10 ways to make economy class feel like first class

You’re traveling on a budget, and Kiwi.com sure is here for you in that — we’re masters at selling cheap economy-class plane tickets. But flying in economy doesn’t mean you have to have a miserable, uncomfortable journey! Check out these 10 hacks that’ll improve your flight experience, to make economy class feel like first class.

Do a little research before you choose a carrier to fly with, as not all economy-class services are the same. Some (mostly budget) airlines merely provide the bare bones of what it’s like to travel on a plane: a seat and a seatbelt, and perhaps an in-flight magazine that serves primarily to promote their overpriced refreshments. Meanwhile, though it’s becoming increasingly uncommon, some legacy carriers still offer free drinks to their economy passengers. The amount of legroom that you get in economy also varies from airline to airline, so it’s worth looking at this, too. After all, few experiences could be further from first-class than sitting with your knees bent almost up to your chest. Speaking of legroom…

The exit-row seats are typically one of the spots in the cabin that offers the most legroom — Getty Images

This is the most obvious way to better your economy class experience: pick a seat that offers more legroom or a recline function. Again, even by the standards of one airline or aircraft, not every seat necessarily provides the same amount of comfort, and this is even true of budget airlines. A front-row seat, an exit-row seat, or a seat behind a bulkhead (a physical partition) is the way to go for more space. With this in mind, it’s worth booking your flight early. The sooner you book your flight, the sooner you can reserve the best seat for that mock first-class experience.

An eye mask and a horseshoe-shaped pillow are musts — Getty Images

This is the first category of typically first-class perks on this list (spoiler: we’re going to tell you to provide them all yourself). If you know in advance that you won’t be getting any from your airline, here are some pointers for picking the best sleeping essentials. You want a soft but breathable blanket, a horseshoe-shaped travel pillow so that your neck is supported, and an eye mask with contoured eye cups. The eye cups ensure that the mask doesn’t put any pressure directly on your eyes, allowing them the space they need during the rapid eye movement stage of sleep, resulting ultimately in better-quality rest.

What else can you expect in economy class but don’t tend to hear in first class? Crying children, of course. Drown them out with a good pair of noise-canceling headphones, or for some proper peace and quiet, some decent earplugs. We recommend using wax earplugs — they’re cheap, you mold them so that they actually stay in your ear, and they block out everything.

On the topic of noise-canceling headphones, naturally, you’ll need something to play through them. Load up your devices with movies, shows, podcasts, and music to keep your mind occupied during the flight. And if that riveting in-flight magazine just doesn’t quite cut it, read your favorite book, or play some games if you’re traveling with someone else.

Fly Legs Up has created some ingenious gear that allows you to stretch your legs, feet off the floor, in an economy-class airplane seat. It’s essentially a leg hammock that attaches to your tray table, complete with inflatable cushions that can be rearranged to support different lounging positions. This supposedly alleviates pressure from your back, unlocking a whole new level of comfort. It might look a bit difficult to get the “hang” of, but this hack is the closest thing you can get to a first-class airplane bed.

A complimentary amenity kit is something ubiquitous in first class, but can’t always be expected in economy. Collect your favorite toiletry miniatures — eye cream, eye drops, lip balm, face mist, and moisturizer to soothe, some wipes, toothpaste and a toothbrush — to ensure you stay refreshed during your flight. You could even go one step further and mimic a spa experience with a face mask or an essential oil roller. A little aromatherapy never hurt anyone!

We’re not necessarily suggesting caviar and foie gras, here; just your favorite snacks that the airline probably wouldn’t stock in economy class (and even if it did, you’d need to pay for anyway). It might sound simple, but having something to eat that you really enjoy can significantly improve your flight experience… and we wouldn’t particularly trust the meals served in economy to hit that spot.

A post shared by Cocktail Kits 2 Go (@cocktailkits2go)

Even the most generous of carriers are unlikely to serve decent, reasonably-priced cocktails to their economy-class passengers, but don’t let this stop you from feeling like you’re living the high life. Nowadays, you can get cocktail kits that are designed specifically to be taken in your carry-on onto a plane. They usually include all the non-liquid ingredients for a particular cocktail, a mixing spoon or mini shaker, as well as the recipe. Pick up a bottle of mixer after security, and although according to the rules, you’ll still need to get the alcohol on board, it’s a small cost for what you’ll have in the end: a refreshing treat that’s much closer to a bar-standard drink.

Getting off a plane and making your way through the airport only to feel lost on the other side is far from the first-class experience. We know you’re cash-conscious, so we’re not saying you should hire a shiny black car or anything, but just knowing ahead of time where you need to go at your destination and how you’re going to get there will make you feel more relaxed. Arrange for a taxi to pick you up if you can afford it, or book onward bus or train tickets in advance of your flight. It’s a little thing that contributes to the overall smoothness of a long-distance journey, which is what first-class travel is all about!

We have more travel hacks and inspiration on Kiwi.com Stories.