Airplane foot hammocks are one of those products that sound ridiculous until you try one. They’re small fabric slings that hang from your tray table and elevate your feet just enough to take the pressure off your lower back, improve circulation, and prevent the swollen feet and ankles that come with sitting in a tiny seat for hours. I started using one a few years ago, and now I try not to fly without it.
There’s also a second option worth knowing about: inflatable footrest pillows. These are small ottomans you blow up and wedge between seats, essentially turning a coach seat into something closer to lie-flat for kids (and a decent footrest for adults). They work differently and have their own pros and cons, so I’ve compared both types below.
Here are the best airplane foot hammocks and inflatable footrests, plus a breakdown of which type is right for you.
Best airplane foot hammocks and footrests at a glance
- Best Overall Foot Hammock: Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock — lightweight with an extra-long strap for taller travelers
- Most Portable Foot Hammock: Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest — tiny, weighs 1.4 oz, best for shorter travelers
- Best Premium Foot Hammock: Everlasting Comfort Airplane Foot Hammock — dual foot areas with memory foam and reinforced ribs
- Best for Kids (Inflatable): Travel Bread Travel Foot Rest Pillow — three height levels, lets kids lie flat
- Best Inflatable Footrest: Flypal Inflatable Foot Rest — two-cushion system with adjustable heights
- Most Unique Design: Fly LegsUp — bag-style hammock with built-in pillows
A heads up: not all airlines allow these
Before you buy or fly, check your airline’s policy. This is something most other roundups skip, but it matters. Some major airlines have started banning foot hammocks and inflatable footrests in recent years, citing safety concerns during evacuations and disruption to other passengers.
Airlines that ban or restrict foot hammocks and/or inflatable footrests:
- Delta officially banned foot hammocks, inflatable wedges, and seat extension devices in January 2026. This is the most specific ban of any US carrier.
- United has stated that footrests are considered “an alteration to the seat” and are prohibited.
- Emirates does not allow any leg rests or seat extension devices unless certified by the UAE aviation authority (none currently are).
- Qantas and British Airways ban foot hammocks, though BA now allows specific inflatable brands like PlanePal and Flyaway for children.
- Turkish Airlines does not allow any inflatable devices.
- American Airlines does not have a clear published ban, but enforcement varies by crew.
Airlines that generally allow them: Air Canada, ANA (inflatables only, not hammock-type), Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic (specific brands only).
The bottom line: if you’re flying Delta or United domestically, you may be asked to put your foot hammock away. For international carriers, check before you pack. Even on airlines that allow them, it’s ultimately at the flight crew’s discretion. A window seat is your safest bet since you won’t need to take it down every time someone in your row needs to get out.
Airplane foot hammock or inflatable pillow: which should you get?
Both do the same basic job (elevate your feet), but they work differently. Here’s how they compare.
Airplane foot hammocks
Pros
- Folds down smaller than the inflatable pillow for easy packing
- Lighter weight (most are under 3 oz)
- Adjustable straps let you dial in the height for your body
- Newer models with bamboo or hardboard bases keep feet flat and separated
Cons
- Hangs off the tray table, which may affect the passenger in front of you
- Sling may shift or slide up your leg if you move around a lot
- Banned on more airlines than inflatable models
Inflatable footrest pillow
Pros
- Kids can lay flat on them and actually sleep
- More stable than the hammock since they sit on the floor
- More versatile for use outside of aircraft (trains, cars, hotels, offices)
- Several come with bonus accessories like eye masks and earplugs
Cons
- Heavier and bulkier to pack
- Some models may be too large to fit between seats when fully inflated
- You’re that person blowing up an ottoman on the airplane (or you can hold it up to the air vent and let the AC do the work)
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Our picks for the best airplane foot hammocks
Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock
This is the foot hammock I’d recommend to most people. It has a large surface area for your feet, and more importantly, it comes with an extra-long adjustable strap that makes it work for taller travelers, not just short flyers. It’s also one of the lightest options at just 2.4 oz.
Item details
- Comes with a travel bag
- Dimensions: 34″ x 18″ x 9″
- Weight: 2.4 oz
Sleepy Ride Airplane Footrest
This is one of the original airplane foot hammocks, and it’s still popular for good reason. It’s designed to hold your ankles and low calves rather than your full feet, which means it’s smaller and lighter than almost anything else on the market. The tradeoff: the strap runs short, so it’s best for people 5’8″ and under.
