I took a 10-hour flight, and one carry-on item made sitting in economy more comfortable

13.07.2024 - 08:44 / insider.com

I have a confession: I'm not always the most courteous person on a flight.

No, I don't pick fights with flight attendants or eat tuna salad midair, but I do constantly search for the most comfortable resting position. And, sometimes, that's pressing my knees against the seat in front of me.

On a recent 10-hour flight, I wanted to avoid feeling uncomfortable and bothering another passenger.

The solution I found was a $9 foot hammock.

For years, I've eyed a foot hammock. The Wall Street Journal deemed it a "savior of economy fliers," and Travel and Leisure reported that flight attendants love the plane accessory.

But a few things kept me from pressing add to cart on Amazon.

Mainly, I like to pack as light as possible. I refuse to check a bag, meaning every bit of space in my carry-on is precious. I wasn't sure if sacrificing room for an item I would only use during a small portion of a trip would be worth it.

Related stories

I've also read that the foot hammocks cater to shorter travelers. As Business Insider previously reported, shorter people can face lower back and leg pressure if their feet don't touch the floor. A hammock saves them from that pain. At 5'8", I don't face that challenge.

My final concern was that I wouldn't be allowed to use the hammock in the first place. Some airlines, like Air New Zealand, prohibit items that hang from an aircraft seat. Since foot hammocks hang from your tray table, they're technically not allowed.

But after booking a 10-hour economy flight, I wanted a new approach to getting comfy on a plane. Since foot hammocks are affordable — I bought mine for under $10 — I figured I would give one a shot.

A few days before my flight, I purchased the Zoklu footrest on Amazon for $9. A few days later, it arrived in a small package.

I realized my first concern — taking up precious carry-on space — was no longer a worry. The hammock was smaller than a paperback book, and I could easily find space in my backpack.

While waiting to board, I searched to see if my airline, Lufthansa, prohibited foot hammocks. I didn't see any rules against them, so I set up the contraption once I was settled in my seat.

The setup was easy. The foot hammock is attached to an adjustable strap that wraps around your tray table. Once the strap is looped around the table, you can close it, sit back, and relax.

The foot hammock allowed me to be in my preferred plane position with my knees up. The passenger in front of me didn't indicate they could feel the hammock, which made sense since my weight pushed toward the floor instead of into their back.

With a backpack tucked under my seat, I didn't find the hammock helpful for stretching my legs straight, which is how many of the online Amazon descriptions