Qantas introduces change to economy class

As leg space becomes smaller and the room for movement decreases on flights, it’s wonderful to hear that there are small but hopefully significant changes being made to ensure flights become as comfortable as possible.

Qantas recently revealed their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and as impressive as the entertainment facilities may be, there is one added extra that will have passengers feeling as comfortable as ever. 

If you’ve ever had to worry about poor circulation, swollen legs or deep vein thrombosis, then you’ll be happy to know that Qantas have reintroduced a supported foot rest onto this aircraft.

Read more: Qantas makes history with biofuel-operated flight

The eight Dreamliners will be used on long-haul routes including the 17-hour flight from Perth to London.

The new design is the brainchild of Qantas designer David Caon, but the idea is not entirely original.

The foot hammock was first conceptualised by Thompson Aero Seating and was debuted in 2008 on the Airbus A380, but wasn’t rolled out into other Dreamliners because, according to Caon, it had “a limited range of motion” and “in the end it doesn’t fully support your feet.”

Read more: How to stop legs from swelling on a long flight

The new foot rest is intended to be the final element of a system that supports the body from head to toe. But it can only be used when the seat is in an upright position, not reclined.

If your next flight isn’t on one of Qantas’ Dreamliners, then there are ways to keep your feet supported without one of these fancy foot hammocks. A couple of ideas include:

• Use your carry-on luggage as a foot rest
• Tie your blanket to the seat area in front of you and create your own makeshift foot hammock
• Take more time to walk around the cabin to stretch your legs

Do you have any tips for staying comfortable on a long flight? Let us know in the comments section below.