Let’s face it: No one looks forward to a long-haul flight in economy class, especially in the dreaded middle seat. Even a cocktail or two, a $10 bag of snack mix, and the latest neck pillow technology can’t save you from the battle for the armrest or the age-old debate — to recline or not to recline? A first- or business-class fare undoubtedly solves many of those problems, but most travelers likely assume it’s beyond their price point. Don’t let the sticker shock deter you, though: There may be a way to score that lie-flat seat on a budget after all. 

Fly Out of a Bigger Airport

On long-haul flights, most major carriers — such as Delta, American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, United, JetBlue, Japan Airlines, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Lufthansa — offer fully reclinable seats that transform into a 180-degree horizontal bed for a true lie-flat experience. Before you do anything, be sure to research the flight you plan to take to see if the plane model has lie-flat seats available, as many smaller planes meant for shorter flights do not.

These seats often go for thousands of dollars more than a standard economy-class fare. Thankfully, however, there are a few strategies to help you save.

If you live in a small city or are looking to fly into a smaller airport off the beaten tourist path, consider a positioning flight to a major airport, where there are more airlines available and opportunities for discounted fares thanks to competition. For example, a business-class ticket from Burlington, Vermont, to Paris can cost much more than booking a regular economy seat on a short flight from Burlington to New York and then a business-class seat from New York to Paris. When booking separate tickets, just make sure to give yourself enough time to check in with the second airline and clear security again at your layover airport. 

Make a Bid for an Upgrade

If you’ve already booked an economy ticket and want to take your chances at scoring a heavily discounted business-class seat, many airlines (though none based in the U.S.) offer bidding programs hosted by third-party travel technology companies such as Plusgrade. 

Airlines set a certain minimum bid (say $300) for each leg, and prospective bidders enter their credit card information on the airline’s bidding page in order to be considered. If you are selected and the airline accepts your bid, you will find out in the days leading up to departure, and your card will be automatically charged. (If the airline doesn’t accept your bid, you’ll keep your original seat.) 

Use Points, Miles, or Elite Status Perks

If you’ve got a stockpile of points or miles with an airline (or a credit card program that lets you transfer points to airline programs), consider using them toward an upgrade. Often, you can find great deals with points, either by booking business-class outright or by keeping an eye on the airline’s website or app for last-minute upgrade offers. For example, with Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue Program (a transfer partner with several travel credit cards), you can book a one-way business-class flight from the East Coast to Europe for as little as 45,000 miles — a ticket that can easily go for several thousands of dollars in cash.

And if you’re enrolled in an airline’s loyalty program and have achieved top-tier status, you may already be in the running for an upgrade if the flight has space available in business class. Rack up enough spend with a single airline, and you may earn elite perks such as priority check-in, free checked bags, lounge access, and eligibility for complimentary upgrades. Often, complimentary upgrades are limited to domestic or short international flights. For long-haul flights with lie-flat seats, however, members in higher-status tiers may earn certificates that can be exchanged for free upgrades, pending availability. 

Sign Up for a Flight Deal Newsletter

Leave it to the experts to scour the skies for the best bang for your buck. Flight deal newsletters such as Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), Thrifty Traveler, Straight to the Points, Travelzoo, Secret Flying, Jack’s Flight Club, and Premium Flights send subscribers top flight deal newsletters, which feature “secret” premium economy, business, and first-class fares not advertised to the public. These flight deal newsletters may cost a monthly fee, but subscribers have reported saving 40% to 90% on regular ticket prices by taking advantage of fare drops, mistake fares, and flash sales. 

Volunteer for a Later Flight

Since a certain percentage of passengers no-show for any given flight, oftentimes airlines sell more tickets than there are seats on a plane. This presents an opportunity to use the system to your advantage. If airlines are looking for volunteers to take a later flight in order to accommodate all ticketed passengers and you agree to assist, you may be eligible to receive cash or a travel voucher to use toward a future flight. But if you are interested in obtaining a premium seat on your new flight, it doesn’t hurt to ask — it may be something airline employees are willing to provide if they can’t get enough volunteers (assuming there are business-class seats available).

Fly an All-Business-Class Airline

Some airlines don’t even bother with economy class. La Compagnie, a French boutique airline, offers just 76 business-class seats in a two-by-two configuration. All seats convert into fully flat beds and come with amenities such as a thick, plush mattress pad. 

Better yet: You may be likely to find a deal. With so many business-class seats to fill, travelers can often find fares that are 30% to 50% cheaper than those of legacy airlines such as Air France. Beond, another business-class-only airline based out of Dubai, transports passengers to the Maldives in fully lie-flat seats upholstered in Italian Poltrona Frau leather across its entire narrow-body fleet. 

If business class still isn’t in the budget, some major airlines are beginning to offer lie-flat accommodations in economy class. Lufthansa provides a Sleeper’s Row option on select long-haul flights (11-plus hours), which allows passengers to book a row of three to four seats for themselves and receive a mattress pad, pillow, and blanket. Air New Zealand, meanwhile, was the pioneer of the Skycouch, which converts a row of three economy seats into a flat, couch-like bed. Later this year, the airline will also debut bunk beds, which economy passengers can reserve for a few hours at a time. And stateside, United will be the first U.S. airline to roll out a couch-style seating option called Relax Row, to convert a block of three seats into a mattress-like space for long-haul flights, in 2027.