WASHINGTON, DC — A viral TikTok trend claims to make sleep easier on crowded flights by pulling the knees up, placing the feet on the seat and buckling the seat belt around the ankles. Experts say travelers should not try it.
Former flight attendants and physicians interviewed for the story say the position can be unsafe in turbulence, awkward for crew members during emergencies and potentially harmful to circulation on long trips.
Why experts say the seated leg position can be dangerous
Tyson Sadler, a former Air Canada flight attendant, said unexpected turbulence can be violent enough to throw a passenger sideways if they are not sitting in a stable position. He also said that in an emergency, flight attendants need people upright, belted properly and able to move quickly.
According to Sadler, wrapping yourself into the seat belt can slow down response time and add confusion when seconds matter.
Medical risks include reduced circulation and possible clot concerns
Mounir Haurani, MD, chief of vascular surgery at East Carolina University, said long flights already raise the risk of blood clots because of extended sitting, dehydration, restricted movement and cabin-pressure changes.
He said keeping the legs tightly folded may further limit movement and strain joints, muscles and blood vessels, potentially increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis. He added that the body depends on several mechanisms to move blood back from the legs, and that position disrupts many of them.
Why the hack also bothers other passengers
The experts also called the trend inconsiderate. Sadler said passengers who pull their legs onto the seat often end up spreading into neighboring space, which can be frustrating on a full plane.
He added that putting shoes on the seat is a common complaint among travelers because airplane seats are shared public spaces.
Safer ways to sleep better on a plane
W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep specialist, recommended a simple travel kit: earplugs, an eye mask and a neck pillow. He said a window seat can help because it reduces interruptions from other passengers and lets travelers lean against the aircraft wall.
All three experts also recommended staying hydrated, avoiding too much caffeine or alcohol, and packing light so there is room to move your legs under the seat. Sadler said comfortable layers and a window seat are often the easiest setup for long-haul sleep.
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