I make a conscious effort to fly in the forward cabin on every flight I take. But sometimes, it doesn’t work…and somehow I am thankful for it. That’s the enigma of economy class.
I just returned from a long trip and simply wanted to sleep Sunday morning on a flight from New York to Los Angeles. But despite a high fare and using high-priority PlusPoints to attempt to upgrade to business class, I did not clear and wound up in economy class for the six hour cross country journey.
I’ve been left at #1 on the upgrade list quite a bit lately…though I’ve largely overcome my long-term upgrade phobia by not checking the list any longer. If I get the upgrade at the gate, it is a surprise. If not, at least I did not waste my time compulsively checking the upgrade list in the 24 hours leading up to the flight (as if that would do any good).
At Live and Let’s Fly, we would never sell you on the lie that travel can be “free” with the right credit cards, because even the effective use of credit cards requires an investment in time and often money. Even top-tier airline elite status also doesn’t guarantee upgrade success, as I can certainly attest.
Of course I could have bought up to business class if I really wanted it…at a cost of $2,499. Sorry, but no thanks. Even if money was not an object, I simply could not justify spending that much.
So once again, I flew economy class…and like always, I survived just fine. In fact, I was productive, enjoyed a cheeseburger, had a good conversation with my seatmate, and even got a nap in.
Not bad at all for a daytime transcontinental flight.
And that’s the enigma. I love flying in premium cabins, especially as I grow older. I used to be indifferent about upgrades on short flights, but now I like to sit up front on every flight, even flights under an hour.
And yet every time I fly coach, as the majority of us do, I am again reminded that it is just fine. And then I wonder why I possibly make such a huge effort to use miles and points to fly business class or leverage frequent flyer benefits for upgrades in the first place.
To be honest, I don’t have a great answer. It’s like a game…a game that I’m generally pretty good at, though all bets are off this summer. I still consider chasing upgrades a good investment in time, but I’m happy to report that I’m obsessing far less about it than I have in the past.
I will say that my continued lack of upgrade clearance at United is frustrating and certainly will inform my decision whether to make the final push to qualify for 1K this autumn or not.
I suppose it’s asking a bit much to clear an upgrade on a busy Sunday morning during the height of summer travel with only 16 seats in business class (United’s 757-200s offer a bad upgrade ratio). Still, I’ve ended up #1 on the list on many recent occasions, which is actually much more annoying than finding myself further down the list.
My point in this essay is not self-pity or an expression of entitlement, but the enigma that when upgrades don’t clear, even on long flights, it really is not the end of the world. Quite the opposite, it often results in a more productive and more fulfilling flight. And realizing that helps me appreciate flying in premium cabins all the more when the opportunity arises. I know that is not a profound conclusion, but at the same time, I’m still filled with thankfulness every time I step on a plane, no matter where I end up sitting.
Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let’s Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.
Fair comment. I also do my best to get upgraded, if I haven’t already secured affordable PE or Biz seats, but I’m very careful with my choice of seat in Economy, as that can make or break the trip. I avoid the sardine cans at all costs.
Haha. I’m at a different stage in the journey with just getting upgraded this weekend for the first time with new airline status. I’d never flown domestic first before because I’m too cheap to pay for it. I knew it wasn’t going to be the same as international first but it was still a lot better than domestic economy. And when there’s repeated delays both taking off and landing (as is so common these days), the extra space and extra drinks/snacks makes it more tolerable.
@ Matthew — We got stuck in PE on AS PDX-SEA a few weeks ago. The upside was that I learned that the seats were extremely comfortable (for a 45 minute flight at 5 AM…). I will still (mostly) do whatever I can to avoid this perceived misery.
Maybe this explains why some people actually enjoy flying Southwest….maybe.
I’ve still had over 75% success this year getting free upgrades on AA (with many being 100 hours out) but on a few lately I’ve been as low as #4 as an EXP. I am assuming the loyalty points thing is coming into play as people paying for hotel rooms they never plan to stay in, have high CC spend, do surveys, etc are passing me in points.
I do wonder if there are more people booking FC at full price as I see families of 4 and older customers that don’t appear to be business travelers on routes to vacation destinations. I can’t imagine paying what AA charges for FC, but to each his own.
