Another day, another viral TikTok travel trend is taking over our FYP. This time it involves an item you wouldn’t normally pack with you on a plane: a pillowcase. TikTok creators are sharing their experiences using the #airportpillowhack and how it saves them paying for excess carry on luggage. 

What exactly does the trend involve you ask? It’s simple. Fill a pillowcase with soft clothing items (think jumpers, track pants, t-shirts) that are tucked or folded within each other to create a soft structure, similar to that of an actual pillow. Once you’ve stuffed the pillow case with your clothes, carry it through airport check-in as if it were the pillow you were taking on the plane, which counts as a personal item, not a carry-on item. 

@lanadoma Send it to friends who needs to try it 🛫💸 #airporthack #pillowhack #airportstyle #savemoney #savemoneytips #airporttips #traveling #travellinghack #travelinghacks #airportfashion #missionimpossible #missionaccomplished #airportpillowhack ♬ Mission Impossible (Main Theme) – Favorite Movie Songs

So if you hate having to pay for checked-in luggage and only want to travel with a carry-on bag, this will help free up a lot of room in your carry-on suitcase. While the idea is clever, many have commented on the TikTok video sharing their opinion about how said item should be stored on the plane. 

@arina.bloom I approve this message #airportpillowhack ♬ original sound – Arina Bloom

In Ariana Bloom’s video, she stowed the pillowcase filled with clothes in overhead storage, which many deemed unfair as it means one person is taking up two spots in the limited space provided in the storage space per passenger.

One user stated, “Was with you until the overhead. Taking up space from someone else’s carry on is just selfish. At least keep it with you”.  Another said, “Kinda unfair if you actually don’t use it as a pillow”. 

Related story: Turns out we’ve all been using travel pillows the wrong way