3 Ways to Make Coach Air Travel More Pleasant

Get Better Food, More Leg Room, and Decent Entertainment When Flying

Jun 6, 2009

Though airlines nickel and dime coach passengers for every conceivable comfort, travelers don't have to suffer the non-existent leg room, lackluster food and bad movies.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, from the moment they set foot in an airport, today's airline passengers are asked to cough up change for "luxuries" that were once complimentary. Many airlines now charge for checked luggage, few offer free food options of any kind, and Irish airline Ryanair has actually considered charging passengers for use of its on-board restrooms.

When cramped into a seat with little leg room (though five extra inches are available at an added cost of around $14-$109 per person on United Airlines) for a six-hour flight, unwilling to shell out $5 for a pair of headphones to watch on-air entertainment like "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," and less than enthusiastic to pay $9 for the less than fresh-looking turkey sandwich being wheeled past their seat, how can travelers turn their experience from miserable to pleasant? Read on!

Be a Good Citizen to Ensure Airline Comfort

Arrive at the airport early, and when checking in at the gate, proceed directly to the counter. For those who meet the qualifications (please note: passengers traveling with children under the age of 15 do not), they may offer to sit in the Emergency Exit row, which on some (but not all!) flights affords a few extra inches of space. Passengers will be asked if they meet the airline's specific qualifications.

If they do, and the seats are available, the airline may move them. If they do not meet the qualifications, they may ask if there are any "bulkhead" seats available. Bulkheads are the front row in each section, which means there will not be any passengers seated directly in front of the passenger, and thus, no one to recline back into their space.

If no Emergency Exit row or bulkhead seats are available and the traveler is desperate for extra space, many airlines now offer reduced rate first class upgrades right at the airport. For as little as $100 on short flights, travelers can get bumped up when they receive their boarding pass. Many airlines' automatic check-in computers now offer this option.

When flying domestic coach, food options are seldom impressive or reasonably priced. A turkey sandwich comparable to the one that costs $3 on at 7-11 is placed in a box with a bag of chips and some fruit and sold on airlines for $9.

Whether packing snacks at home or picking up a meal to go at the airport, passengers are likely to save money and enjoy a better quality meal. Since beverages are about the only thing left on planes that passengers don't get charged for, and are not possible to be brought through security, leave drinks and liquid meals (like Slim-Fast shakes or yogurt) at home. Since sandwiches can wilt or get soggy in the hours between leaving home and boarding the flight, pack something that holds up better. A cold sesame noodle salad, dried fruit in a Ziploc bag, or bags of nuts make for great snacks.

For return trips, some destination establishments offer meals that they pack for travelers in a convenient soft cooler. At CJ's Deli & Diner in Ka'anapali, Maui, the $12 Airline Box Lunch gets travelers a delicious sandwich, chips, brownies, fresh pineapple, and other treats, all packed neatly into a souvenir cooler that can be carried on.

If travelers own a laptop, a pair of earphones, and a DVD, there's no need to ever watch the unappealing on-air entertainment, let alone pay for cheap plastic airline headphones that seldom work. Make sure that the laptop battery is charged, and if needed, purchase a battery that allows for longer use (some batteries sold with laptops can't last longer than two or three hours). With iTunes, passengers can download entire episodes of their favorite television programs, and catch up on seasons they might have missed.

In addition, begin buying favorite magazines from a local newsstand about two weeks to a month before the trip. This will help travelers avoid any airport or hotel mark-ups, and they will have stockpiled some of their favorite weekly publications to sit and enjoy.

The copyright of the article 3 Ways to Make Coach Air Travel More Pleasant in Business Air Travel is owned by Brett McKenzie. Permission to republish 3 Ways to Make Coach Air Travel More Pleasant in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.