Flying Economy Class is Stellar

(And we should talk more about that👇🏼)

Author

Tommy Obenchain
March 02, 2025

 

Welcome

Friends,

Happy Sunday! I hope your today is full of rest. In that spirit, our column will be short and sweet (like a flight from Dallas to Austin).

Let’s get going.

Story

Right before my family moved to New Zealand in January of 2024, American ran a promotion where we could upgrade to business class for ~$900 per person on the almost 15 hour flight from Dallas to Auckland. While a great deal by nearly all accounts, I turned it down.

Flying economy class is totally great.

And I say that because I have spent the past two days writing about business class, but the main cabin needs some love, too. Economy is a stellar way to fly. And the internet does not talk about that enough, leading to a sense of FOMO or worse if you find yourself flying economy class.

This column is dedicated to setting the record straight: the greatest travelers and adventurers fly in every cabin, including economy. And when the price is right, it can be the best way to fly on an airplane.

My family had a blast flying to New Zealand then back a few months later from Australia in the main cabin. Here is how it went down:

  1. We scored a great points deal in both directions for all four of us (this was a legitimate act of God).

  2. Our three- and one-year-old slept well thanks to the seriously fantastic Flyaway Beds (these are totally amazing).

  3. We checked a massive number of bags for free (plus had great lounge access) thanks to my OneWorld Emerald status.

And this is our world: we are grateful to be able to travel as a family and grateful to fly economy. Business class has its place, but it belongs in the right order of priorities.

Big Picture: Get out, travel, and have a blast when you fly economy. You are the hero of this story, so travel adventurously—because it is not about where you sit, it is about where you go. Your three- and one-year-old will have a blast too, I promise.

The world is waiting. Happy flying.

Forward

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful end of the weekend, and feel free to forward this on to anyone you know who might need a bit of inspiration for their next travel adventure.

Remember, this life you are living has meaning. Be well today.

-Tommy