| For many people, traveling-both for pleasure as well | | | | "A" boarding pass on Southwest Airlines for $5. |
| as business-has become the norm. But with struggling | | | | Pack Your Own Entertainment |
| airlines slashing services and charging for amenities like | | | | Time flies when you're busy. Personal entertainment |
| food, checked luggage and exit-row seating, it seems | | | | does wonder for the most part, but don't rely too |
| that we all will have to suffer the miserable indignities | | | | much on Sky-mall and the in-flight movies to keep |
| of flying coach for the sake of cheap tickets. | | | | you entertained. Your choice of possible diversions is |
| Or do we? | | | | endless: iPod, magazines, sudoku, or some giant novel |
| You see, flying coach doesn't have to be a | | | | to read. Some airlines charge $55 for a premium seat; |
| nightmare. You just need to know how to pick your | | | | for the same price, you can get a mini iPod and |
| airline, choose your seats, and bring the necessary | | | | hundreds of songs in your pocket. |
| amenities that will make a world of difference on | | | | Oh and remember to bring your own headphones. |
| your flight. So let's count the ways to allow you fly | | | | Avoid paying the airline $5 for some crummy |
| coach in comfort. | | | | headphones; bring your own from home for free. |
| Pick the Best Economy Class Flights to Travel | | | | Wear Noise Canceling Headphones |
| Whatever your strategy for a comfortable ride on a | | | | These wonders of technology can make worlds of |
| coach flight is, the first and most important decision | | | | difference in your flight experience. They muffle the |
| you make is the airline you pick. So continue reading | | | | ambient noise from the plane and sounds from |
| and find out the top picks for economy class seats. | | | | around you, giving you peace and quite while you |
| As a rule of thumb, Pacific-based airlines offer better | | | | read your novels, play your games, or do your |
| service and amenities than Atlantic-based airlines. | | | | sudoku. They also make it easier for you to listen to |
| Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are two | | | | the movie on the personal entertainment system or |
| standouts, consistently ranked in various third-party | | | | your iPod. |
| surveys among the best for economy class services. | | | | Our first pick, top-of-the-line Bose Quite Comfort |
| Their 747s feature personal in-flight entertainment; | | | | headphones sell for a little more than $300. Believe |
| both have 32-inch seat pitch (that's leg room-and the | | | | me people, this is good investment! But cheaper |
| standard is 31 inches) and 17.5-inch seat width, | | | | brands do the job nearly as well for around $50 to |
| providing more than adequate comfort for their | | | | $100. |
| coach passengers. Qatar Airways and Emirates are | | | | As an alternative, you can still rely on good |
| also gaining grounds in terms of service-and Qatar, | | | | old-fashioned earplugs, costing about $2. Pick the |
| being a relatively new comer, often offers low-priced | | | | really soft foam ones. |
| tickets as part of its promotional campaign. | | | | Get Some Sleep |
| As for Atlantic-based airlines, JetBlue offers a | | | | Here are some tips on "how to sleep on air flight." |
| whopping 34 inches of pitch-providing extra leg room. | | | | Physical comfort will improve your ability to doze off |
| And there's DirectTV on every leather seatback. | | | | on your flight. These days, however, you can't really |
| Southwest Airlines doesn't charge for pillows, | | | | count on the airline providing enough pillows and |
| blankets and in-flight snack, which is a plus point | | | | blankets to go around. So pack the following in your |
| these days. Lastly, Virgin Atlantic provides coach | | | | carry-on: |
| passengers with personal entertainment and comfort | | | | Pashmina shawl take up less room than a blanket and |
| kits (earplugs, slippers, and eye masks). | | | | pack easily into a small handbag. If you don't feel like |
| Pick Your Seats Carefully and Check In Early | | | | you need to use it to keep you warm, you can roll it |
| The legroom in the bulkhead or exit-row can be as | | | | up and put it behind your back, which helps |
| spacious as the business class on some airlines. | | | | significantly to increase your comfort level, especially |
| However, more and more airlines are charging a | | | | in coach where there might not be as much padding. |
| premium for those rows, from $5 to $75 depending | | | | Horseshoe-shaped pillow keeps your head from falling |
| on the airline. So you may have to make a judgment | | | | forward or sideways. A comfortable horse-shoe |
| call. Exit-rows are almost always worth the extra | | | | shaped pillow is a must for all travelers. The inflatable |
| cash; but front rows have its drawback of being a | | | | ones are easier to carry, while a foam or |
| bit too close to the lavatory for comfort. | | | | feather-filled version gives you tremendous comfort. |
| It's usually possible to select seats online, but even if | | | | Eye mask is a key to a good sleep. The good |
| you can't, you have another shot to snag a decent | | | | ones-big and fluffy-cost only about $10, and it's |
| spot if you check in early. If it is possible, make sure | | | | totally worth it. You might look like a freak on the |
| you check in online; checking in online at least 24 | | | | plane, but you'll be very comfortable and get the |
| hours before boarding will ensure you to pick the | | | | much needed rest. |
| best seats. Early check-in even works for "open | | | | Noise canceling headphones will also do wonders for |
| seating" (no assigned seats), where passengers | | | | your sleep. This is the second time I mention this |
| board in large groups; the coveted group A, the first | | | | particular gadget but I can't stress enough how it |
| to board, gets to pick the seats first. will get you an | | | | would significantly help you fly coach in comfort. |