Flight attendant explains why pillow case travel hack is allowed despite travel ban threat

A viral TikTok travel hack involving pillowcases has been praised by a flight attendant. But it comes as one man was left banned from his flight for following it.

Trying to get to your holiday destination of choice without paying for hold luggage is something the majority of us try to do when packing for the big trip overseas.

Unfortunately you might find yourself having to cough up for the extra charge of the big suitcase, especially if there's a couple of you and you're going for a week or two.

But as with anything that costs money, TikTok is here to offer its best hack for those flying on a budget which - let's face it - is a lot of us as the cost of living crisis continues to impact us in seemingly hidden ways.

The hack in question is the airport pillowcase hack, which involves getting somewhat creative.

The tip sees those flying cram their clothes in to a pillowcase and neck pillows in order to get around the extra bag fee. Going by the videos we've seen online, a pillow is considered a 'comfort item' by airports and means you wouldn't have to pay the fee for an extra bag.

But it's now getting people in to trouble, with one jet-setter seen rowing in a TikTok video with airport security after trying to board a flight at Orlando International Airport with a pillowcase full of clothes.

"Stop letting social media give you tips and tricks because sometimes it's not gonna work," a woman said sharing the clip, while filming another passenger arguing with airport staff.

"This dude was trying to take in a pillowcase full of clothing and other items which he is stating was simply just a pillowcase and the dude was was like bro, everybody can see it's not a freaking pillow, like come on. They gave him the chance to pay for it, he went all the way up until they closed the doors to be like okay, I'll pay for it now, and then he tried to like bogart his way into the freaking, into the plane."

The police were eventually called according to the eye-witness after the man with the pillowcase refused to pay up.

But according to one flight attendant, the hack is very much allowed.

Arina Bloom worked as cabin crew for two years. Speaking to Business Insider, she fully supported the pillowcase hack.

Arina said: "You are allowed to bring a pillow on a plane and, as long as there's nothing prohibited inside, it's totally okay."

Travel and packing expert Lydia Mansel, who founded Just Packed, also supports the hack. She said: "Packing clothes in a pillowcase can definitely be an effective way to keep your bag under the weight limit.

"No one wants to pay those extra fees, after all."

There is clearly a risk in doing the hack but it seems that a lot of that comes down to how authoritative staff are feeling on the day you travel.

Ultimately do what you feel comfortable with but also accept the consequences if it goes south.