Survive the economy experience

THE cabin upgrades promised by British Airways as part of its recent sales campaign will be welcome to those business travellers who are top-tier Executive Club members having to fly down the back of the plane.

Fewer and fewer employers - including senior management - are granting their employees the privilege of flying business class, even on long-haul flights.

But for non-qualifying Executive Club members flying in economy class or on no-frills airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair or Go, it need not be as bad as you think. Follow our six-point plan of action to help ease the indignity of it all...

Invest in a portable DVD player so you can still watch whatever you want, whenever you want, and listen to your favourite CDs too.

The latest offering by Panasonic, the LV60, comes with a travel bag that looks like a laptop case. It is ultralight at just 510g and, unlike other models, it can be modified to play DVDs bought outside Britain. Call Panasonic on 08705 357357 or visit www.panasonic.co.uk Economy-class amenity bags fall far short of their business class counterparts, so stock up on miniature toiletries from the Body Shop, located in most high streets and major airports. In the Vitamin E range, you can buy a handy pack containing cleanser, night cream, moisturiser and lip balm for pounds 7.50.

Alternatively, main Boots stores offer miniature toiletries in a number of popular ranges, including The Sanctuary, Botanics and Spa, all displayed in a pick-and-mix-style counter.

Noise and activity levels are generally higher in economy class, so it is imperative that you take the best ear plugs and eye mask for your journey. If you haven't kept them from your business-class days, probably the best eye masks around are made by the luggage company Samsonite. They have adjustable straps, padding across the bridge of the nose and comfortable satiny linings.

For around pounds 4, you get ear plugs too. Call Samsonite on 01905 342900 for details of your nearest stockist.

Meals in economy class are not always of the highest quality so if you are at the back of the plane, it is wise to bring your own. At the Milestone Hotel, in Kensington, the chef will prepare you a Lunch to Go for pounds 25, complete with fresh homemade bread sandwiches, crudites with a variety of dips, rotisserie chicken with tossed salad, bar of chocolate, fresh fruit salad and a banana and pistachio muffin, all packed in a neat box with cutlery, napkins and cruets.

The Metropolitan Hotel, on Park Lane, provides Brekkie to Go if you order it the night before. Choose from the pounds 12 Paris (pastries), pounds 13 London (hot bacon sandwich) or pounds 15 New York (smoked salmon bagel and cream cheese), all with juices, teas, coffees and fresh fruit.

For maximum snooze comfort, treat yourself to an inflatable travel pillow but make sure it is one that easily deflates to fit in your bag. A good choice is The Snoozer (pounds 5.50), available at Outdoors travel shops, and which comes in a horseshoeshape to give good support for your neck. It folds flat into a neat, hand-sized pouch. Alternatively, try the Airogym (www.airogym.com) for pounds 10.99, which can also be used to exercise various muscles to help combat deep vein thrombosis.

Unless you are a member of an airline's loyalty scheme, economy class travel won't give you access to the airport lounge, but don't fret.

Most airports have pay-for lounge options , where you can use business facilities. At Heathrow, for example, Thomas Cook operates a Business Centre in the Queens Building, between Terminals 1 and 2, offering lounge facilities and refreshments for pounds 20 and use of the showers for an extra pounds 5. Gatwick offers the Sir Robert Hardingham Suite at South Terminal and the Alexandra Suite in North Terminal where, for pounds 19, you have access to a bar, showers, the internet, TV, and newspapers, while Buzz and KLMuk passengers at Stansted can pay pounds 5 to use a lounge in Satellite 2. Ask at check-in where the pay-for facilities are located.

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