Experts warn against viral TikTok travel hack for long flights

Flight experts have issued a warning against a new viral travel hack on TikTok, saying it could put you in a “life-threatening” situation.

In a viral tutorial with over 21.3 million views, TikToker Lexi (alexisburnaby1711) showed how travelers can find some comfort in the notoriously confined economy section by curling their legs up onto the seat.

The flight passenger then secured the seatbelt around her legs like restraints, presumably to prevent them from slipping off the seat once she fell asleep. “To whoever it was that said to put the plane belt around your ankles, I owe you my life,” Lexi wrote in the text-overlay of her video.

At first glance, this might appear to be the ideal method for travelers to sleep on a plane without the luxury of a fully reclinable business-class seat. However, flight experts have now criticized this hack, citing potential hazards in the event of turbulence or other in-flight incidents.

Flight experts slam viral travel hack

Travel expert and CEO of Greenback Expat Tax Services, Michael Wallace, told Thrillist: “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.

“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.”

He also mentioned that a sudden jolt could result in the passenger kneeing themselves in the face, potentially leading to a concussion.

While Lexi’s TikTok video has amassed over 2 million likes, many commenters agree that the method is absurd. “My knees would be like grenades when I unbuckled it,” one user wrote. “That’s really dangerous,” another said. “As a flight attendant… please don’t,” a third added.

This is just the latest viral hack to come under fire by experts after doctors warned against a popular potato juice cure for strep throat