How bad is flying economy these days?
Discussion
Some background - in standard PH director style we only ever fly business (or premium as an absolute worst case), last time I flew economy was short haul about 20 years ago.
Now I've found an absolute bargain trip and five star hotel in the Seychelles but economy flights only are available (last minute booking).
Is long haul economy actually tolerable for PH director level people which could be worth it for such a bargain trip, or will it ruin the experience because basic economy is so terrible?
Now I've found an absolute bargain trip and five star hotel in the Seychelles but economy flights only are available (last minute booking).
Is long haul economy actually tolerable for PH director level people which could be worth it for such a bargain trip, or will it ruin the experience because basic economy is so terrible?
I don’t know how rich I’d have to be to think business is worth it, but it’s a lot richer than I am!
I consider it my gladly paying myself £2-3k to sleep in a slightly tight chair for 10 hours and watch films on my iPad.
Economy is fine, if you can get over yourself.
It’ll be fine - go on holiday! (Don’t get last row seats or by toilets and get a window and centre so someone else isn’t interrupting you to get out the window seat)
I consider it my gladly paying myself £2-3k to sleep in a slightly tight chair for 10 hours and watch films on my iPad.
Economy is fine, if you can get over yourself.
It’ll be fine - go on holiday! (Don’t get last row seats or by toilets and get a window and centre so someone else isn’t interrupting you to get out the window seat)
OP - it depends on airline. I’ve had perfectly reasonable experiences flying 12 hours to Japan in economy and painful flights to Europe from the US.
I recently flew economy from NYC to LA and had a perfectly reasonable flight to the point upgrading to the lousy US domestic business didn’t make sense.
I am larger than the average person and I have come to realize what the issue of many is. I’m not huge but there is volume and I’m 6’3”. I’m extremely aware of my space and get the window seat so I can lean up against it. I’ve had issues with people bumping their elbows into me and huffing. What they don’t realize is that 100% of the time it’s when they are on my side of the arm rest. People are not aware of how often they violate my space. Moving their bag, putting on or taking off a sweater. Anything.
I once had a girl, who was drunk, loudly complaining that I was getting in her way when clearly she was on my side of the arm rest. She ended up fast asleep on my shoulder during the flight. I asked her boy friend to remove her because I wasn’t getting arrested. But, she did it many times and meant I couldn’t sleep.
On second thoughts OP f
k economy.
I recently flew economy from NYC to LA and had a perfectly reasonable flight to the point upgrading to the lousy US domestic business didn’t make sense.
Actual said:
alock said:
The only reason to be that worried is if you have a physical disability, you're old and immobile, or you're fat.
Which is it so that people can better direct advice?
Or if the person in the next seat to you has a physical disability, old, immobile or fat...Which is it so that people can better direct advice?
I once had a girl, who was drunk, loudly complaining that I was getting in her way when clearly she was on my side of the arm rest. She ended up fast asleep on my shoulder during the flight. I asked her boy friend to remove her because I wasn’t getting arrested. But, she did it many times and meant I couldn’t sleep.
On second thoughts OP f
k economy. Every time I am about to justify the cost of flying Business (family of 4), I snap out of it realising its much better to just put that money towards a top-end suite at a 5* resort hotel. The time endured on a long-haul economy flight is more than offset by a much better stay for a 7-10 days. Kids are going to get bored and be a pain to entertain irrespective of whether you are in Economy, Business and First.
If I was flying solo, maybe justifying it would be a bit easier.
If I was flying solo, maybe justifying it would be a bit easier.
Compared to 20 years ago the TV screen is bigger and HD, movies are on demand. Seats and food are probably the same. Check out Simply Aviation on YouTube who will have reviewed whichever airline you're flying. They only really fly economy. I'm guessing it's via the Middle East as it's cheap.
I’ve done a few long flights, mostly in business for the really long ones, you forget you’re travelling and it is fairly pleasant dare I say. A year ago I had to do a 13 hour flight in economy. It was actually horrible, it wiped me out coming back as I didn’t sleep barely at all - I had exit row too - I think my personal cut off for business would be about 10-11 hours.
I’ve got to go to Colorado in a couple of weeks, company policy is business over 10 hours, it’s 9hr50 from London so I’ll have to get premium eco - it’ll be horrible I imagine. Sleeping pills could help.
I’ve got to go to Colorado in a couple of weeks, company policy is business over 10 hours, it’s 9hr50 from London so I’ll have to get premium eco - it’ll be horrible I imagine. Sleeping pills could help.
I do Singapore to UK twice a year (5 weeks summer, 3 weeks Christmas) with wife and two kids. 12-13 hours of discomfort, and crappy food. Going economy saves many thousands, which is enjoyed on arrival by having a nicer hire car and upgraded hotels. I'm just a shade under 6ft and can never get to fully sleep. I have flown with all that do that route, Qatar Airways have by far the most uncomfortable seats.
But all is quickly forgotten upon landing. The holiday should be worth the effort.
But all is quickly forgotten upon landing. The holiday should be worth the effort.
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