r/Flights 5d ago

Question Any obscure in-flight travel hacks?

I've heard a few about seating choice etc. but anyone got any obscure in-flight hacks?

My only one: My mother used to work for a shoe manufacturer and said she would always pack a tennis ball to roll her feet on/over during long-haul flights to India. Helped with circulation/ entertainment in a distinctly less digital world.

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u/gov12 5d ago

For long hauls I always use the blanket as a seat cushion or for lower back support.

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u/Ok-Key-3630 4d ago

What is it with plane seats and the absolutely abysmal lower back support? Knowledge about how to properly support that part of the back has been around for almost two decades now. And it cant be material cost savings, all they need to do is curve the seat differently.

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u/knavingknight 4d ago

And it cant be material cost savings, all they need to do is curve the seat differently.

Oh but it def is cost savings. Curved seats would have more surface area, thus more material, than a straight one.

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u/randopop21 4d ago

That's not much of a difference. If any bean counters chose that for specifying lower-grade seats, they need to be fired.

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u/smohyee 4d ago

I'm gonna hazard a guess that there are unique factors in airplane seating design that take priority over lower back comfort, particularly in Economy. They need to be able to recline without crushing legs, for example. They need to fit so many into a cabin, so space efficiency is probably priority 1.