10 First-Class Amenities You Can Now Find in Coach

It's hard to imagine a time when flying economy involved restaurant-style meals and actual dishware; flight attendants happily served unlimited drinks from a bar area; and seats provided enough legroom to prevent losing circulation in your lower extremeties. In recent decades economy passengers have been subjected to meal reduction (or flat-out meal elimination), shrinking seats and zero free alcohol; some airlines barely serve more than water. In a small sign of changing times, a growing number of airlines are once again trying to improve the economy experience by providing amenities typically reserved for first class and its equivalent. Read on to learn who's serving welcome drinks, providing multi-course meal service and increasing seat comfort.

As of November 5, economy passengers on Delta’s international flights longer than 6.5 hours can now experience a version of what some international airlines have offered for years. This enhanced meal service includes a welcome Bellini, hot towel and healthier, larger meals. For example, a typical meal might include a caprese salad; harissa shrimp with apples, celery and arugula; ricotta ravioli in pesto sauce and marinated chicken with jasmine rice. Dessert service follows with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. And while coffee and tea are standard, expect free wine as well. Enjoy this meal service on custom-designed dinnerware instead of in plastic containers, along with Alessi-designed cutlery — almost making you forget you’re stuck in coach.

Qantas added the Dreamliner to its fleet in 2017, translating to cushier seats with ergonomic support, more legroom, netted footrests so you can prop up your feet, USB and charging ports, shelf for electronic devices and mood lighting. Another bonus? Seatback entertainment provides more than 1,000 hours of amusement for flights that feel that long. International economy perks also mean a welcome drink, unlimited snacks like fresh fruit from the cabin’s self-serve bar and more meal choices with larger servings. Basic amenity kits are provided on some flights.

JetBlue remains a market leader in domestic economy service, as evidenced in the Airbus A320 that debuted in May 2019. The new planes feature ergonomic seats that are 18-inches wide with up to 33 inches of legroom, a 10-inch seatback screen, USB and charging outlets and free Wi-Fi from the moment you sit down. Entertainment remains strong with free DirectTV and SiriusXM Radio. Showtime is available on some 320s. Meanwhile, all of JetBlue’s flights offer Shut-Eye service. Those flying red-eyes won’t get pillows and blankets for free, but the airline does provide an eye mask and ear plugs in case you forgot your own, then helps you wake up with a hot towel, along with coffee, bottled water or OJ. Sometimes it’s the little things.