For first transatlantic flight I have now got my sleep mask, cabin cuddler blanket,neck pillow, no jet lag pills, sleeping/anxiety pill, and noise red headphones/iPod - what I am wondering is if you all find a foot rest necessary???
What is the consensus on this???
Thanks everyone!

It can be nice at times, but not necessary for me.

I am short..so I love them.

Depends on your height. When all else fails, use you carryon bag.

That is exactly what I end up doing Ellen

Depends on the airline, many have those metal ones that flip down from the back of the seat in front of you.

I certainly wouldn't carry an additional something just to put your feet on (but maybe use a small hard-cased type carry-on that fits under the seat, if you're concerned about this, like an old-fashioned cosmetic case).

I am 4'-10" tall, so a transatlantic flight without something to rest my feet on is very uncomfortable - however, I do just fine by using my carry-on.

Thanks everyone - I will opt to use a carry on or small bag if need be - I am tall but if after a while a can't cross my legs I need to elevate them just a bit - so I will use the case idea - I just didn't know if like the pillows that are "gimicky" that they would wind up being a "must have" like those - but I guess I can save my money for other things!

Well for a long flight I do carry a foot rest -
it is collapsible - and about 9" x 4" and not even an inch thick -

I prefer it to using my carry on - I don't want my shoes all over my bag, I don't want to crush things in my carry on, but mine is a soft leather bag - and I like to be able to get something out of it if I want to - I like this because it is even height and sometimes the bag is just not as level or comfortable for me - I have back issues and having my feet raised for part of the time makes a huge difference on my back/hips remaining comfortable- the rest of my trip it stays in the outside pocket of my luggage.

Yup - I'm one of the "vertically challenged" and a foot rest really makes long flights much easier!

I am tall and flew on a plane in December with foot rests and hated them. I couldn't understand why why they would take away more of my legroom.
After reading these posts I can see the other side of things.

Could you find out ahead of time if your plane is the type with the built in foot rests? (Before toting anything extra along)

Like from the airlines or at seatguru or somewhere?

Well, I'm curious. We've flown across the pond almost more times than I can count. When we've flown coach, we've never encountered a flight that had built-in leg rests. What airline(s) have them in coach?

Foot rests are not necessary but when I do have them, I love it.

dfr4848 - Not an expert on this, but there are in coach footrests on the AF 773ER I took 2 years ago.

And can someone post a link to a folding portable foot rest -- I love the idea.

dmlove, the link is too long, but mine is from
TravelSmith

www.travelsmithcom

if you go to their website and type in @ product search

folding foot rest, mine comes up

That looks great - thank you!

Another vertically challenged flyer, who loves the foot rests. However, when they are folded up, unless you know to check for them, you hardly know they're there. When I need, I fold it down (one touch of the foot), when I want to stretch out the legs, just fold it up. Rather have then not and choose if/when to use.

I think the reason most airlines don't install them even on longhaul planes is that they add weight. Over the lifetime of the aircraft, that can mean a lot of extra fuel burned. With oil prices this high, that's a significant cost of running an airline.