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For many travelers, sleeping while seated upright is a huge challenge, making long-haul flights an exhausting experience for those in economy-class seats.

 

Passengers often go to great lengths to get some inflight Zs, whether they’re buying pricey neck pillows and “foot hammocks,” or contorting themselves into awkward positions.

 

Most of the time these efforts — futile as they may be — are completely harmless. However one so-called flying hack making the rounds on TikTok and Instagram in recent months has experts alarmed.

 

In the videos, which have racked up millions of views over the last year or so, passengers can be seen pulling their knees up to their chest and placing their feet at the edge of their seats. Then, they secure their seatbelts around their ankles to prevent their feet from slipping off the seat, allowing them to rest their heads on their knees.