10 Airline Freebies in Economy Class

Traveling can be a real drag, especially when it involves economy class on an airline.

Between cramped spaces and limited amenities, it’s enough to make even the bravest traveler hesitant.

But have no fear!

There are a few gems that you can look forward to when it comes to airline freebies in economy class.

And the best part is, you don’t even have to pay extra for them! Now if only they offered a free upgrade… Get it?

Because that’s an airline freebie  that you *can’t* get in economy class. 

Okay, so let’s take a look at all of the other goodies that can make your economy class experience a little more bearable.

Blankets and Pillows

Let’s start with the basics. You might assume that airlines only provide these on long-haul flights, but that’s not always the case. Some airlines, like Emirates and Delta, provide them on all flights. It might not seem like a big deal, but having a cozy blanket and pillow can make all the difference on a long flight.

Snacks

We all know that airplane food is not the greatest, but did you know that you can get free snacks on most flights? From bags of pretzels to Biscoff cookies, airlines are happy to provide some munchies to keep you satisfied. Just ask the flight attendant if they have any snacks available.

Drinks

And of course, we can’t forget about drinks. While alcoholic beverages are usually not free in economy, you can still get soda, juice, and water without paying a dime. Just ask the flight attendant for a beverage and they’ll be happy to serve you.

Headphones

Forgot your headphones at home? No problem. Many airlines provide complimentary headphones so you can watch the in-flight entertainment or listen to music. Just ask the flight attendant if they have any available.

Eye Mask and Earplugs

If you’re looking for some peace and quiet on your flight, ask the flight attendant for an eye mask and earplugs. These small items can make a big difference in blocking out noise and light, helping you get some much-needed rest on a long flight.

Wi-Fi

While not all airlines offer free Wi-Fi, some do. JetBlue and Southwest (A-List Preferred Member only) provide free Wi-Fi on select flights, while others like Emirates offer 20MB of free Wi-Fi data if you fly on an A380 aircraft. It might not be enough to stream Netflix, but it’s enough to check your email and stay connected.

Magazines

If you forgot to pack some reading material for your flight, don’t worry. Many airlines provide complimentary magazines and newspapers for you to peruse. Take advantage of this freebie and catch up on the latest news and trends.

Amenity Kits

While amenity kits are usually reserved for business and first class, some airlines do provide them in economy. Cathay Pacific, for example, provides a small amenity kit with socks, an eye mask, toothbrush, and toothpaste. It might not be as luxurious as the ones in business class, but it’s still a nice touch.

Hot Towels

Hot towels are usually reserved for business and first class, but some airlines do provide them in the economy as well. They might seem like a small detail, but a hot towel can make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated during a long flight.

In-Flight Entertainment

Last but not least, let’s not forget about in-flight entertainment. Most airlines provide a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and music for you to enjoy during your flight. Take advantage of this freebie and catch up on your favorite shows or discover something new.

Final Thoughts

As I write this, I’m on my final flight of the week. I feel exhausted and slightly defeated – I’ve been in economy class every time, and those seats just don’t get any more comfortable.

Accustomed to long journeys now, I embark with the same hope: maybe I’ll get lucky and the flight attendant will be generous.

Every time I board the plane, I prepare myself. As soon as they come around with snacks, I politely ask if I can have extras for later on. They usually respond with a snarky comment or an eye-roll, so it’s risky – but it works sometimes.

Today was especially rough. The flight attendant had been giving me dirty looks all morning, no matter how polite I was.

So when it was time for snacks, I summoned all the courage I had left and asked for an extra bag of peanuts.

The flight attendant gave me the same look she’d been giving me all day – but this time, surprisingly, her response was much gentler than usual.

She said: “Of course, you can have one extra bag of peanuts,” and proceeded to offer me a few other complementary snacks as well.

I was astounded and overjoyed as she handed me the goodies. It was a small gesture of kindness in a seemingly endless stream of economy class stresses, but it made all the difference.

From that moment onward, every time I get on an airplane, I’ll remember to ask for some airline freebies – you never know when you might get lucky!