The 3 Best Airplane Footrests of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

As a travel writer and frequent flyer, I pack with precision—every item in my carry-on has to earn its keep. I was skeptical about adding an airplane footrest to the mix, but testing a few out on a recent overnight flight from New York City to Paris quickly changed my mind. My favorites kept my feet elevated, were a breeze to set up, and packed down into small carrying cases that I could attach to my personal item. 

As a 5-foot-two-inch tall traveler flying in cramped economy seats, I tried out inflatable models, hammocks, folding stools, and convertible options, and was pleasantly surprised by how many of them drastically reduced tension in my feet and legs over the course of the 7-hour flight—and shocked by how many didn’t fit between the seats at all. In order to pick the best ones for your own travels, read on for my reviews of each style to decide which might be right for you. Considering their ultra-affordable price points, you may even want to try out more than one. 

Credit: Amazon

Why We Love It

• This soft, durable footrest can be inflated to three different heights, making it a versatile accessory to improve your comfort on planes, in airports, and at home.

Since trying out this inflatable footrest on my recent trip to France, it’s earned a permanent spot in my travel arsenal. It’s designed with two valves, which allow you to inflate it to different heights. I found that inflating only the smaller section on the bottom was ideal for in-flight comfort, as it allowed me to slip my feet between the pillow and the seat in front of me without feeling cramped. It took a bit of finagling to figure out which valve inflated which half of the pillow at first, so I ended up marking the bottom half with a sticker to differentiate them. 

The larger section can be inflated on its own, making it a double-height cushion that fits well in an exit row or a seat with more leg room; this height would be great for travelers who prefer to recline their seat and sit with their knees elevated. When both valves are inflated, the pillow’s height is similar to that of the seat itself, which makes it a comfortable traveling bed for small children. 

I found this model very easy to inflate; it took about 90 seconds to inflate both valves, and the air never leaked out (but it’s a good idea to take your time in order to avoid any lightheadedness.)  I love that it packs down into a compact carrying case, and can be used in a variety of situations: think long layovers, train rides, or even as an under-desk footrest. 

For anyone curious to know whether or not an airplane footrest could work for them, I can’t recommend this one enough. It remarkably reduced pain and fatigue in my legs both during and after my overnight flight. 

The Details: 7 x 4 x 2 inches packed, 17.7 x 15 x 9 inches fully inflated | PVC

Credit: Amazon

This pick from Everlasting Comfort lived up to its name—of all the hammock designs I tried, I liked this one the best. I found the memory foam base to be plush and supportive, and loved that the soft, velvety fabric felt nice enough to use barefoot (although I always wear socks or slippers on planes to avoid unnecessary germ exposure). 

Designed to suit travelers 6 feet and under, this hammock loops over the tray table in front of you and hangs down to cradle your feet a few inches above the floor. At home, it also works as a leg rest, as you can adjust the height to support your calves when you have more room to spread out. What sets this model apart is the separate wells for your feet, which felt more comfortable than sling designs where my feet both slid towards the center. 

While the base felt durable and stable, it did cause a bit of tension on the seat in front of me; even the slightest movement on my end tugged on the seatback slightly, so I’d prefer to use this when the seat in front of me is empty, or when I’m settling in to fall asleep in order to minimize potential movement. 

The Details: 12 x 6.2 inches packed, 12 x 10 x 32 inches extended | Memory foam, fabric

Credit: Amazon

Unsure if you prefer a hammock design or a cushioned pillow? This convertible model provides the best of both worlds, as it’s a breeze to inflate the foot pad or to hang it from the tray table in front of you for quick and versatile comfort. 

I appreciated how stable the product felt in both modes; as a pillow, it remained inflated throughout the flight thanks to a double-valve system that minimizes air leakage. The hammock straps are notably thick and durable, and easily withstood several adjustments that I made while switching between modes and getting comfortable. The backpack-style straps also stayed firmly in place once I set them to the right height; I have short legs and found this model was helpful for supporting my feet, but longer-legged travelers will likely feel cramped in hammock mode since the thickly cushioned base takes up a lot of space. Ultimately, this is a great option for the price, versatility, and quality of the materials, even if it’s a bit tricky to use in cramped conditions. I’d recommend it for travelers with more leg room, or for use at home, on trains, or at the office.

The Details: 13 x 5.5 packed, 17 x 11 x 6 inches inflated | PVC

Our Testing Process

I put four airplane footrests to the test, paying close attention to their ease of setup, ease of use, comfort, portability, durability, and overall value. I brought two different models along on a flight from New York to France in order to see how they performed over several hours, and whether or not they actually impacted my general comfort. I tested every mode of use for each model, inflating them to various degrees and adjusting the hammock-style options to see what height offered the most comfort and support. 

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I’ll continue to test these products over the course of six months in order to see how they hold up over time and repeated use.   

Tips for Buying Airplane Footrests

Prioritize comfort and portability

When choosing an airplane footrest, focus on portability, comfort, and ease of use. The best options are compact enough to slip into your personal item without taking up valuable packing space, and many come with their own carrying case. Look for a design that’s cushioned and made from soft materials to maximize your comfort. 

Consider ease of set up 

Look for a practical, travel-friendly design that complies with airline guidelines and can be set up quickly and discreetly, without disturbing your fellow passengers. Hammock-style designs are straightforward and require minimal fuss; you simply hang them off the tray table in front of you. Inflatable designs must be inflated manually or with a pump; while the latter will take up additional space in your luggage, it’s worthwhile if you’re blowing up footrests for the whole family. A footrest that’s simple to assemble and considerate of those around you will make your in-flight experience, and everyone else’s, more enjoyable.

Check airline restrictions

For the most part, footrests are a no-no in exit rows, which must remain clear at all times. Restrictions may apply depending on where you’re seated. Certain seats with more leg room may not have a seat in front of them to hang a hammock-style footrest from, so selecting a convertible or inflatable option may be more practical. In general, it’s a good idea to check if your airline carrier has any guidance on their website beforehand, or you can always ask the flight crew during boarding. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do airplane footrests work?

  Airplane footrests are a simple yet game-changing accessory for long flights, offering extra comfort and improving circulation. By creating a hammock-like support or functioning as a plush pillow for your feet, they help reduce strain and make sitting for hours much more comfortable. 

  I always pack one in my personal item—it’s my secret weapon for upgrading any seat on a budget. They notably relieve tension and tiredness in my feet and legs, and the designs I’ve included here are all lightweight and compact enough for easy portability.

• Do airplane footrests make a difference on long-haul flights?

  Yes! I’ve found that the support and comfort that airplane footrests offer is a total game changer on long-haul flights. While leg room tends to be limited these days (particularly in economy), a bit of foot support is an easy, affordable way to add premium comfort to your in-flight experience. I prefer the inflatable designs, which offer plush, pillow-like support for my feet and ankles. Hammock-style footrests are great for relieving tired legs as well, but can be trickier to fit in tighter spaces. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure writer Sophie Dodd flies at least once a month, and has become obsessed with bringing her favorite airplane footrest (the Sunany Inflatable Foot Rest Pillow for Travel) along on her journeys to maximize her in-flight comfort. She tested four different footrests in our New York City office, and used the two top performers on a long-haul flight from New York City. to Paris. She thoroughly researched and examined each model on this list in order to speak to their comfort, practicality, performance, and overall quality. 

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