I see the value in what we do Matt but I also wonder how long I’ll play the game as the emphasis moves to CC spend instead of actually flying.
AA is pricing first very cheaply on many domestic flights, and then offering cheap upgrades on the app as departure approaches. I got my EXP upgrade at 100 hrs for the flight I’m about to get on, but they were offering the upgrade for $70.
We try for upgrades because if there’s something better we want it. Even flying Southwest we want a particular seat. As long as there is something better, even if it’s just that we perceive it to be better, we’ll want it.
You write that flying economy “often results in a more productive and more fulfilling flight” than flying first or business. I don’t believe that for a second, and I suspect you don’t either.
It does. Why? Because I find it far easier to sleep in business class and end up doing so instead of working, especially after eating a meal.
@ Matthew — Sleeping is the most productive use of any flight!
I just got back to Costa Rica from Los Angeles with United airlines. A five and a half hour night flight in economy with no legroom and only water and a cookie. It is so rude and cheap of airlines to try to save money by putting the seats so close passengers have to suffer. I don’t have elite status or finances for upgrades. I was miserable the whole flight. My seat mates were miserable as well in our more than cramped space. You must not be very tall to be comfortable in economy. I am 5′ 8″ tall.
I flew in EconomyPlus, with five extra inches of legroom. I also purchased a cheeseburger onboard.
You get the experience you are willing to pay for. Extra legroom seats are not expensive, and you can buy food on most flights long enough to matter. Or take your own for that matter.
Otherwise, marvel that you can fly so far so cheaply so quickly compared to in the past.
I’m in the same position paying extra for higher fare classes to use my Air Canada eUpgrades (and re-earn status to earn more eUpgrades… the hamster wheel keeps spinning huh?)
Anyone want an American Airlines SWU for this week? I have one expiring 7/31. @Matt – if you can use it, let me know. If someone else could use it, let Matt know.
Kind gesture. I have two that are sadly expiring.
Hi Matt, I’m flying AA tomorrow with my family and would love to use your SWUs.
Thanks!
Alexis
Hi Alexis, mine were used. Hopefully the other person will respond! Safe travels.
Hi, I’m flying AA tomorrow and would be interested in using your SWU. Thanks! You can reach me at atolchuco@yahoo.com.
Alexis
That’s pretty much me, word for word. Nothing like getting stuck in the back of the boat from time to time, to keep you humble and grounded. Suddenly those Polaris seats don’t see so tight and the little things we grumble about are just that, minor issues.
Some studies indicate that the SAFEST part of the plane to be in, in the rare event of a crash, is way at the back at the last rows, near the vertical stabilizer. And that is, in fact, where I like to sit (except for the screaming babies).
Only in the upper echelons of privilege would one think that being stuck in economy results in a “more productive and more fulfilling flight”, lol.
Flying economy on Austrian Airlines in September from IAD to KRK. Unfortunately I missed the cheaper Premium Economy fares by a few days while my employer approved vacation time. I did purchase a preferred legroom seat though. Actual cost is $85 but the Sears Citi card has a $60 statement credit this month so the actual price was a lot less. And at least I won’t have anyone reclining onto me since the seats in front are limited recline due to being by the emergency exit.
I didn’t know Sears was still in business!
The Sears near me all boarded up but I still use the credit card which is branded Thank You by Citibank. The credit card has bonus promotions where I can get 7500 points for $1000 in spending and the points are supposedly (haven’t tried yet) to airline partners but I can also cash out on gift cards.
My wife and I have flown that exact same route several times. Not recently though since we’ve been using Lufthansa or LOT. Austrian has a solid soft product, nice FA’s with an efficient, pleasant attitude but my wife, whose quite petit as a gymnast, griped about the economy seats.
The few times I did fly business class I was always disappointed one way or the other. Now, all the time, I fly economy and I am not disappointed. I just don’t want to eat heavy meals on an airplane, or even eat at all. It just doesn’t make me feel good. And quite a few times in economy I have the seat next to me unoccupied which is a lucky thing these days.
Totally unrelated, but here is another interesting story about Heathrow Airport…
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/26/passengers-faking-need-for-wheelchair-skip-airport-queues-heathrow
I ditched my aa biz seats to London last month for my family of five so we could stopover in Iceland. I’d almost rather have been in economy leaving at 1050pm paying for economy plus than a 5pm takeoff with three youngish kids in biz when American often turns the lights on 90-120 mins before landing.
