Last week I traveled a longer distance. It is always quite challenging, especially if you have a tight schedule for multiple flights and connections to extraordinarily large airports.
My first flight was around 25 years ago when I flew to Denmark. I remember that time the flight was a special occasion and a joy to travel. Nowadays, after 9/11 and Covid, it has become a stress factor. Always a worry with several factors:
What if I miss some new regulations, forget to fill out an extra form, or miss a health check?
What if I miss the connecting flight because of the delays?
What if my luggage is lost on the flight?
I know everybody has experience in any of these topics, or you can freely add more. Traveling became vast stress instead of a joyful time spent. Most airlines add more stress which relates to their economic KPIs. Yesterday on CNBC, there was an interview about how space decreased over time on airplanes - Significantly!
For my past travel, I chose British Airways as a regular airline, not a Budget airline. But I realized that for the price of the last Business class flight, I got the worst economic class that competes with Ryan Air - whose reputation is famous for competing for the worst service.
The space between the rows was not so much; I needed to fold my legs, which was not comfortable on an 8.5 hours flight, but with some meditative state, it was not a problem. The real problems started later when the passenger in front of me realized his ego needed more space!
He tilted his seat back, and I needed luck catching my beverages in the air. The only solution that I found: I prop up the seat in front of me with my knees.
I surprisingly got the answer from the flight attendant; the passengers have the right to tilt their seats, and independently from the fact, I still tried to drink my beverage as I was the last person who had the food service.
I also got advice from the father of the boy who sits in front of me, next time; I should buy the Business Class if I need more space.
As I sat in the last but one row, I thought it was not a good idea to tilt on my seat as well, as the lady in the last row couldn't tilt. I could be mad about the situation, but on a long trip, I had enough time to make some reflection on the situation.
I travel mostly once a year for such a long flight. If I make myself angry, it only affects my health and doesn't solve the solution. I only have to spend time for a few hours with such rude people, but they have to live together for a lifespan.
After covid, it is funny how the airlines forget space considerations. The seat in front of me was only 20cm from my face during the flight; however, there are several places where you can spot the - keep social distance stickers :)