(maybe we need a product review section ?)
F1 Seat Pak – not quite there.
I love my in-flight organization – it’s been one of those micro challenges I’d pondered for years. Which helps explain why I paid $32 + $12 shipping for a custom designed seat organizer from the intriguing Flight 001 online store. ( Physical store in SYD and SIN)
Essentially the F1 Seat Pak is a flat, multi compartment envelope. Yep it reminded me of a nice pencil case, albeit with nice labels on the compartments like “Aerostuff” and “Travel ID” and no cartoon characters. And the feature that got me to part with fifty bucks was the built in loop that allows the F1 Seat Pak to be hung on the back of the seat in front – on the coat hook where fitted or more likely on the catch that holds the seat tray.
It’s very well manufactured with detailing right down to the company logo on the zipper pull. Nicely packaged in a reusable clear plastic zipper pack and even comes with its own mini luggage label with those white patches you can write on.
So this luggage snack looks delicious, but how does it taste?
The first slight disappointment is the size. When packed with goodies, it’s awkward to get boarding passes out of the Travel ID pocket. And the same with other items. The next version needs to be about 8% bigger in all dimensions.
The deal maker/breaker for me was the seat hook feature. On my first two flights the tray latch knob had no recess, so the F1 Seat Pak could not be attached. The next two flights were not much better, with only a tiny recess, not reliably holding F1 Seat Pak in place.
I know that because the next issue was when I accidentally knocked the F1 Seat Pak off its hook, by reading a magazine. In an Economy seat on QF (31.0 pitch 17.0 width) there is simply not enough space between the seats to read a magazine and have the F1 Seat Pak hanging down. In J class there was just enough room. In the Budget airlines with even closer seating – forget it.
The Bottom Line: Nicely made, but it could be a little larger. You won’t end up using the key feature – seat hanging, and will end up just slipping it into the seat pocket. So why not just buy a pencil case? I looked that the overpriced Sniggle store at the Airport and they had a near identical item, a 4 pocket pencil case for $9.95. No label saying “Travel Id” but you do get a choice of colours and a cartoon looking monkey, zebra or elephant. And of course it looks like you stole it from a Japanese schoolgirl.
Happy miles
Gary
F1 Seat Pak – not quite there.
I love my in-flight organization – it’s been one of those micro challenges I’d pondered for years. Which helps explain why I paid $32 + $12 shipping for a custom designed seat organizer from the intriguing Flight 001 online store. ( Physical store in SYD and SIN)
Essentially the F1 Seat Pak is a flat, multi compartment envelope. Yep it reminded me of a nice pencil case, albeit with nice labels on the compartments like “Aerostuff” and “Travel ID” and no cartoon characters. And the feature that got me to part with fifty bucks was the built in loop that allows the F1 Seat Pak to be hung on the back of the seat in front – on the coat hook where fitted or more likely on the catch that holds the seat tray.
It’s very well manufactured with detailing right down to the company logo on the zipper pull. Nicely packaged in a reusable clear plastic zipper pack and even comes with its own mini luggage label with those white patches you can write on.
So this luggage snack looks delicious, but how does it taste?
The first slight disappointment is the size. When packed with goodies, it’s awkward to get boarding passes out of the Travel ID pocket. And the same with other items. The next version needs to be about 8% bigger in all dimensions.
The deal maker/breaker for me was the seat hook feature. On my first two flights the tray latch knob had no recess, so the F1 Seat Pak could not be attached. The next two flights were not much better, with only a tiny recess, not reliably holding F1 Seat Pak in place.
I know that because the next issue was when I accidentally knocked the F1 Seat Pak off its hook, by reading a magazine. In an Economy seat on QF (31.0 pitch 17.0 width) there is simply not enough space between the seats to read a magazine and have the F1 Seat Pak hanging down. In J class there was just enough room. In the Budget airlines with even closer seating – forget it.
The Bottom Line: Nicely made, but it could be a little larger. You won’t end up using the key feature – seat hanging, and will end up just slipping it into the seat pocket. So why not just buy a pencil case? I looked that the overpriced Sniggle store at the Airport and they had a near identical item, a 4 pocket pencil case for $9.95. No label saying “Travel Id” but you do get a choice of colours and a cartoon looking monkey, zebra or elephant. And of course it looks like you stole it from a Japanese schoolgirl.
Happy miles
Gary