My kids are spoilt and I have to keep reminding them that when they get older they’ll be 95% of the time in economy. I didn’t fly biz until I was 25 and even that was luck (JAL overbooked on Tokyo to Sydney so my mate and I had to fly on a later flight in biz that stopped in Brisbane. And they compensated us $400).
Economy is generally more than fine esp if you are American plat and can book the whole family into the better seats for free.
Given that the majority of airline pax fly coach, the majority of your reports and reviews are irrelevant
I could not agree more. I am retired anf on a very strict budget. I fly economy because it’s affordable for me and gets me to my destination. So many comments here reek of entitlement. If I have extra $$$ to spend, it will not be on a more expensive airplane seat but on my family and friends when I arrive.
I’m usually a bit busy in the left hand seat up the pointy end, but do get to deadhead for repositioning and occupy all sorts of seats in the process. I try them all, but I agree, why pay Mickey Mouse money to pose by turning left on all but the longest of flights? Spending the money on family is far more important than expressing that smug, superior grin sitting in Business/First/equivalent. I maintain the author of these reviews is largely out of touch with the reality of air travel for the majority of pax……
But that’s the purpose of the blog, isn’t it? I personally wouldn’t go on multiple mile runs to qualify for status just to fly in business class to try a new route, but some folks are into that. Matt got married and and has a family and appears to have the resources to share the fun. Good for him.
Consider the recent article about how the lounges are flooded with credit card holders with a line going out to the gates (defeats the purpose of the lounge if you’re stuck in line waiting for one) but perhaps we’ll see a populist movement over time as median-economy passengers gain a taste of some luxury, we’ll see this return to flying more democratically.
IMO, most of an airport’s space is WASTED on retail businesses that are overpriced selling useless wares and would better be converted into cheap lounge space.
But then again, we do see there’s a significant market for “greyhound bus” style passengers who are happy to pay $100 on Spirit and be treated like cattle, but that’s what they can afford to visit Grandma in another state and I don’t begrudge them that.
I think you shot yourself in the foot by flying in/out of JFK on UA. Since they are only running the 757, there are less number of seats available for upgrade between the two flights, compare to the frequency and widebodies out of EWR.
And yes, I do miss the high-J 767 out of JFK.
My mom hasn’t set foot in an airport this year but just got an email from AA that she has Gold status. She charges everything to her AA card…LOL!
I really appreciate this post. I too make every effort within my means to fly in business/first, but if that doesn’t happen then economy class it is…not the end of the world.
I wish airline websites would make it easier to book an extra seat for yourself without having to call them. Within the US, I almost prefer flying economy and having the adjacent seat empty instead of First where you’re pretty much guaranteed the seat next to you will be occupied.
Have yet to find any economy seat that is made for even a medium-sized man. I thought this must have been posted by a woman at first. My last Lufthansa flight from SEA to FRA felt like steerage in the 19th century. You have to wonder if the author was paid to write this article it goes so contrary to actual experience. I’ll be traveling Delta ONE Suites this October SEA to AMS, NEVER AGAIN economy unless it reverts to the product of about 20 years ago…not what it is now, a Greyhound bus in the sky
As you get older, maybe the desire for premium seats is balanced by the desire to have more time at home, even if it means an economy seat at a convenient time or a preferred nonstop flight?
I know more and more lately, I prefer a nonstop into DEN, even if it means a coach seat versus a premium seat to a gateway, a layover of a few hours, then a coach seat anyway on the domestic flight.
It’s a good point. I could have taken the evening flight home and cleared the upgrade and even “justified” the day by lounge hopping, but wanted to get home to my family.
Let’s be clear: not all economy seats are created equal. I’ll gladly fly across the country in the window seat immediately behind first class, but will be angry and bitter in a middle seat in row 35 on a one-hour flight. Many shades of gray here.
Totally gave up on being upgraded. As a Diamond medallion with Delta I flew over 30 times from MSP to Denver in the last 12 months and was NEVER upgraded once. Not only that but many times I saw my name on #30 on the list. Delta kept rolling over MQMs during the pandemic and suddenly everyone is a Diamond member which makes the status useless. Don’t care anymore.
