Frequent fliers who have grown accustomed to getting upgraded usually end up with a phobia I call econophobia. I’m one of them, especially when it comes to long-haul flights.
Econophobes will pull out all the tricks to try and get upgraded but as they sometimes learn, sitting in a comfy first-class seat isn’t always in the cards. In fact, more often than not, the first/business class cabins are full, the fare rules on the ticket don’t allow for upgrades or it’s just too expensive.
Instead of begging or coming up with a lame excuse, the best thing to do is to secure the best seat in coach. Always do this as early as possible to reserve it. If you don’t know what the top-rated seats are on a particular aircraft, then consult SeatGuru.com.
Arguably the best seats are always in the exit row since they have the most legroom. On some airlines and planes it might be the bulkhead so find out in advance.
If it’s a night flight, I prefer the exit row window and if it’s a day flight, I usually opt for the aisle. But one trick I’ve learned over the years to make my economy seat as comfortable as possible is to use my carry-on roller bag as a leg rest.
Of course, I have to wait until after takeoff but once at a cruising altitude, I take my bag down from the overhead bin, place a blanket or my sweatshirt on top of it and then lay my feet across so it’s like a La-Z-Boy.
The photo above illustrates what I’m talking about, as I fly comfortably across the Atlantic on an American Airlines flight from London to Miami.
I would have been even more comfortable if I’d fully reclined but I didn’t want to be cruel to the passenger behind me. Speaking of which, should you recline your seat at all? It’s a hot topic – what do you think?
Thank Johnny, this really useful for me.
Maybe stop being a diva and be appreciative that you can afford to fly, instead of giving advice and encouraging someone to lie, beg and essentially grovel in order to be upgraded. If you can’t afford to fly business or first class, then you need to accept it and stay in coach. This generation is soooo needy and in the frame of mind of me, me, me. No home training. Wow.
As a frequent business traveller on business class tickets for long haul flights I am certainly an econophobia type of guy. I just admit though I accept the ticket I have is the ticket I have. I don’t play the all the tricks in the book card, my ticket is priced as it is for a reason, it is not premium.
I do enjoy my high frequent flyer status cards and they are beneficial. Numerous times I’ve been upgraded without asking, even upgraded to First Class on Emirates without asking :-)
I think if you plead and try to get something for nothing then you’ll only get the back’s up of the airline staff.
Admittedly, if your ticket allows, then paying for an upgrade with cash or points (or even both) is certainly an option to consider.
As for me, well I just have to suck it up tomorrow. I’m flying with a discount carrier so nothing to upgrade too!
I do agree that seat guru is a great tool to use.
Re flying: I usually travel with my husband, but if we get separated re seating — no big deal. And I choose an aisle seat. Do not enjoy sitting next to huge people who want the arm rest raised and then “spill over” on me — do not enjoy having children next to me. But, my likes are not everybody’s and so let me have them, OK?
1. Checkin as early as possible. Often you can checkin online and choose the best seat (isle, window, or exit row with more leg room).
2. Bring your own entertainment. Use your Ipad and save some films to watch, do some work, or play a game. It is always better than the in-flight entertainment.
3. Earplugs – Crying baby? Tired? Two chatter bugs keeping you awake? Tune out from the noise with earplugs and relax more.
4. If all else fails take a sleeping pill and ask the flight attendant to wake you up just before landing.
I’ve been lucky enough to secure that seat on a LAX-LHR flight and it’s great for economy! One question, though: Did the flight attendants let you keep the bag on the floor in front of the emergency exit door? I would’ve thought that impeding access to an emergency exit like that would not be allowed.
They did let me keep it. But (obviously) not during takeoff and landing
I do ante up for exit row seats on long haul flights. The service will never compete with the front of the plane but at least I’ve got legroom. I am dismayed though at the creep in prices for these seats in the last few years.
I admit it! I have a severe, severe case of econophobia! I am Diamond Medallion on Delta (and Executive Platinum on American thanks to a status match), and on the rare occasions on which I am not upgraded, I’ve even resorted to de-boarding (getting off the flight) and taking a later flight!
Fortunately, Delta has a very liberal same day confirmation policy.
When even coach is full, and you have a bad seat tell the gate agent that you will board last, after upgrades have been made, and that if someone in coach has been upgrade you would like their seat. This works virtually every time. You have to be nice to the sgent though because this gives them one more task as they try to close the flight.
One more thing….
I think that all airline executives should be forced to fly in coach on each and every flight they take.. Maybe then they’d give more comfort in coach!
Not all the seats on AA’s premium Economy have the extra legroom yet. Two weeks ago on a flight, I sat in the section and noticed that I was still squeezed in. When I asked the Flight Attendant about it, they said not all planes have the extra legroom yet.
I believe that writers like you need to go in economy all the time so you can write about how awful travel is for retired tourist like me. If the airlines start getting a lot of bad press instead of glowing reports from your travel in first class and the hotels get bad press from your stays in ordinary rooms rather than suites, maybe they will start upping their game.