‘Don’t do it’: Warning over viral plane hack

A US influencer who shared a now viral clip has left fans divided over a “hack” for staying comfortable on long-haul flights.

A US influencer known for her travel content has left fans divided over a “hack” for staying comfortable on long-haul flights.

Abby Baffoe, who has clocked more than 67 million views on her TikToks, shared a clip that revealed her “number one flight hack” for getting cosy while flying.

In the video, Abby, who is wearing a white jumper, tights and socks, curls up with her knees up and her feet on the seat.

She is then seen fitting the seatbelt across her ankles before securely buckling it.

“Thank you to whoever showed us the seat belt idea. I tried this and was so comfortable my whole flight,” she said.

“As someone that needs to sit with their legs up ILY FOR THIS,” she continued in the caption.

Her post has been viewed 2.5 million times with hundreds of comments from people divided by the act.

“Please tell me what this would do for you in turbulence. Don’t do this,” one concerned follower wrote.

“Very safe when a decompression happens,” wrote another.

Some pointed out how uncomfortable it looks, particularly for taller people.

“My knees would say no thankyou,” one person said.

“This looks like the absolute most uncomfortable position. I’m only 5’2 and I need to stretch my legs. What is this?” another asked.

US influencer Abby Baffoe shared a controversial plane hack.

However, those who have engaged in the act said it has “changed my life”.

“REAL I TRIED IT AND IT WAS SO GOOD,” one fellow passenger wrote.

“Wowww def using this trick when I travel in 2 weeks LOL,” another added.

One person said they’ve “done it for years” while a second person said it “really works”.

However, a flight attendant chimed in to reinforce why you shouldn’t do it.

She can be seen in a viral clip bucking her seatbelt around her ankles to help make long haul flights ‘more comfortable’. Picture: TikTok/abbybaffoe

“Please don’t do this, this isn’t safe. We flight attendants don’t just make this up, we are kept up-to-date with or have first-hand experience with lots of incidents,” the airline worker wrote.

“When we tell you to wear your seatbelt properly on a 600mph flying tube, please do.”

Another person was concerned about the health risks, adding all they see is a “deep vein thrombosis waiting to happen”.

Angus Kidman, travel expert at Finder warned passengers of the dangers of the act, saying “seatbelts are crucial for protecting you”.

“Wear your seatbelt properly. If you need more legroom for comfort, splurge on an exit row,” he told news.com.au.

Abby is known for her travel and lifestyle content, having amassed more than 63 million views on her TikToks alone. Picture: Instagram/abbybaffoe

One flight attendant said there was a safer alternative such as buying small airplane-safe inflatables that fit on the floor between your seat and the seat in front of you.

She said it adds a footrest or extends your seat into a miniature bed.

“I’d highly recommend this especially in recent events with 20 people being severely injured on … (a) Singapore flight resulting in one tragic loss of life,” the attendant said.

“Aircraft can run into unplanned turbulence at any time and severe turbulence is incredibly scary and can happen at any moment.

“Wearing your seatbelt like this (in the video) would likely result in your own injury and the injury of others and often there’s little notice before it hits for you to strap in!

“You might be lucky and never see turbulence in all your flying life but in my career I’ve seen it more times than not.”