Travel tips from The Women’s Travel Group. What is the big deal about airplane seats? When I started traveling, we sat wherever we were put. We were next to a chain smoking passenger. We were always next to a smelly ashtray embedded in the armrest. We wore uncomfortable clothes: stockings and high heels. Flights were longer. Turbulence detectors less sophisticated. We never discussed seating.
So what is the big deal about seating today? The deal is that Americans are bigger; seats are smaller. Airlines profit off your discomfort. We payed billions during the pandemic and now we pay to enhance their top line.
A few things to make your trip less stressful and maybe save you some money. Here is the good news, if you want a last place on our tour to Santa Fe: domestic tickets are lower this year.
Don’t obsess about your seat. Middle means you might have to ask a seat mate to move an arm or to stand up for your bathroom break. All seats have room beneath the seat in front of you. That is yours only. Note: exit rows do not have this space. So want to be comfortable, only bring what you need for the flight, plus one set of underwear or a tee, medicine, devices, charger, books, magazines etc. A smaller bag inside the carry on, will not be a nuisance near your feet. Lock the one above your seat.
Share (but don’t be shy) the foot level electrical outlet with neighbors. Many of us forget to look at the screen where most planes also have a USB port. It is small but under the TV.
Get rid of your trash, even if you have to get up to do it. You’ll feel less encumbered.
If you are flying long distance, choose a long distance carrier: Qatar, Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Qantas, etc. They specialize in distance comfort and in appropriate entertainment. On Emirates, I loved the entertainment section called BINGE WATCHING. It was loaded with seasons of TV programs. On a daytime flight I watched almost 14 episodes of Little Big Lies from JFK to Dubai. Time flew.
Make a time line: one hour reading, one hour watching, one hour eyes closed etc. Bring your own entertainment: carry on then toss magazines. Learn to use and read on an iPad. Download movies you want to see on it. The longer the film the better.
Flip up the corners of your seat head rest for a nap. Again many do not realize these are part of the seat back.
Pay attention to the safety presentation; tests are done to measure evacuation times from all seats. But you also have to pay attention.
Concentrate on your territorial bubble. Tell yourself an upgrade equates to $??? more per hour. If you have to, see each hour as $75 or $100 or $200 saved. Don’t let yourself be carried away by airline marketing of the ‘in your face’ superiority of First Class and its passengers. You all get to the destination at the same time. Travel tips from award winning The Women’s Travel Group. Contact us at https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/contact/ Last spot: Tuscany Cooking and Seeing.
