Videos on TikTok have garnered millions of views of travelers bending their knees towards their chests, placing their feet on the edges of their seats, and fastening seatbelts around their ankles. These clips have flooded the platform, especially featuring travelers who claim that wearing seatbelts around their feet instead of correctly across their waists is much more comfortable.
In contrast, experts have warned against this new trend, stating that it could put travelers at risk and increase the likelihood of severe cramps. They emphasized that wearing a seatbelt incorrectly means you may have less mobility in an emergency. Additionally, there's a risk of falling from your seat during severe turbulence, which is becoming an increasingly common danger, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Sarah Nelson, president of the flight attendants' association, stated in a statement that "the seatbelt is designed to be low and snug across your lap." She added, "This is not just for your safety; if the seatbelt is not fastened correctly, you might injure someone else when experiencing turbulence."