Item details
- Comes with a drawstring carry bag and packs down small
- Recommended for those 5′ 8″ or shorter
- Dimensions: 20″ x 7.5″ x 0.5″
- Weight: 1.44 oz
Everlasting Comfort Airplane Foot Hammock
This is the premium option. It features dual foot rest areas (one for each foot, so no ankle clashing), memory foam padding, and reinforced ribs along the bottom for long-term rigidity. The straps are adjustable from 23″ to 32″ and it works with the tray table both up and down. Everlasting Comfort also offers a lifetime replacement policy, which is unusual for a $20 travel accessory. It’s heavier than the minimalist options but noticeably more comfortable on longer flights.
Item details
- Dual foot areas with memory foam
- Adjustable straps: 23″ to 32″
- Dimensions: 10″ x 12″ (hammock area)
- Lifetime replacement policy
Fareeceek Foot Rest Airplane Footrest / Foot Hammock
A solid mid-range option with a large surface area that’s sturdy enough to plant your feet on or adjust to hold your ankles, calves, or behind the knee. Good flexibility for finding the position that works for you.
Item details
- Comes with a travel bag
- Dimensions: 17.9″ x 8.4″
- Strap length: 17″ min, 33.4″ max
- Folded dimensions: 8″ x 8″ x 2″
- Weight: 3 oz
Fly LegsUp
This one is different from everything else on this list. It’s essentially a bag that hangs from the tray table that you put your feet into. You can also pull out its “tail” and sit on it, creating a connection from your seat to the seat back in front of you, which is great for small kids. Fly LegsUp also offers a “My Flight Hammock Guarantee”: if you can’t use it on your flight for any reason, you can return it for a refund.
Worth noting: Fly LegsUp maintains a list of airlines that allow their product on their website. Check it before you fly.
Item details
- Comes with three small pillows for even more flexibility in where you choose to use the support
- Weight: 17.6 oz
- Refund guarantee if your airline won’t allow it
Travel Bread Airplane Footrest Hammock
This one hangs from your headrest all the way to your tray table, and you sit on top of it. Different concept from the foot slings: instead of elevating your feet, it creates a more supportive seat surface. One benefit is avoiding direct contact with the airplane seat. The updated design no longer blocks the in-flight entertainment for the person behind you, which was a problem with the earlier version.
Item details
- Comes with a small pillow to use as lumbar support, plus an eye mask, shoe covers, and a drawstring storage bag
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
Our picks for the best inflatable footrests for the airplane
Travel Bread Travel Foot Rest Pillow
Three adjustable height levels, each with its own air chamber and valve. This is the one I’d recommend for families with kids. Inflate all three chambers, and it creates a flat surface from the seat to the seat back in front, essentially turning coach into a mini bed for small children. The hand pump is a nice touch so you’re not huffing and puffing in your neighbor’s face.
Item details
- Comes with hand pump, bottom dust cover, drawstring carry bag, eye mask, earplugs, and shoe covers
- Inflated size: 11″ x 16″ x 18″
- Deflated size: 6″ x 4″ x 4″
- Length of the hand pump: 8.6″
- Weight: 1.1 lbs
Flypal Inflatable Foot Rest
Two separate cushions that adjust to three different heights. Depending on the space you have, use them separately or attach them together with a fastener on each side. The two-cushion design is more flexible than the single-chamber models since you can configure it for different seat pitches.
Item details
- Wide double seal air valves enable manual inflation in under 2 minutes
- Dimensions: 17″ x 11″ x 17″ (adjustable height)
- Weight: 1.63 lbs
Maxchange Travel Pillow
Three adjustable height levels with two valves and two chambers. Packs down smaller than the Flypal when deflated, which makes it a better option if carry-on space is tight.
Item details
- Deflated size: 8.5″ x 6″ x 2.5″, comes with drawstring carry bag
- Inflated dimensions: 17″ x 12″ x 18″ (adjustable height)
- Weight: 12.8 oz
Why your feet swell on airplanes (and how these help)
Long-haul travel is tough on the body. The change in air pressure at 30,000 feet affects blood flow and circulation, especially when you’re stuck in a cramped seat without much room to move. The result: swollen feet, stiff legs, sore lower back, and those lovely cankles that greet you when you finally stand up.
There are a few things you can do to help. Compression socks stimulate blood flow by gently squeezing your legs. Getting up and walking the aisle every hour or so helps too. But the simplest hack is just elevating your feet, which is exactly what these products do.
Airplane foot hammocks and inflatable footrests both help you sit more ergonomically by reducing the downward pressure on your lower legs. They improve blood circulation, ease strain on your lower back, and prevent that pins-and-needles numbness in your feet. They’re especially helpful for shorter people and kids whose feet don’t reach the floor, since dangling legs put extra gravitational pull on your lower body.
When you’re not traveling, foot hammocks also double as a desk hammock for the office. The inflatable pillows work anywhere you need an ottoman: trains, buses, hotel rooms, or under your desk at home.