7 of the Best Freebies You Can Get in Economy—Meals, Alcoholic Drinks, and Toys Included

Travel + Leisure

3 days ago

Key Takeaway
Even in economy, passengers can score perks like alcoholic drinks, amenity kits, and Wi-Fi, depending on the airline and route. Flight attendants are more likely to grant requests after the main service, especially when passengers are polite and patient.
Just because you're flying economy doesn't mean you can't enjoy a few special perks. Even if these extras aren't always widely advertised, they're often available if you ask. As Dollar Flight Club founder and CEO Jesse Neugarten points out, "Many travelers don't realize that even in economy, a polite request can get you a few helpful extras."
However, Quinn English, founder of FreeQuinnt Flyer, explains that not all routes are created equal when it comes to economy freebies. For example, he notes that longer flights are more likely to offer extra perks. Similarly, Neugarten adds that "international routes almost always offer more perks than domestic ones."
Additionally, English points out that "full-service airlines like Delta, United, and American are going to be the most generous with freebies in economy." On the other hand, both he and Neugarten tell Travel + Leisure that budget carriers tend to be far more limited in what they offer, which makes sense, given their focus on keeping costs (and ticket prices) as low as possible.
When asking for freebies, remember that a little kindness and patience go a long way. As English notes, "The most important thing to remember is that most airlines aren't overstaffing flight attendants on each flight, so they have a pretty heavy workload, especially during boarding, getting ready for takeoff, and landing." With that in mind, those probably aren't the best times to make requests. Instead, wait until after the main service has finished and the cabin has settled down—that's when flight attendants are most likely to have the time (and bandwidth) to help.
If you're ready to take your in-flight experience to the next level, keep reading to discover the best airline freebies you can score in economy.