Plane passengers warned that viral 'sleeping hack' could be life-threatening

28 February 2024 , 13:02

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There are safer ways to get some sleep during a flight (Image: Getty Images)

Getting to sleep on a flight is no easy feat, and there are plenty of clever travel tips out there to help you get some shut-eye on a plane.

However, passengers are being warned by a travel expert to swerve one recently viral 'hack' because while you may feel more comfortable, ultimately you could be putting yourself in a life-threatening situation.

TikTok user @alexisburnaby1711 used the trick, which involves buckling the plane seat's belt around your ankles instead of your waist, so you can keep your knees up on the seat while you sleep. She captioned the clip: "To whoever it was that said to put the plane belt around your ankles… I owe you my life."

In fact, it could prove to be a particularly dangerous situation. Michael Wallace, travel expert and CEO of Greenback Expat Tax Services, told Thrillist that the 'hack' can be "life-threatening" if the plane hits any turbulence.

He explained: "If it's attached to your ankles, this could put you in a life-threatening situation as you take extra time to first unbuckle and rebuckle your seatbelt."

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He also added that the position of your knees means you could hit your head on them if there was a jolt - and that in itself could easily cause a concussion.

If you are someone who struggles to sleep on a flight, there are plenty of easier (and safer) ways to try and get a good night's kip. For example a travel pillow can make all the difference (you can find a whole host on Amazon here), while a large scarf can double up as an extra blanket.

If ear plugs aren't comfortable and you frequently travel by plane, it's worth investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones (which are also useful if you want to watch a film or show on your gadgets without being disturbed by your fellow passengers).

If you are going to have a nap, make sure you leave your seat belt over your blanket. Flight attendants often walk down the plane aisles to check if people have their belts buckled up when the seatbelt sign is on; if you're asleep and the seat belt isn't visible, for safety reasons they may have to wake you up. However if they can see the belt, they'll be able to walk by and leave you soundly asleep.

Oh, and make sure you skip your usual pre-flight coffee; although it can be tempting in the airport when you're groggy and tired, it could mean you're left wide awake on your flight. Sadly, the same rule applies for those in-flight coffees too - best to wait until you've had your sleep before you indulge!

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Julie Delahaye