This Phone Holder Saved Me on a 17-hour Flight

A 17-hour flight is brutal enough, but nothing prepares you for the dreaded announcement that the entertainment screens aren’t working. I recently experienced this on a flight from Los Angeles to Sydney. Sure, I had my phone with me to connect to the flight app, but between the bones needed to charge it and the general discomfort of long-haul travel in economy, holding my device for hours on end and craning my neck in an even more awkward position just wasn’t possible. While most of us on the plane were in the same unpredictable situation, a nearby passenger didn’t seem to share our distress thanks to a compact gadget that raised his phone to the perfect viewing height.

The magnetic phone holder was so simple yet so smart. Attached to their tray table, they sit and relax (as much as one can in economy), watching movies and TV hands-free. Even during the upheavals, his phone stayed perfectly in place. After that flight, it was the first thing I did when I landed and it was ordered. To my surprise, it was only $10 – and possibly the best $10 I’ve ever spent.

Yegreen airplane phone holder

I’ve since used the phone holder on three flights, and even had fellow passengers stop by to ask about it. In addition to saving lives when in-flight entertainment fails, it’s equally useful on short domestic routes where there is no seatback screen at all. It attaches easily to your tray table (or any surface under an inch thick), and thanks to its anti-slip silicone grip, stays put no matter how rough the ride.

Another plus is how small and portable it is. Even with its 360-degree rotation, the accessory weighs just 4 ounces and measures 3.34 by 1.65 inches (for comparison, the smallest iPhone 17 weighs 6.24 ounces and measures 1.81 inches). The last thing you want is to pack an unnecessary gadget that takes up valuable carry-on space (even I had second thoughts), but is compact enough to fit comfortably in your pocket.

Yegreen airplane phone holder

I’ve also come to love and appreciate how versatile it is outside of the plane. Before my flight out of LAX, I was trying to repack my bag, and I spilled my drink, while my mom was trying to time me. I pulled out the holder and strapped it to the handle of my roller bag, allowing me to take calls hands-free while reorganizing my things (and myself). Many reviewers share the same sentiment, using it in their kitchens, offices, and everywhere in between. It’s just one of those accessories that solves a problem you didn’t even realize until you tried it.

This particular model uses MagSafe technology, making it compatible with Apple cell phones, including the latest iPhone 17. For Android users (or anyone who wants to use it with gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch or iPad), inexpensive MagSafe rings like these can be added to the back of your device for compatibility. Alternatively, a clamp-style version offers similar experiences for non-mag safe items.

Yegreen airplane phone holder

However you use it, this little trip proves that sometimes the little gadgets make the biggest difference at 35,000 feet. Shop more Amazon essentials that will make short-haul and long-haul flights more comfortable than ever.

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