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What That Hook by Your Airplane Tray Table Is For


Sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you but go unnoticed. Take, as today’s example, the little hook on airplane seats. During a recent flight, my seat neighbor took off her cardigan and hung it on a hook. My mind was blown and I felt silly for not realizing this hook existed.

There I was, sitting on my own cardigan like some kind of caveman. So I copied her and sheepishly admitted to not realizing this was a thing. “I know,” she said, “Cool, huh? That’s what that’s for.” Apparently, I wasn’t the only one surprised by this.

The hook is located right by the tray table on the seat in front of you. Of course, its utility isn’t limited to your cardigans and jackets. You could hang your headphones, chargers, hair ties, and whatever else works. It’s super convenient for clothing that you don’t want to get wrinkled, though.

Not all planes will have them, but both my United twinjet flights did. It’s one of those things I’ve never really noticed, but now I’ll probably look for them on every flight (and also complain when they’re not present, naturally).