19 Nov Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Airplane Pockets for Air Travel

After three years of no travel due to the pandemic, I have been making up for it over the past few months. I have been on numerous flights and while in many ways it is back to normal, one thing that has changed is that I am far more conscientious about cleanliness. When I board the plane, the first thing that I do is to take out my wet wipes and wipe town the tray table and armrests as I prepare for the trip. While the airlines clean the planes between use, many times the tray tables are not clean and the seatback pockets are uninviting. Sanitation is important and to make it easier, whenever I travel I use my Airplane Pockets, the Please The Palate pick of the week.

When I first board the plane and get to my seat, I take out everything I will need. I take out my laptop and the power cord; I pull out a notebook and pens; I have a water bottle, headphones, and my phone. I then try to shove everything into the single seat back pocket for take-off. On some planes, the pocket is too small for my laptop and other items. On other planes, the seatback pocket looks rather dirty and unsanitary and I hesitate to put my phone and other things inside.

While at the luggage store recently buying a new suitcase, I saw a stack of boxes at the register. The box said “Airline Pockets” and I thought it was gimmicky. But I was caught in a weak moment of spending money so I decided to try one out. And now I am hooked!

Arline Pockets are a patented design. Made from 100% polyester, the pockets are stretchy to fit any tray table. Airplane Pockets slip over the tray table, providing a clean, germ-free surface to eat and work on.

In addition to covering the tray table, Airline Pockets come with three expandable pockets. Instead of using the seatback pocket, everything I need fits in these three pockets. One pocket is large enough from my laptop and paperwork and then two smaller pockets hold my water bottles, phone, cords, or anything else.

Airline Pockets not only allow me to be more organized in my seat, but I also have more leg room. I can put my bags in the overhead bin and leave the space under the seat open for my legs.

Airplane Pockets are convenient as everything I need is in one place and everything is secure. I no longer worry about leaving something behind. When the plane lands, I simply slip the pocket off the tray table. If I do not have time to put everything back in my bags, I fold the Airplane Pockets with everything inside. I know that everything is secure and will not fall out.

When not in use, my Airline Pockets takes up little space in my bag and when I get home, I wash it and it is ready to use again. What I first thought was a gimmick is now a functional and useful part of my travel.