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Passenger divides social media after using makeshift foot hammock to sleep during a flight

A PASSENGER has divided the internet after creating a makeshift hammock for her feet during a flight.

The woman was caught fast asleep by the emergency exit on the plane thanks to the ingenious device.

 A woman was caught using a blanket as a foot hammock during a flight
A woman was caught using a blanket as a foot hammock during a flightCredit: Instagram/passengershaming

The image was posted on PassengerShaming.com’s Facebook page.

In the photo, the woman appears to be using an airline-issued blanket to create a leg sling that’s hanging from a handle on the side of the plane.

The hanging sling is holding her legs straight, creating the ideal conditions for a comfortable sleep.

Many people on the PassengerShaming.com Facebook page praised the woman for her ingenuity and for being a fresh change from the usually bad-behaved flyers who are shamed on the site.

One person wrote: "Brilliant! That’s thinking outside of the box."

Another said: "I have to commend her. It prevents blood clots and promotes circulation in lower extremities."

 Social media users were conflicted
Social media users were conflicted

Some agreed: "And looks comfy cozy without being intrusive."

One person added: "Woman is brilliant and considerate.

"Her feet aren’t exposed and the hammock can’t rattle around during turbulence. She probably paid the premium to get that front row too."

But others said the woman would be in trouble for obstructing access to the emergency exit and creating a potentially dangerous situation.

Someone wrote: "In front of the exit row door. Endangering hundreds of lives. Genius indeed."

Another person said: "Would not be permitted on our airline as it is attached to aircraft fittings.

"Not a good idea for an evacuation — chances are good things would happen very fast and there would not be enough advance notice to get the sling taken down. It poses a hazard being right next to an emergency exit."

One person tried it for themselves, explaining: "Flight attendants were not impressed nor amused."

Disgusting plane passenger who used his bare feet to swipe through the in-flight entertainment will leave you wanting to wipe down everything

Others maintained it was worth the risk.

Someone wrote: "Honestly, I think it's brilliant and no, that’s not a handle to operate the exit door as some people have speculated, and no, if there was an emergency, I’m pretty sure she would wake up the same as every other person on that aircraft and comply with FA instructions (unless there are some over achievers in our midst who pack parachutes for those mid air evacuations). She is winning in my book!"

You should check with the airline if you want to try it for yourself next time you flight, however.

Many airlines’ conditions of carriage prohibit items that obstruct passengers’ access to aisles, and they reserve the right to remove or restrain passengers who endanger the safety of the aircraft, property or other people on board.

It is hardly the first time passengers have tried to sleep in strange positions on a plane.

One man was caught sleeping underneath his seat in the cabin while fast asleep.

Another couple were spotted sleeping on the floor, while the man slept across a row of seats.

This article was originally published by news.com.au and has been reproduced with permission.