Travel advisor Betty Villani attended the 2022 trade show and spotted Goby Sleeve, a cover for airplane tray tables, on display by product developer Barbara Booth.
Ms. Villani, who co-owns Exclusive Global Travel in Alta Loma, Calif., with her husband, Frank Villani, said the product, which Booth sells, is a way for flyers to protect themselves from dirty tray table surfaces. I was immediately fascinated. She ordered a large number of sleeves customized with Exclusive Global Travel's name and phone number to use as gifts for clients.
Two years later, concerns about the coronavirus have waned, but Villani said Goby's covers, which come in a variety of colorful designs, remain popular among customers. And she still uses it every time she flies.
“Putting a sleeve on the tray gives them confidence that they have a hygienic surface to put their food or books on,” she said. “It gives you confidence that at least the bacteria will be reduced a little bit.”
Go-Be is just one of many products on the market specifically designed to make the experience of flying in economy class more comfortable, safe, or enjoyable.
A similar product called Airplane Pockets also covers the tray table and includes storage pockets designed to hold items such as laptops, tablets, magazines, glasses, and water bottles.
Meanwhile, vendors sell everything from airplane footrests to shelves that attach to window shade trucks to wireless Bluetooth adapters designed to pair with in-flight entertainment systems. And that goes without saying: the ubiquitous carry-on headrest you see on flyers.
The spAIRtray fits into most commercial aircraft window slats.Photo by Will Robertson
Some in-flight comfort products can be controversial. For example, a decade ago, several airlines banned a product called a “knee defender,” which prevents the person sitting in the front seat from reclining, after it caused a scuffle on a United Airlines flight.
But, like the FAA, in most cases airlines are not concerned with such products.
A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines said, “These products you mention, like all carry-on baggage, must be stowed during takeoff, taxi, and landing, and customers must follow crew instructions.'' There are no specific guidelines other than that there are.” .
Drinks and places to go
SpAIRtray inventor Andy Bernadett came up with the blind shelf in 2015 because he was challenged with working on his computer while placing drinks on a tray table, usually on his airline of choice, Southwest. . Reaching under the tray table to remove items from my carry-on bag was also a persistent nuisance.
This product is only for window seat flyers, but is easy to use otherwise. Manufactured by a company called Sonic Technology Products, this shelf travels flat, but when opened, the back slides into the slats of a window shade.
The SpAIRtray has a sticky rubber pad on its surface to prevent items from sliding around. Bernadette said she primarily uses the 12-by-4-inch shelves for drinks, glasses and cell phones.
“Flight attendants may be our best customers,” he said. “Usually they're flattered by the concept and love it.”
A competing product called Bevledge also slides into window slats, but has a drink holder and a cell phone holder attached.
The BasicConcepts Foot Hammock is one of several footrest products that attach to seatback tray tables. Photo courtesy: BasicConcepts
Several companies also sell footrest products that hang from tray tables. Amazon's bestseller in this category is the Foot His Hammock, sold by Jacksonville, Florida-based Basic Concepts, which features adjustable straps and memory foam.
The company's CEO, Shane Campbell, said the footrest fits snugly into the elbow of the tray table and can be used either up or down without affecting the seats in front of it.
“The main benefit is comfort,” he said. “Putting your feet on something also reduces pressure on your lower back.”
Go-Be founder Booth said that in addition to reducing exposure to germs, her tray table covers provide passengers with a bit of a homely feel during flights. The covers are made from eco-friendly fibers and come in a variety of colors and patterns, including designs for children.
“These tray covers make traveling a little more fun,” Booth said.