As a GS I have consistently failed to get PP upgrades, ending at #1 on the list. The open seats tend to all disappear at checkin as the sell the seats to no-status passengers for $50 or $100 (the higher your status, the more expensive the offer)
I think you would revise your opinion of your productivity in coach if you were taller or bigger. I just flew with my 6’4″ son, who is a big boy and I felt horrible for all 11 hours of the trip. The lady in front of him had her seat back down the whole trip and my son couldn’t fit his legs or even open the tray all flight. And when he tried to even put a foot on the aisle the flight attendants would yell at him (he’s 16 and he’s a bit traumatized from that now). The seat back screen was 1″ from his face (I measured it). You should have seen him unfold himself from the seat to get out. All i have to say is that airlines must be joking!
A good post, Matt, and some good replies.
As for me, I’m 63 years old and at 6″3 / 245 lbs so I don’t fit into economy very well. The inflection point was a DL GRU-ATL several years ago in which the upgrade didn’t clear. My seat mate was as big as me and we both joked about the long ride ahead. We got pillows and blankets and padded the area between us so no sharp elbows would intrude. When I got to ATL my back was in spasms and I barely made it up the jet bridge without needing help. After that, I said “no more” and do whatever it takes to get up front. In my consulting business I will fly upfront and pay the difference out-of-pocket for F domestic for clients that only reimburse economy. For TATL / S America / TPAC I fly business per my client contract. For personal travel I will generally burn Chase points for Biz or F cabin. It isn’t a sense of entitlement or snobbery, but a matter of practicality due to my age and size. I’ve flown nearly 6 million actual BIS miles, so have done my share of economy over four decades.
I am 6’4″ and physically do not fit in economy seats. About ten years or so ago in another round of squeezing the passenger to add a seat was the last time I fit. If I bend and contort and shove and push I can wedge my knees into the seat in front of me. There is no way that person is reclining their seat, if they push the button it will more likely swing forward on themselves. I have had to upgrade either to a bulkhead, emergency row, or front of the plane ever since.
I will take a 12 hour drive over an economy seat any day.
@ 6’3,” I agree. After a Ryanair 28″ pitch seat from Germany to England, I refuse to fly Ryanair again. I also refuse to attempt Frontier.
I can relate, for different reasons. I used to work for an A=airline, lastly as Area Manager, travelling frequently for the job where I was upgraded to Business class if there were seats available on departure and with 2 Annual Holiday tickets a year, again upgradeable. Like many, my job disappeared with the pandemic and I now fly home 2 or 3 times a year and of course not upgradeable! The first time, I dreaded it – no premium lines through security, mob boarding, no sleep… yet I’ve survived, I’ve mostly enjoyed the flights, I eat and drink a bit less and can still enjoy catching up on a movie or two and I’ve discovered a new TV show I enjoy. At 6’1″ the legroom is a bit tight on shorthaul flights but on longhaul it’s been fine.
So yes, I miss the preboarding, welcome bubbly, course by course meals, the hot bread roll and the flat bed. But I’m still enjoying flying (once I get on board!)
When I first started flying, steerage was fine with me. As I aged, extra legroom eased itself into the picture. When crossing the Atlantic, economy plus (or what ever label is slapped on the ticket) is the minimum. As I hit my 60’s, first class on domestic service is not out of the question if the “Price is Right”.
This upgrade fever started years ago when my sister in invited me to Xmas at the last minute. A middle seat in the last row was just shy of $500. Due to a fluke in the system, a first class seat was only $45 bucks more…. guess where I sat. They even served grapes with breakfast.
Like others said, a key part of the experience is what happens on the ground. Having to queue for checking in, security etc are the worst part of flying short haul Y (at least unless one happens to be quite tall and/or wide), closely followed by inhospitable gate areas and overpriced catering. Having frequent flyer status largely removes those issues. Unless I am extremely pressed for time and/or have an opportunity to get a proper night’s sleep, I will either travel in Economy or pay a very modest premium for C (whether through buying/bidding for an upgrade or purchasing LH Punishment-class offers).
