In economy class, passengers can access a variety of complimentary perks that enhance the travel experience, though availability varies significantly by airline, route, and flight duration. Insights from travel experts indicate that full-service carriers like Delta, United, and American tend to be more generous with freebies compared to budget airlines, which focus on minimizing costs. International and longer-haul flights are also more likely to offer additional benefits. The key to successfully obtaining these extras is often a polite request made at the right time, such as after the main service has concluded and the cabin has settled, when flight attendants are less busy.
Complimentary Meals and Snacks
Airlines have diverse offerings for in-flight dining, with some providing multi-course meals and gourmet selections even in economy.
- Japan Airlines is noted for serving chef-curated gourmet meals, which include premium dishes like smoked salmon and a selection of sake.
- Qantas offers complimentary meals, snacks, and alcoholic drinks on all flights. Its menu features nearly 70 new items, such as macadamia granola slices and chorizo focaccia.
- Emirates provides multi-course meals with regional flavors, paired with wines and cocktails.
- Cathay Pacific ensures a quality meal service with hot entrees, beverages, and alcoholic drinks on every flight.
- Turkish Airlines is famous for its in-flight catering, offering gourmet meals inspired by Turkish and global cuisine.
- Hawaiian Airlines serves Hawaiian-inspired meals and snacks on North America, South Pacific, and Asia routes, along with a wide range of complimentary alcoholic beverages.
- Qantas and Hawaiian Airlines also offer complimentary alcoholic drinks in economy. Other airlines providing free beer and wine include Lufthansa and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines offer free alcohol for passengers of drinking age. Korean Air provides a special selection of wines curated by a world's best sommelier, and Air France offers complimentary wine and Champagne selected by its head sommelier.
Entertainment and Connectivity
Several airlines provide complimentary in-flight entertainment and connectivity options.
- Lufthansa offers free messaging on all long-haul flights, allowing passengers to use apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. To access this, passengers must log into FlyNet® with their Miles & More number or create a Lufthansa Group Travel ID.
- Qatar Airways and JetBlue offer free Wi-Fi for all passengers.
- United Airlines is rolling out SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi for high-speed internet.
- JetBlue, Emirates, Delta, and Singapore Airlines provide extensive selections of movies, TV shows, music, and games on seatback screens.
- Japan Airlines has upgraded its seats with built-in speakers for listening without headphones.
- Delta Air Lines offers a unique benefit for SkyMiles members: those who log into Delta Sync Wi-Fi receive 24 hours of free access to Paramount+, even after landing.
Comfort and Activity Kits
Beyond food and entertainment, some airlines provide comfort items and activities for children.
- Air Canada offers activity kits for kids, which include coloring books and crayons.
- Air France, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, United, and Qantas also provide activity packs for kids in all cabin classes.
- While not explicitly listed as a freebie in the provided data, some airlines offer comfort items like blankets and pillows. A general guide suggests asking for comfort kits (blankets, pillows) before takeoff, with a reported success rate of 75%.
Baggage Allowances
A few airlines stand out for their generous baggage policies, which can be considered a significant freebie.
- Qatar Airways and Emirates typically allow economy passengers one free checked bag up to 55 lbs, though allowances vary by route and fare type.
- Japan Airlines, ANA, Korean Air, and Ethiopian Airlines often offer two free checked bags (50 lbs each) on most international flights.
- British Airways allows two pieces of hand luggage, each up to 51 lbs.
- Hawaiian Airlines includes surfboards, bicycles, and other sports gear in its standard checked baggage allowance on all flights.
Tips for Requesting Freebies
Flight experts emphasize that a polite and patient approach is crucial. As one founder notes, flight attendants often have a heavy workload during boarding, takeoff, and landing, so these are not ideal times to make requests. Waiting until after the main service has finished and the cabin is calm increases the likelihood of a positive response. A general guide suggests that requesting extra snacks and beverages during slow service periods has a 90% success rate. For first-aid supplies or medication, it is recommended to approach the galley during the cruise phase, with an 85% success rate. Mentioning a special occasion when boarding can also increase the chance of receiving a treat, with a 70% success rate.
Conclusion
While flying economy does not preclude travelers from enjoying complimentary perks, the availability of these freebies is not uniform across all airlines or routes. Full-service international carriers generally offer a wider array of benefits, including gourmet meals, alcoholic beverages, activity kits for children, and generous baggage allowances. For travelers seeking to enhance their in-flight experience without upgrading their ticket, researching specific airline policies and making polite, timely requests can yield valuable extras. The most consistent benefits, such as certain entertainment options and baggage allowances, are often built into the ticket, while others, like additional snacks or comfort items, may require a simple request to the flight crew.