Do you find yourself looking for ways to make economy seating on airplanes more comfortable? If the answer is yes, you are not alone.
In August 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation asked the public to comment on the minimum seat dimensions necessary for air passengers’ safety in the event of an emergency.
The federal agencies’ request was in response to a directive from Congress included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
More than 26,000 people responded to the prompt during the three months public comments were welcomed.
“As a long-time flyer with almost 3 million miles on Delta alone, I have been concerned for years about the impact of shrinking seat sizes and the space between rows of seats on emergency evacuation,” said Roger Stoller, one commenter, in the notice.
“Airplane seats are far too small. There needs to be a minimum size established, and it needs to be larger than the current sizing,” Epiphany Pizor, added. “There are so many people crammed into planes that evacuation is impossible in a reasonable amount of time.”
The notion that airplane seats are getting smaller is controversial. Some reports suggest the width of most airplane seating has gone from 18 inches to 16.5 inches since the 1990s, and the space between you and the seat in front of you is down to 28 inches from 35.
Yet, other reports say seats are wider than ever, but the legroom – or seat pitch as industry experts call it – is what’s getting smaller.
Where everyone can probably agree is that economy seats aren’t always comfortable no matter what side you are on the debate.
While first class and premium economy are the best choices to fly comfortably with more space and legroom, it’s not always affordable.
There are ways to have a better flight experience if you don’t have premium seating. Here are the best products to make economy seating more comfortable.
Everlasting Comfort Adjustable Foot and Heel Hammock
One highlight of first-class or premium economy seating is kicking up your feet after tons of walking in the airport.
Save your upgrade dollars and rest your feet with this adjustable foot and heel hammock designed with memory foam. This footrest differs from others on the market because it comes with space for each foot to rest comfortably.
The memory foam is what transforms this foot and heel hammock from good to great. It’s game-changing technology.
Comfi Life Lumbar Support Back Pillow
In addition to a neck pillow, this lumbar support back pillow could give people in first class a run for their money when it comes to comfort.
What’s even more satisfying is the fact that Comfi Life’s design is recommended by chiropractors for posture support and lower back pain relief while sitting.
Inflatable Travel Footrest Pillow
If you want a footrest that won’t take up too much space, an inflatable footrest pillow is a great option.
JefDiee’s versatile inflatable footrest pillow is a perfect lineup with most airplane seat heights, allowing you to elevate your legs for better comfort.
It’s a multifunctional travel device. You can also use the inflatable footrest to help children sleep better or as a platform to play with toys.
For adults, the inflatable pillow offers various options to change your sitting position to what feels most comfortable.
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Seleware Stackable Food Storage Containers
Another perk of paying for first-class and premium economy seats is the access to better snacks.
The workaround is to pack your own. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s another small touch that will help you feel optimal comfort.
Seleware has a few options, but the smallest comes with four stackable containers to easily pack healthy snacks from home. The twist and lock feature makes it leakproof and keeps your items airtight for freshness.
Snack Chest Ultimate Snacks Care Package
If you don’t know what to pack or where to start when packing snacks, you can always buy a variation. Start with the ultimate snacks care package from Snack Chest.
The package gives you 50 healthy items combined with salty and sweet snacks you can indulge in during your travels.
Kivik Weighted Lap Blanket
This weighted blanket should be used in addition to a travel blanket if you like to be fully covered.
What this blanket does is provide an extra layer of comfort. The compact weight gives you a more relaxing and soothing experience.
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