Sleeping on long-haul flights is rarely comfortable. There’s the seatbelt, armrest, and other passengers all squeezed into a tight space. However, one TikToker shared that she just might have unlocked the key to comfort, which has flight experts alarmed.
In the inflammatory tutorial, which currently boasts over 21 million views, Lexi demonstrates how travellers can get much-needed shut-eye in the infamously cramped economy section by curling their legs onto the seat.
The passenger then fastens the seatbelt around their legs like shackles to prevent them from slipping off the seat once she dozes off.
“To whoever it was that said to put the plane belt around your ankles, I owe you my life,” she gushed in the caption.
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Catch some Z’s
This might seem like a perfect way for a passenger to get some Z’s in economy. However, flight experts were quick to rip her method of snooze control to shreds, deeming it potentially hazardous should the aircraft encounter any turbulence or other inflight mishaps.
Ankles are not for seatbelts
“If it’s attached to your ankles, this could put you in a life-threatening situation as you take extra time first to unbuckle and re-buckle your seatbelt,” Michael Wallace, travel expert and CEO of Greenback Expat Tax Services, told Thrillist.
“If the plane hits turbulence that causes you to lean forward at an increased rate, colliding with the seat in front of you and your knees can lead to two very different outcomes.”
Even more worrying for flight staff, he added that a sudden jolt could even cause the passenger to knee themself in the face, potentially causing a concussion.
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Will anyone try it?
Commentators agreed with the experts and thought the hack was not only unsafe but would hurt!
“My knees would be like grenades when I unbuckled it,” added one commenter, while another wrote, “No way that’s safe.”
A third wrote, “As a flight attendant… please don’t.”
One who tried this so-called hack failed, “Got yelled at by the flight attendant for this.”
Lexi didn’t address any safety concerns but did reply when a commenter highlighted, “There’s no way that’s more comfortable long term than just sitting,” to which she replied, “I’m someone who has to sleep with my legs up n I usually tuck my feet behind the seat😭 I can’t sleep in a sitting position it’s too uncomfy! This was also a 3 hour flight tho…”
To be safe on a long-haul flight, please keep your seatbelt on low and tight over your waist, not your ankles.
Originally published as Viral seatbelt hack could be life threatening, travel experts warn
