When it comes to international economy class, it is the little details that can make a person feel special. Most people are paying for a cheap fare, but it doesn’t mean they have to be treated as second class citizens.
Each airline has a different philosophy when it comes to what they do down the back. On the full service carriers, some provide the bare minimum of service while others go that extra mile. With that in mind, what makes economy class feel special?
Providing A Menu
The old cliché is that cabin crew come through with that time honoured refrain, “chicken or beef?”. This can be true, so it is a very nice surprise when you are offered a menu in the cheap seats.
Real Cutlery Is Special
Airlines are still providing their economy class passengers with plastic utensils. You are paying what could be for you a lot of money to travel a long way, so I think it is inexcusable to give plastic knives and forks to people.
A Decent Second Service
On many long haul flights, two meal services are provided. One of these is the main meal, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner. The other is some kind of snack, and some airlines are really insulting when it comes to the second meal.
Other Special Things
The Curious Case of the Disappearing Crew is common in economy class on long-haul flights. They go away between meal services, not to be seen until landing. People appreciate it when the crew come through in the middle of the night offering juice and water.
Since most people are watching movies through the flight, being handed something like an ice cream is great. You can eat and watch and it makes for a more cinematic experience. Qantas do this, as do some other airlines and it adds to the special factor.
Overall Thoughts
Making your economy class passengers feel special is important. They comprise the bulk of an airline’s passengers which means a good or bad experience is going to spread by word of mouth quite quickly.
Marketing and media always focus on the premium cabins, which makes sense. Wow the masses with your great offerings and they’ll choose you even when flying economy. I get it, but the real place to make a difference is providing actual good service down the back.
What makes international economy class special for you or when have you been surprised by something in that cabin? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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I’m flying my first business class flight this November but my best transatlantic economy flights have been on non-US carriers. Air France and Lufthansa, probably Lufthansa was my favorite. I also flew Iberia but don’t remember it much.
Yes, people tend to agree that carriers from Europe are pretty decent. Enjoy your business class flight – you’ll enjoy that! 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
Agreed on all points. Especially the crew. We’ve done transoceanic economy flights on United, American, Iberia, JAL, KAL, and Asiana. JAL & Korean crushed everyone on soft product, while both of them and Iberia stood out for pleasant food experiences as well. Crews were inconsistent on UA, and AA is just middling; food on both was barely worth bothering with. Asiana just seemed somewhat in the middle of all these. I’ll be trying Air China in 6 weeks which should be an adventure, given reviews. While price drives a lot of our choices on such flights, if we can get… Read more »
Good feedback there – I’ve heard good things about the airlines you’ve mentioned you liked, so I think many would agree with you. Air China should be a lot of fun – hopefully it’s a pleasant surprise and if not, you’ll have a story to tell! 🙂 You’ve hit the nail on the head in the second part of your comment. Though people do choose solely on price, people will often pony up a little extra cash if they have had a good experience with a carrier they know. I think that kind of thing gets lost by some airlines.… Read more »
[…] Simple things airlines can do to make long haul economy travel feel special […]
Hot wet towels before meals! Many airlines in Asia do this.
It’s definitely a good thing! Thanks for the comment!
A hard-cased amenity kit. Turkish Airlines gave us one.
Oh now that’s a good idea! Quite a few airlines do provide a soft case amenity kit in economy but Turkish is the first one I’ve heard with a hard-cased kit. Nice! Thanks for the comment!