Business class is nice…but so is keeping your money and still feeling 10/10 at 35,000 feet. If you travel often (or even just dream about it constantly), you’ll know the feeling of turning right on the plane and wondering what it’s like on the other side of the mysterious curtain! We all want to land feeling refreshed, energised and ready to explore, but we don’t all want to pay all that money to upgrade!
Want to feel great on your next flight? With a few little “upgrades”, the correct preparation, and the right mindset, you can turn your economy seat into a much better experience - without paying business-class prices.
Want to try out these tips? Here are some incredible Gals Who Travel trips to try them out on!
We’ve all heard the rumours that if you dress a little fancy, they might just upgrade you literally, but we also have noticed we feel so much better on a flight if we are in an outfit that we love and feels comfortable too! We’re talking, matching joggers and hoodies, tbh, matching sets of any kind, actually! Even comfy jeans, flares, anything that makes you feel amazing but also if good for a snooze too!
Extra tip: Compression socks = unsexy but elite travel hack. Your future self will thank you. Packing these on a long-haul flight will become your new travel must!
Business class passengers don’t just get more legroom, they get rituals and a bit of pampering treatment. You can have those too, and it's super affordable too! Why not run to your local pharmacy in preparation for your next flight and compile a kit filled with luxuries and bits that will make you feel pampered in the sky?
Ideas for your pamper kit:
- A silk or satin sleep mask
- Some of your favourite sweets
- Noise-cancelling headphones or good earplugs (we love Loop)
- Essential Oils Spray (lavender for calming or something citrus-based to feel fresh!)
- Face Moisturiser
- Deodorant
- Face mask
- Face mist
- Pain killers
- Lip balm
- Hand cream
- A clean pair of cosy socks (or compression socks - can you tell we love them?)
- Sanitising wipes and/or hand gel
The act of pulling out your own little luxury kit instantly turns any flight into a little treat! Relax, recharge and enjoy!
Nothing kills the illusion of luxury faster than sad airline pasta. Obviously, if the food turns out to be great, then that's a bonus, but we always pack enough snacks for the journey, just in case!
- Grab a fresh salad, sushi, or sandwich post-security
- Bring some of your fave snacks, treat yourself! (Remember also you can bring these in your carry-on as long as they are sealed!)
- Removing the worry of “will I be hungry?” “What’s the food going to taste like?” or even “when will the food come out?” makes every flight more enjoyable and will give you one less thing to think about.
- Also, eating food you actually chose makes the flight feel intentional - and keeps your energy up when you land.
Business class gets better screens… but you get options.
A few days before your flight, set a reminder to:
- Download your comfort shows or a binge-worthy series (extra tip: we always choose a show we are midway through, that way you know you’ll love it!)
- Load up podcasts or audiobooks
- Create a feel-good playlist just for flying
- Charge your headphones and even pack your wired ones too to make sure you are never without them!
When you’re wrapped in a blanket, headphones on, watching something you love, the seat matters way less than you think, and the time will fly by!
Not all economy seats are created equal.
If you can:
- Choose an aisle seat for freedom and stretching
- Pick exit rows for extra legroom (often cheap or free)
- Avoid seats near bathrooms
A little research before check-in can dramatically change your experience, without upgrading your ticket.
Business class feels luxurious because it’s uninterrupted. Economy seats can be like that too!
Use your flight to:
- Journal or plan your trip (we love this, on the way to your destination, set your intentions, and on the way home, you can reflect on these)
- Read something indulgent (ACOTAR is a personal fave!)
- Do a skincare routine (yes, even in economy)
- Close your eyes and actually rest (save some relaxing white noise music ready)
So there you go, there are some ideas on how to upgrade your next flight without it costing the earth! Ultimately, it's all about the little things on a flight, and a bit of prep can make any long-haul flight SO much better!
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