I find that those flights in the 5-7 hour range usually offer awful value for money/miles in premium classes – they tend to be priced like a proper long haul, but you can’t really get a meaningful amount of sleep, and the meal service is often abbreviated and more like an economy meal served with a warmed up bread roll. When flying between Europe and the Arabian peninsula, I’m actually prepared to spend more in order to fly 2 4-hour segments in the back of the bus with Turkish as opposed to going Premium Economy on LH/AF.
By that logic, one is more productive working at the office than from home. Maybe you just lack self discipline?
Sure, but it is easier to rest in a lie-flat seat than a coach seat…that’s not so controversial.
“At Live and Let’s Fly, we would never sell you on the lie that travel can be ‘free’ with the right credit cards”
But you will sell us on the lie that flying Economy is somehow better than flying Business.
“better” is an inherently subjective term…yet I didn’t call it better, but enigmatic.
What works for me (to make air travel easier): TSA pre; airline safe belt; UA Lounge; and economy with extra leg room. BTW, I live in Honolulu, all flights are either under an hour or over 5 hours. 2 hour flight? Lol
I simply don’t fit in economy. My knees are touching the seat in front of me, before they lay it back. I am not a large woman, but a tall woman. I would assume people who have a 32″ or shorter inseam it is doable, but for long legged folks or broad shoulder folks, it is absolutely miserable.
My mother, a German citizen who is the only one from her family in the US, had been traveling to Germany from Chicago here and there during her adult life. Always economy. Last year, on the cusp of her 80th birthday, I found discounted business class tickets ORD to FRA on a beautiful LH 787. We sat in the upper deck and she had tears of joy. Every aspect of the experience was a delight. Upgrades are out of range, but we’d love any tips for finding a good deal as it was revelatory and we’d love to do it again. Meanwhile I’ll still enjoy economy on my upcoming family vacation because the enigma of economy class to me is still the thrill of flying that has stayed with me my whole life.
I don’t understand the picture of many inches of knee room. My knees squeeze between the seats under the back of the armrest, to allow my long legs to fit. The large-hipped females in my family often feel compelled to book a higher class ticket with a wider seat.
I only read aircraft sear reviews from you and from short-legge, slim-hipped passengers for comedy.
How large are you? At 6’3″ 230 lbs, there is no possiblity for me to be comfortable in the redesigned cattle car seats. Shoulders dont fit between the armrests, which means there is zero chance to have a pleasant interaction with my seat mate. My knees touch the back of the seat in front of me before they try and slam it back.
6”1’ 170lb
Matthew, thanks for your article. I am a top tier club member with American. I always part with the cash to sit up front. I have had bad experiences in economy. I also very much appreciate the shower in the Miami Flagship Lounge after an overnight flight.
Well, my default flight is from GYN – GRU – JFK – MIA. I set a spending limit of $5,000. Fortunately, I have flown around the world and never had to break that limit. These times, they are a changing.
Tickets are now running up to $13,000 for my flight. I have been stressing out about sitting in the cattle car for the first time in years. Your article came at the perfect time. You have indeed calmed my nerves a little. I appreciate your article and your time to write it. I will strive to make the best of my experience.
Enjoy your flight! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
It’s about opportunity cost. I’m flying to Europe in 3 months and I was offered an upgrade to business for $3,000. I’d rather stay in economy and spend that 3K in Europe. (I’m 5’10”, 170 so I can easily fit in economy.) But it’s your choice how to spend/waste your money. I’ll waste money on beer in Germany!
I am 68 years old, 6’2″, 195lb, so legroom is an issue. On small planes like the Embraer 175/190, legroom is critical! On Boeing 737/8 or Airbus A319/320 there is just enough legroom. On the A350 or 787, there is ample legroom for me. However, for overnight flights requiring sleep, my preference is business class, as I would mush rather sleep lying flat like an envelope. For very long daytime flights, I normally go for premium economy / economy plus. I am Platinum in Flying Blue and Silver in Miles & More. The Silver in Miles & More gives me an upgrade to economy plus on the UA transatlantic flights, usually from Brussels to Dulles, leaving Brussels around midday. When booking on 737/8 or A319/20, I go for the extra legroom seats – overwing exits, and the row immediately after business class, at no cost due to my flying club levels. Note the first row of overawing exit seats do not recline!
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