Man Not Expecting To 'Live Like a King' in Economy on 9-Hour Flight
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A video about a couple who unexpectedly got to enjoy a nearly empty flight to India has captivated viewers on TikTok.
The video was posted by Arti Lakhani (@theyougi), a 31-year-old internal audit manager and content creator based in England in the United Kingdom. The clip has garnered over 41,000 views since it was first posted back in early February.
Lakhani and her partner were on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London, the U.K. capital, to Mumbai in India. "There were a total of 80 passengers on the flight, according to the cabin crew" and "there was a full flight of staff, so it was [a] pretty much personalized service," Lakhani told Newsweek.
Text overlaid on the video says: "When the flight is empty," as the poster's partner is captured smiling while sitting among some empty rows on a plane.
"So you live like a king in economy," the text continues, as he's later shown laying flat on his back across a row seats.
Screenshots from a TikTok video of a passenger laying across a row of seats on a nearly empty flight to Mumbai, India
Screenshots from a TikTok video of a passenger laying across a row of seats on a nearly empty flight to Mumbai, India
@theyougi on TikTok
The post comes as the total passenger demand for air travel in March was found to have increased by 3.3 percent compared to March 2024, rising from the 2.7 percent growth reported for February, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said last week.
The couple's enjoyment of their unexpected luck is understandable because lack of seat space is not only inconvenient but can also pose health risks, according to a January 2019 study published in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics.
The study, conducted among Spanish adult plane passengers, noted that "the increase of economy class airline seats is necessary because immobility on airplane flights can develop different pathologies, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism known as economy class syndrome."
The study advised that "the increase in size (body mass and stature) and changing proportions of the human body over the past few decades should be considered in the ergonomic design of economy class airline seats."
"An international law should regulate a minimum SP [seat pitch—the distance between two rows of seats], LR [leg room] and SW [seat width] for commercial airplanes," the study said.
'Best Feeling'
In a caption shared with the video, Lakhani said: "We did not expect the flight to be this empty!"
Lakhani told Newsweek: "Some of the perks of the flight being so empty were that we got to completely lay flat in economy class across all three seats. We were able to use all the extra blankets and pillows to create a comfy bed."
She added: "The total flight time is approximately nine hours and we were able to sleep for around eight hours which was amazing. The food service was very quick and it was so calm on board."
Viewers on TikTok could relate to the couple's elation over the extra space.
User mfrenchhh said it is the "best feeling," while @muzikjnxop asked: "How did you get an empty virgin Atlantic plane!!!!"
User polly noted: "As a virgin Atlantic flight attendant we love an empty flight so our customers can enjoy a bit of space to relax."
User manara________ wrote: "Happened to me on Etihad from Sydney—Abu Dhabi everyone was looking around in disbelief I slept 14 hours..."
Rosh S also said: "This has happened to me a few times on emirates A380 and laying down in a 4-row is first class sleep without the first class price! Haha."
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