on about 15 years ago and I’m not sure why.
I have done 4 return trips USA to South Africa in economy. I have also done LAX-SYD-LAX in economy, and many others as well.
I have been on a total of 1553 flights.
Around 600 of those have been on single class aircraft.
So that leaves 953 flights. Of those I have been upgraded 317 times.
I will do economy if the flight is half full. My last flight in economy had about 100 empty seats and so I had a whole row to myself.
Can someone give some NEWS WE CAN USE ?
Forgot, but What is the website that gives the average load factor of the flight? And the load factor as a person is nearer time to fly? If the transatlantic flight is 1/2 or 2/3 full in coach, we can work with that.
I don’t mind those long haul Lufthansa flights when I have 4,5, or 6 seats to spread out. Thanks for the information.
I’ve been calling it cattle class for years!
jezzz, I suffer so badly from Econophobia, I won’t even fly from Sydney to Melbourne (60 minute flight) in economy, and will not hop on an international flight if there is no bed. I now plan to claim the cost on medical insurance
I’ve flown Business class a few times at my company’s expense. Most of my flights are economy. I could never justify the cost of anything but an economy seat. I hate economy on lomg haul flights but I wouldn’t consider myself an econophobe even though I struggle to sleep on planes. As long as I’ve got an aisle seat to get up and stretch when necessary I’m okay.
I am afraid I have a very acute case of this disease. I actually refuse to fly economy long haul – I won’t go.