A so-called "in-flight sleep challenge," in which people curl up and sleep in cramped economy seats on planes, has been spreading on social media recently, but experts are warning that it is a dangerous act that can be life-threatening.
According to foreign media including Fox News on the 26th local time, TikTok and other platforms are filling up with videos showing people pulling their knees to their chest on the seat and wrapping and fixing their legs with the seat belt to sleep. Users claim, "It gives the effect of a deep sleep, like curling up in bed, even in a narrow seat," but medical staff and aviation experts strongly condemned it.
Experts note that this posture drastically raises the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the so-called "economy class syndrome." Psychiatrist Carol Lieberman said, "It is a very dangerous act of creating the easiest environment for blood clots to form," and warned, "If a clot in the leg travels through the blood vessels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism that can lead to sudden death."
The possibility of legal penalties is also high. Sara Nelson, head of the U.S. flight attendants union, said, "It is a mandatory rule that seat belts must be worn low across the pelvis," and emphasized, "If you refuse crew instructions and use the belt in an abnormal way, you could face a fine of up to $35,000 (about 50 million won)."
According to in-flight health guidelines, on long-haul flights it is essential to help blood flow by getting up to walk every hour or doing foot-sole exercises while seated. The CDC also recommends drinking plenty of water instead, as alcohol causes dehydration and induces deep sleep, which can keep you immobile for long periods.
In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasized that in unexpected turbulence a seat belt is the only device that protects passengers. An abnormal posture that hugs the knees should be strictly avoided, as it can lead to joint fractures or serious spinal injuries during turbulence impacts.