The older I get, the more luxury I require.
Somewhere over the Pacific—twisted like a pretzel, fighting with a Economy class pillow and blanket, and hoping for sleep—I had a moment of clarity: I’m officially done with Economy on long-haul flights.
Recently, I took a 3-week trip to Asia, which required flights from Chicago to Seoul, Seoul to Tokyo, Tokyo to Bali, and then an even longer return from Bali to Chicago. This sealed the deal for me. It’s not that Economy seats are terrible. In fact, it’s better than it used to be. I had a few great flight attendants, solid in-flight entertainment, and decent enough meals. But still—the walk of shame past Business and First Class, eyeing their plush pillows, real blankets, slippers, amenities, welcome drinks, better menus, and spacious seating, only to squeeze yourself into a tight seat and brace for 14 hours of mild discomfort is too much now.
And let’s not even talk about sleep. I tried every trick in the book—neck pillow, foot hammock, even melatonin—but kept waking up with a sore back, twisted up like a pretzel. I couldn’t sleep longer than 30 minutes without waking up sore and sad. It’s hard to start a vacation (or return from one) feeling like you’ve just lost a wrestling match with your seat.
As luck would have it, good and bad, my direct flight to Bali was canceled with Garuda airlines. While searching for a new option we came across a one stop flight with Scoot airlines which is an affordable/budget airline in Asia. Think Spirit airlines. The flight was pretty affordable and had a shorter duration so we went with that one. The benefits were a la carte and we decided to purchase their Plus package which included better seats, more baggage, wifi, priority boarding and in-flight meals. The package was affordable and well worth it. It was like flying business class without breaking the bank. It was a noticeably better experience. It was like dipping a toe into premium-class travel, and honestly? I’m hooked.
My New Flight Strategy
I’ve made a deal with myself from here on out:
- Flights under 4 hours: Economy’s fine—I can handle it.
- Flights 4 to 8 hours: It’s Premium Economy or bust.
- Anything over 8 hours: I’m going for Business Class (points, upgrades, or whatever it takes).
First Class? That’s still the dream. Unless I get a surprise upgrade or crack the travel rewards game, I’ll just admire it as I walk by.
The Points Game: My Next Move
I’ve realized that if I want to travel better without paying full price, I need to start learning the points and miles system. I’m beginning to research travel credit cards (I have two and I’ve dabbled in the arts) and follow a few blogs and YouTube channels that break it all down. If I can leverage points to fly comfortably more often, sign me up.
Why This Matters to Me
This shift isn’t just about luxury—it’s about intention. I’m learning to prioritize comfort, ease, and joy in the experiences I invest in. The older I get, the less I want to “just get through” something. For the past few years, I’ve been prioritizing mental and physical health as well as overall wellness. I want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.
Bottom line: I’m trading the cramped seats for more comfort, even if it means spending a little more—or learning a new system to make it work. Because life’s too short to be uncomfortable at 35,000 feet.
Have you ever made a similar decision? Was the decision related to travel or another aspect of your life?
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