Be careful with this TikTok travel tip: The plane seatbelt hack that is trending and experts say is extremely dangerous

Anyone who’s traveled on an airplane, especially on a long-distance flight, knows the struggle of trying to fall asleep. The early-morning rush to get to the airport and the stress of getting through security can sometimes leave us so exhausted that all we want to do is pass out into a sleepy bliss until we’ve landed.

But those tight airplane seats and sitting upright make it pretty difficult to find a comfortable enough position to actually fall asleep. It feels like torture. So when a TikTok hack started going viral, people were excited to try it on their next flight. However, experts strongly advise against it.

Experts warn against viral TikTok airplane seatbelt hack

Some videos went viral on social media over the last year, showing passengers pulling their knees to their chest and then strapping the seatbelt across their ankles to keep them from slipping off the seat. They then rest their head on their knees to fall asleep.

The videos racked up millions of views and saw several new passengers try out the trend for themselves. The problem is, this is actually a very dangerous way to sit in an airplane, according to experts.

“This is extremely dangerous,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. “The seatbelt is designed to sit low and tight across your lap. This is to best protect you in the event of turbulence, an emergency landing or an accident. This is not only for your safety; if you are not properly buckled in you will likely hurt someone else when thrown in turbulence.”

Not only are experts warning against it, but there is also a punishment for anyone who chooses not to heed that warning.

“Bottom line, this is a violation of federal regulations and instructions from crew members. Stop it,” said Nelson.

Nelson said that refusing to abide by the law could result in fines of up to $35,000. So, it’s pretty serious.

While the viral hack has been praised and tried out by many, several passengers say they wouldn’t be flexible enough to even attempt the position, and taller people certainly wouldn’t bother. Still, some others say this extreme measure is taken by passengers as a result of the inadequate size of economy seating.

While some critics suggest the seatbelt at the ankles could increase the risk of blood clots, one expert says that’s not the worst of the concerns, although it is possible.

“It’s hard to say whether this purported travel hack will specifically lead to blood clots, but I would be careful with anything that restricts blood flow because that may lead to an increased risk of clots,” said Dr. Nathan Connell, a hematologist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

“If there was turbulence or an emergency, and someone’s legs were wrapped up in the seatbelt like this, it could lead to a leg or ankle injury, which could also cause blood clots as well.”

It may help passengers sleep, but strapping one’s ankles into a seatbelt on a plane certainly doesn’t help to keep them safe.

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