Flying is not all French champagne, five-star food and cosy flatbeds. For a large proportion of the travelling population, flying economy is the only way they can afford to travel.
Travelling in economy class can be difficult sometimes, and it’s always great to be able to find a new tip that either saves time or makes the flight just that little bit more comfortable.
Australian-owned and manufactured, “Fly Legs Up” is a very useful product in a market where there is an overabundance of travel gadgets.
Knowing how to travel more comfortably in economy class is like trying to find utopia. There’s never truly going to be any travel aid that makes everything perfect. But, it comes as absolutely no surprise to me that an Australian would develop a product such as Fly Legs Up, given our geographical isolation from the rest of the world, and the length of our long-haul flights.
What is Fly Legs Up?
Fly Legs Up, can be best described as a hammock for your legs.
Fully CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) approved as a carry-on item and compliance checked by an expert aeronautical engineer, you’ll have no problems with airport security or onboard crew.*
*Tip: Before flying check with your airline as despite being approved (as per the above), some airlines have now banned such products
The adult version comes in its own carry bag, containing two inflatable cushions, instructions on how to fit it and the hammock.
It’s very light and easy to pack in your cabin bag. Alternatively, it has a carabiner on the side, allowing it to be hooked onto your luggage externally. They are also handmade, making them a high-quality product.
How does it work?
For Fly Legs Up to work, you need to be in an ordinary economy seat, not a bulkhead or exit row. The reason is that it attaches itself to the arms of the tray table that comes down from the seat in front. The tray tables in exit rows and bulkheads come from the arm of the chair.
I will admit to finding this a bit tricky. While on paper the instructions are clear, it’s a different situation on board. As anyone who has flown economy knows, there isn’t much clearance between yourself and the seat in front of you. The idea is that you find the straps marked ‘left’ and ‘right’ and attach those to the tray table. The hammock part then falls underneath.
It took a couple of times to get it in place correctly.
Tip: Set up at the start and leave it for the duration of your flight. You can do it when everyone else is still boarding and simply tuck it into the seat pocket.
Once in place, the large cushion was inflated and placed into the base of the hammock.
I honestly thought this might be a bit of a gimmick, but it does work. Raising my legs up, as opposed to having them dangle on the floor, made a huge difference. I could turn sideways, have one knee up and one down, and I could even put my legs through it, all while being suspended.
The straps can be shortened or lengthened depending on your preference. There is also a tail, that can be placed underneath you which prevents the hammock from slipping.
If you have someone sitting next to you, and let’s face it, it’s economy, so this is highly likely, the hammock won’t be a problem. In the event that a passenger needs to get past you, removing the tail and putting it inside the hammock will be more than enough to let the person pass.
Where can I buy it?
Fly Legs Up, available in both adult and children’s sizes may be bought online and may be shipped worldwide.
I have no experience travelling with children, but there is also a flight hammock now that transforms a seat into a bed for a child.
Similar products
Would I recommend it?
Overall, despite feeling a little self-conscious when I first took it out and started assembling it, I was so pleased I had it with me. While this device can be used on any flight, they are much better placed for long-haul flights, or at least flights of several hours duration.
Hi Linda, they are available online https://www.flylegsup.com/
Where do you get this product?? My husband and I have a long flight the end of May.
Damn, wish I’d read this a bit sooner! Taking a 9-hour flight next week
Hi there, good questions. Personally I wouldn’t use the pillows for anything other than for your feet as they are a bit sturdy, if you know what I mean. Don’t think they would be very comfortable under your head. But you could use the small one under your arm on the rest. Re getting it back in the bag. It’s not like a tent or a sleeping bag (which always test the best of us), It’s made from a lightweight material which allows you to easily shove it back inside the bag it comes in.
Thanks for telling us about this. I see it comes with 2 pillows for your feet, would you recommend buying a second of the pillows to use on the arm rest or as a head pillow? And how easy is it to fold back up & place into the bag, especially while your squished n economy class? Is it one of those situations that it starts out nice & small in the packet and as soon as you take it out it never quite fits back in the bag the same way & you need to buy a new bag to accommodate it.