APEX EXPRESS

I used this device on a flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam. I read the instructions before the flight and practiced using it in a regular chair. But you really can’t figure out how to use this in a normal chair because you really need the seatbelt to hold you in place and the back of the chair must be high enough to support your head. Anyway, it was not easy to figure out how much air to put in it since you don’t inflate it completely. The guidelines they provide say 10-11 breaths, but are these 25-year-old, workout fan breaths or 55-year-old smoker breaths? At least once its inflated and behind you, the mechanism makes it easy to release air or add air. My biggest issue is that I think I may be too short for it to work for me. I’m 5’2″ and it seemed that my head was resting in the middle of the cushion, no matter how often I adjusted it. Also, my feet don’t comfortably reach the floor on most planes, so relying on the tension created by pushing against the floor to keep me in place doesn’t work. However, the 5’11″ Aussie guy in my row tried it and thought it was “interesting. ” He didn’t have all the instructions, so I’m not sure he used it properly. My husband will try it on our flight to Thailand and I will update this review if anything else needs to be said.
Rating: 3 / 5

I received this as a gift for Christmas and used it on the transatlantic flight back. The instructions were lost with the wrapping paper; having just looked them up online I think I would have had better results if I’d had them to reference.

I felt a bit self-conscious when I was inflating the sleeper and getting it set up- its quite large and economy seats are not very roomy, so it can be a bit awkward. (I’ve read other reviews that recommend having a window seat if you’re using it, otherwise you definitely do have to get up and out of your seat any time the person next to you wants out)

The first class sleeper was a dream on my back. I used it in conjunction with a G-Seat gel cushion seat (foldable, avail from Magellan’s) and the combination was fantastic- there was no pressure or stress put on my back during the 8 hour flight.

I’ve read other reviews (on Magellan’s) that complain of the lack of cushion on the tailbone, so coupling the product with a seat cushion is probably best for maximum comfort.

The only discomfort I had was that my neck kept getting stiff- but I think this was due to the sleeper being improperly inflated and the seat’s headrest not adjusted correctly.

Negatives:
-The sleeper is fairly bulky, even when folded down. Even so I had no problem fitting it in my carry-on (large purse) with everything else I required. The carrier bag is very convenient.

-I’m 5’9″ and had no problems, however, due to the way the sleeper is designed to work you are supposed to sit farther forward on the seat. If you have very long legs this would put your knees into the seat in front of you.

I’m rating it a 4 since I didn’t get fantastic sleep straight away (did manage to sleep, and quite heavily) and because of the stiff neck. As I said though, this is probably more due to error on my part. I will definitely be taking this with me on my next long flight!
Rating: 4 / 5