Travel advisor Betty Villani was at a trade show in 2022 when she discovered Go-Be Sleeves, covers for airplane tray tables, being displayed by Barbara Booth, the product’s developer.
Villani, a co-owner with her husband, Frank Villani, of Exclusive Global Travel in Alta Loma, Calif., was quickly taken by the product, which Booth markets as a way for flyers to protect themselves from germy tray table surfaces. She placed a sizeable order of the sleeves, customized with Exclusive Global Travel’s name and phone number, to use as gifts for clients.
Two years later, fears about Covid have faded, but Villani said the Go-Be covers, which come in a variety of colorful designs, remain a hit with her clients. And she still uses one every time she flies.
“Having the sleeve to put on that tray gives you confidence that you’re going to have a sanitary surface on which to eat or put your books on,” she said. “It gives you confidence that you’re going to have at least a few less germs.”
Go-Be is just one of many products on the market that are designed to make the flying experience more comfortable, safe or fun, especially in economy class.
A similar product, called Airplane Pockets, also covers the tray table and contains storage pockets designed to hold items such as laptops, tablets, magazines, glasses and water bottles.
Meanwhile, merchants are selling everything from airplane footrests to shelves that attach to the window shade track and wireless Bluetooth adapters, which are designed to pair with in-flight entertainment systems. And that’s not to mention the ubiquitous carry-on headrests that are familiar to flyers.
The spAIRtray fits into the window slats on most commercial aircraft. Photo Credit: Will Robertson
Some in-flight comfort products have the potential to be controversial. For example, a decade ago, several airlines banned a product called Knee Defender, which prevents the person in the seat in front of its user from reclining, after it caused a fight on a United Airlines flight.
But for the most part, carriers are agnostic to such products, as is the FAA.
“We don’t have specific guidelines regarding these products you mention, other than that they, like all carry-on baggage, must be stowed during takeoff, taxi and landing and that customers adhere to all crew member instructions,” a Southwest spokesman said.
Places for drinks and feet
Andy Bernadett, the inventor of the spAIRtray, came up with the window shade shelf in 2015 because of challenges he was having working on a computer while also keeping a beverage on a tray table on Southwest, typically his airline of choice. Reaching underneath the tray table to grab an item from his carry-on bag was another persistent nuisance.
The product is specifically for flyers with a window seat, but otherwise, using it is a snap. The shelf, produced by a company called Sonic Technology Products, travels flat but opens so that its back slides into the window shade slats.
A sticky, rubber pad on the spAIRtray’s surface prevents items from sliding off. Bernadett said he uses the 12-by-4-inch shelf mostly for drinks, glasses and his cellphone.
“Flight attendants might be our best customers,” he said. “Usually, they are fawning over the concept and love it.”
A competing product, called Bevledge, also slides into window slats, but it is fitted with drink and cellphone holders.
The BasicConcepts Foot Hammock is one of several available footrest products that attach to the seatback tray table. Photo Credit: BasicConcepts
Several companies are also selling footrest products that hang from the tray table. Amazon’s best seller in the category is the Foot Hammock sold by Jacksonville, Fla.-based BasicConcepts, which features adjustable straps and memory foam.
Company CEO Shane Campbell said that the footrest fits neatly into the elbow of a tray table and can be used with the table either up or down without impacting the seat ahead.
“The main benefit is comfort,” he said. “Putting your feet up on anything you are also alleviating pressure in your lower back.”
Go-Be founder Booth said that in addition to reducing germ exposure, her tray table covers offer passengers a bit of homeyness while in flight. The covers are made from an ecofriendly fiber and come in a variety of colors and patterns, including designs geared toward children.
“Having these tray covers put a little bit more joy into your journey,” Booth said.
