Enduring long-haul flights in economy class can be challenging, especially when the person in front of you decides to recline their seat for the entire journey.
However, a well-traveled cabin crew member has shared some useful strategies for making these cramped conditions more bearable, starting with choosing the perfect seat.
This Virgin Atlantic flight attendant, with five years of experience under her belt, has highlighted the best and worst places to sit on long-haul flights, along with some tips for getting a decent sleep in economy.
For those who find turbulence unsettling, she recommends selecting a seat over the wings, which tend to offer a ‘smoother ride.’
Seats in this area are closer to the aircraft’s center of gravity, resulting in less noticeable vibrations compared to seats located further back.
For many economy passengers, catching some sleep is the primary concern on long-haul flights.
Limited leg room, cabin noise, seat design and oxygen levels all contribute to poor sleep, but if you’re lucky enough to be seated as far away from the galley or lavatory as possible, you might just be in with the chance of getting more rest.
Speaking to the Express, the flight attendant explained: ‘You can never truly predict the quietest spot on a plane, as it depends on the passengers around you. But the aft [rear] of the plane can be a bit noisy because toilet flushes are quite loud.
A Virgin Atlantic flight attendant has shared the best and worst seats for economy passengers on long-haul flights
Anxious flyers are advised to book a seat that is located above the wings, as this offers the ‘smoothest ride’
‘The seats at the back on all our aircraft recline, so that’s not a problem, but sometimes light catches through the galley curtains on a night flight, and it can be noisy as the crew are working. So, I also wouldn’t choose back row seats.’
For passengers who simply want to the get the most out of their flight experience, there are two specific locations in economy that have their own benefits.
According to the cabin crew member, the ideal seat would be either five rows from the front or five rows from the back.
Sitting as close as possible to the front and means passengers are likely get their first meal choice, and it also paves the way for a smooth and quick exit after landing.
As for those seated near the back of the plane, they’ll also be served their food quicker as crew work from the back simultaneously.
However, turbulence is felt more in this area, so it’s worth weighing this up before deciding on where to sit.
Meanwhile, to further improve economy travel for travellers, Virgin Atlantic flight service manager and Love Is Blind star, Ashleigh Berry previously shared with the Daily Mail some of the biggest in-flight perks that passengers always seem to miss.
She said: ‘There’s probably areas on a plane that you don’t even know about that have got things for our guests.’
For the perfect flight experience, the ideal seat would be either five rows from the front or five rows from the back
For those seated near the front are not only likely to get their first meal choice, and it also paves the way for a smooth and quick exit after landing
First up? Complimentary snack baskets, which Ashleigh says are usually located in the galleys and within areas she refers to as ‘secret wonder walls’.
In premium, a deluxe snack box hidden in the ‘wonder wall’ contains everything from Virgin’s premium crisps and gummy sweets, to eye masks and extra pairs of socks.
Ashleigh said of the hidden stash: ‘Sometimes our customers aren’t aware of it, even if they purchased the ticket knowing it’s there.’
As for passengers in economy, there are still plenty of hidden joys.
