hints to make y class more palatable?

[LAH]

Part whinge, and yes, I’ll sound like a bit of a princess as well. Excuse the long post!

I travel frequently for work, all travel equaling 35 hours plus with stops, changing flights etc. I read with interest those that can’t understand why self funded flyers would travel in business class.

Well, I am not exactly self funded, but I do have responsibility to the company I work for to keep costs down. This has become a little more important lately and I may have to travel economy class. I loathe economy class. I have suffered from arthritis since my mid 30’s and travel in economy class in my late thirties and early forties was an endurance – taking 4 - 5 days to recover from – that is, physically. I can’t stand the crowds, the service …….. and being one person, I was often moved even though I had status – often finding myself in the middle of a row! Hated it, awful, not productive on arrival . After 35 – 45 hours travelling, it even takes me a day or two to recover on arrival!

So, any suggestions for making my Y class trip more comfortable? “enjoyable”?

Have to tell a quick story about my solo status (can I say solo female?) I was once travelling back from LAX with QF, full j class fare. Seated next to a gentleman whose ife was not working. He complained bitterly – I offered to swap as I wanted to sleep. Must admit I regretted my offer when I found that sleep didn’t come, but read my book and lived with it. On arrival to Sydney, the FA came up to the gentleman with a bottle of champagne to apologise for the inconvenience!!!!!!! Being the gentleman he obviously was, he suggested that either the FA make the offer to me, or even provide both of us with the ‘compensation’. FA was put out, but organized a bottle for me too. This was in business class, but in economy class I was often asked to move from selected seat for various reasons ……. And asked is not the word, they were not going to accept no for an answer. Is this what I have to look forward to again?

Help me – hints for travelling a little more comfortably in Y class as a single passenger - if I am with a colleague, at least we are not so ‘aware’ of intruding on each others space! Look forward to your answers.

 

[LAH]

by the way, I am wp QF, and prem exec UA. Not sure how to add this to my user name.

 

[JohnM]

This is a hard one.

About the only thing I can suggest is careful seat selection - eg. 80A or K on the QFA380. BA 747s also have a similar 'tucked' away window seat directly behind the exit row in whY. But geting these would require booking very early, I'd suggest. Unsure about other airlines, but check out Seat Guru.

Good luck!

 

[yohy?!]

Life saving Y travel items would have to be - noise cancelling earbuds (or headphones) and sleeping medication. Sensory deprivation is the only way to go!

+pray for an op-up on the day

 

[TonyHancock]

LSensory deprivation is the only way to go!

Yep, that pretty much sums it up. I favour the odd "tipple" for medicinal purposes.

I always go for bulkhead seats, I dislike seats reclining into me.

 

[Justchecking]

Pay extra for exit row seating. You are less likely to be shunted if you pay for it and there are restrictions on who can sit there so it's a less likely target for a move. If they shunt you, they have to compensate you. Pay for a higher class of economy fare. The good seats are usually only available to those flying on higher fare buckets. The special fares all get shoved down the back with limited or no seat selection.

 

[JohnM]

by the way, I am wp QF, and prem exec UA. Not sure how to add this to my user name.

Open My Profile (top right of screen near log-in).

Select About Me tab.

Edit Basic Information

 

[LAH]

This is a hard one.

About the only thing I can suggest is careful seat selection - eg. 80A or K on the QFA380. BA 747s also have a similar 'tucked' away window seat directly behind the exit row in whY. But geting these would require booking very early, I'd suggest. Unsure about other airlines, but check out Seat Guru.

Good luck!

seat selection much appreciated. Hopefully my wp status will help in getting what I want. Thankyou John!

 

[LAH]

Life saving Y travel items would have to be - noise cancelling earbuds (or headphones) and sleeping medication. Sensory deprivation is the only way to go!

+pray for an op-up on the day

I am working on improving my prayer techniques - you are right, medication may be the way to go! Thank you!

 

[LAH]

Yep, that pretty much sums it up. I favour the odd "tipple" for medicinal purposes.

I always go for bulkhead seats, I dislike seats reclining into me.

thank you, I hadn't thought about the seats 'reclinging into me' - really good suggestion! And the 'tipple' for medicinal purposes is definitely the go! :idea:

 

[LAH]

thank you, I hadn't thought about the seats 'reclinging into me' - really good suggestion! And the 'tipple' for medicinal purposes is definitely the go! :idea:

I do mean 'reclining'!

