Surviving Economy Long Haul
Ah, long-haul flights in economy class: where dreams of luxury travel go to die!
If you want to see the world but, like me, you cannot shell out thousands of thousands of dollars for a lay flat seat that we all dream about scoring, sit back, buckle up, and let’s figure out how to survive!
Seat Selection: You end up with a passenger in front of you who practices yoga every hour on the hour. Namaste to your kneecaps! I recommend splurging on the extra legroom seat if you can. The extra space is a game changer.
Seat Cushion: I recommend purchasing a seat cushion to carry with you. It will make a huge difference for your sore tailbone!
Food Choices: Dinner is served! It’s a mysterious, pre-packaged meal that claims to be chicken but looks more like a science experiment gone wrong. And “breakfast” when you arrive in the morning is typically absolutely terrible. Although some airlines will put out snacks, I highly recommend packing nutrient-dense and non-perishable snacks like trail mix, nuts, seeds, protein bars and jerky.
Inflight Entertainment: Usually airlines will offer a lot of movies to help get you through the flight. I recommend bringing corded headphones although many airlines will offer them to economy passengers if you forget.
Pack Charging Cords AND a Power Bank: Although many planes will have plugs at your seat, not all will, so bring a power bank with you as well. I was recently on a KLM flight that was essentially a flying tin can in the sky and there was no way to charge my phone and I did not have a power bank with me.
Stretching: Although you may annoy your neighbors, stretching at regular intervals will help ease some of the literal pain that you will be in during the flight.
Arrival: After what feels like an eternity, you finally land. You step off the plane, looking like a zombie who just woke up from a coma. Don’t let that shiny tourist brochure fool you; those saggy eyes and bedhead can really ruin that perfect Instagram shot.
So next time you find yourself snugly squeezed into an economy seat for hours on end, remember to laugh through the discomfort! Embrace the chaos, share a smile with your fellow passengers, and document it all for future generations: history needs these epic tales of survival!
