How a Travel Expert Makes an Economy Flight Feel Like an Upgrade

One of the big perks of premium cabins is having more personal space. If you can avoid flying in a crowded economy cabin, you may be more likely to end up with an empty seat next to you, which can feel like an upgrade, Griff told Business Insider.

According to Griff, the earliest and latest departures of the day tend to have the most empty seats. Aim for a Saturday or midweek booking, he added.

Griff said sitting in a row without a middle seat can make economy feel like an upgrade, too. There are rows like this on some wide-body planes, which have two aisles and are typically used for long-distance travel. So while you’re searching for flights for your next international trip, take a look at the seat map before you book.

When Griff flies economy, he starts checking the seat map for his trip two days before departure to see how full it is.

“If it’s looking like maybe another row has more space, I’d always move to that row to see if that may end up open,” he said. “Monitor the seat map until the minute before boarding starts and move around to optimize your chances of finding an empty seat.”

You may even end up with your own row.

In many cases, business and first-class tickets come with the added perk of an in-flight meal. If you’re in economy, Griff recommends bringing your own dish or getting some takeout on your way to the gate.

“Treat yourself to something a little bit nicer because you’re sitting in economy,” he added.

Even if you’re flying economy, having a credit card or elite status with the airline may make you eligible for free checked bags, earlier boarding, or possibly better seats, Griff said.

To make flying economy more comfortable, dress in athleisure and pack a sleep mask and noise-canceling headphones, Griff said. If you have a small massage gun, toss that in your carry-on, too, he added.

With your mask on, earbuds in, a full belly, and an empty seat next to you, you may feel like you’re on the other side of the cabin curtain.