 

[LAH]

Life saving Y travel items would have to be - noise cancelling earbuds (or headphones) and sleeping medication. Sensory deprivation is the only way to go!

+pray for an op-up on the day

Have to also say, I should have made this title "life saving Y travel items" - that is really to the point.

thank you!

 

[LAH]

Pay extra for exit row seating. You are less likely to be shunted if you pay for it and there are restrictions on who can sit there so it's a less likely target for a move. If they shunt you, they have to compensate you. Pay for a higher class of economy fare. The good seats are usually only available to those flying on higher fare buckets. The special fares all get shoved down the back with limited or no seat selection.

thank you. I didn't know about paying extra for exit row seating. I was moved from an exit row in Y many years ago ... for a passenger with a bad leg. It wasn't till I was half way through the flight that I realised that he shouldn't have been sitting in an exit row as he had a disability - too late and lesson learned about being so quick to agree!!!

Thanks for advice on higher economy fares - I am already doing that and finding that I am achieving upgrades with points. Your answer is much appreciated! Cheers!

 

[LAH]

Open My Profile (top right of screen near log-in).

Select About Me tab.

Edit Basic Information

Information greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Justchecking]

thank you. I didn't know about paying extra for exit row seating. I was moved from an exit row in Y many years ago ... for a passenger with a bad leg. It wasn't till I was half way through the flight that I realised that he shouldn't have been sitting in an exit row as he had a disability - too late and lesson learned about being so quick to agree!!!Thanks for advice on higher economy fares - I am already doing that and finding that I am achieving upgrades with points. Your answer is much appreciated! Cheers!

It's a relatively new development among airlines. But where they can make a buck they will.....

 

[Tortuga]

Most has already been said:

• Bulkhead seats (beware of the babies in the centre though ).
• Sleeping pills + noise cancelling headphones.
• I like to get up and walk around, just make sure you stay out of the way of the FAs when they are busy. I've met a lot of FAs and most are very nice and have some great stories. They also hook you up with extras and sweets if you want them. Makes for good conversation if nothing else.
• Drink a lot of fluids, including water. It's very easy to get dehydrated on flights and you will feel a lot better if you are well hydrated on arrival.
• A comfortable pillow to help sleep.

In the end it is very difficult for me to enjoy a long haul flight in Y, the things above reduce the torture.

 

[Justchecking]

Bring your own blanket, the light polypropylene variety. It gets cold in exit rows and you're not guaranteed an extra blanket in economy. You can also use it to pad the seat should it not be comfortable enough.

 

[djfuzz]

Here's another forum tip - use the multiquote button in the bottom right hand corner to respond to multiple posts in one single post, so you don't look like you're the only one posting in the thread!

As for the IFE issue, I highly recommend an iPad or similar-sized tablet device loaded with some new material and comfort viewing to see you through in the event IFE isn't working. Must admit, my preference is onboard IFE, but on long haul I usually like to divert to my own stuff for a little while. IFE / iPad movies are the only way I can see myself through very long haul transpac flights in Y.

And a second on the NC headphones, though I have started to find that getting some good in-ear canal earphones may be a better move as it gives you more room to move, especially if trying to sleep to some soothing music.

Exit rows are the way to go in Y if possible, but be careful about which bulkhead seats you choose - if you choose ones in bassinet positions, you're inviting disappointment as you'll be moved if a family with infant are travelling.

I always choose aisle seats as I'm a fidget, and as mentioned earlier, tend to overhydrate and go to the toilets way too frequently - but as a consequence, feel less tired and cramped at the end of a long Y flight (or J flight for that matter).

Loading up on a bottle of water or a treat to bring on board from the lounge (where possible) has also been a handy strategy for those times during which service drags.

Always take up the CSM's offer of anything extra if they do the 'WP greet' - J blanket, headphones or even a glass of wine or meal help mitigate the pangs of Y just that little bit.

 

[gumpy]

Torture is the word.

For long haul Y I try and pick day flights so that I can stay awake and watch movies the entire flight. I cannot sleep in Y so I like not even trying.

 

[blackcat20]

I always choose aisle seats as I'm a fidget, and as mentioned earlier, tend to overhydrate and go to the toilets way too frequently - but as a consequence, feel less tired and cramped at the end of a long Y flight (or J flight for that matter).

I can second that;drink plenty of water, it'll keep you hydrated plus get you out of your seat a few times...keeps dvt away...