New gadget hopes to free up more legroom for airplane passengers

Each time you pull down the tray table on your airline seat, you might as well be padlocking your body into total immobilization. In a window seat, it gets even worse, as getting out to stretch your legs or use the bathroom involves a complex and uncomfortable reorganization for you and your neighbors, especially if your neighbor has actually managed to fall asleep.

Craig Rabin hopes to make fliers a little more comfortable with an invention called the Air Hook, which he is currently raising money for via Kickstarter. Although it looks like little more than a glorified cup holder, it does show a lot of promise for those who only use their tray tables for drinks and tablets (if you're using a laptop or planning on eating the plane food — which you should really consider skipping — then this little guy won't really help you).

Simply attach the gizmo to the back of your tray table when in its locked, upright position, and the Airhook is ready to go. Although the bulk of the 3D-printed Airhook goes toward the cup holder, its most important feature may be the slot at the top, which holds tablets and phones up to 7.5 inches tall, further securing them via an attached bungee cable that hooks to the top.

The angle of both are adjustable by knob on the side, which is particularly handy when the person in front reclines. The end result appears to be a significant increase in the amount of space in front of you, plus a “better viewing posture” as the Airhook raises your tablet screen to eye level.

The simple idea of the Air Hook appears to have hooked plenty of backers as well, achieving its original goal of $15,000 in about 73 hours, and now far surpassing it with more than 3 weeks to go. If it lives up to all its promises, it seems like it might be worth $20, at least if you prefer the window seat.