Passenger’s ‘hack’ for staying comfortable on long-haul flights divides millions

If you’ve ever flown long-haul, you’ll know no number of flight pillows or blankets can help make you comfortable.

Which is why one passenger’s video about staying comfortable while flying has gone viral.

Passenger Abby Baffoe, from the US, shared her “number one flight hack” for getting cosy while flying.

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In the video, Abby, who is wearing a hoodie, curls up with her knees up and her feet on the seat, with the seatbelt across her ankles rather than her lap.

“Thank you to whoever showed us the seatbelt idea, I tried this and was so comfortable my whole flight,” she captioned her video.

Abby Baffoe demonstrates her ‘hack’ to fly in comfort.
Abby Baffoe demonstrates her ‘hack’ to fly in comfort. Credit: Abby Baffoe Instagram

More than 56 million people watched her video, with many praising the hack.

But even more wondered whether it is safe or even advisable.

“That looks extremely uncomfortable,” one person commented.

And someone with plenty of experience of long-haul flights said: “Please don’t do this, this isn’t safe. We flight attendants don’t just make this up, we are kept up-to-date with or have first-hand experience with lots of incidents. When we tell you to wear your seatbelt properly on a 600mph flying tube, please do.”

Another person was concerned about the health risks, saying: “All I see is a deep vein thrombosis waiting to happen.”

And another flight attendant weighed in, saying: “Just to give everyone here a quick tip for both safety and comfort on long haul flights, if you’re looking to do something like this to stop your legs from slipping under the seat while sleeping there’s a better alternative.”

Abby frequently shares videos and photos from her travels to her social media channels.
Abby frequently shares videos and photos from her travels to her social media channels. Credit: Abby Baffoe Instagram

The flight attendant explained you can buy small airplane-safe inflatables that fit on the floor between your seat and the seat in front of you, which basically adds a footrest or extends your seat into a miniature bed.

“I’d highly recommend this especially in recent events with 20 people being severely injured on … (a) Singapore flight resulting in one tragic loss of life,” the attendant said.

“Aircrafts can run into unplanned turbulence at any time and severe turbulence is incredibly scary and can happen at any moment.

“Wearing your seatbelt like this (in the video) would likely result in your own injury and the injury of others and often there’s little notice before it hits for you to strap in!

“You might be lucky and never see turbulence in all your flying life but in my career I’ve seen it more times than not.”

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