Small Group Travel Blog: Expert Travel Tips, Destination Guides & Tour Advice

Welcome to the Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor travel blog, featuring expert travel tips, destination guides, cruise advice, airfare strategies, packing suggestions, and first-hand insights from more than 17 years of planning small group tours.

Since 2009, we have helped solo travelers, couples, and friends enjoy adults-only small group tours and luxury river cruises with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service.

Explore articles on Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Peru, Newfoundland, Paris, Normandy, Santa Fe, Canada, Italy, and AmaWaterways river cruises — then view our current Small Group Tours and River Cruises.

07Aug

Travel Product of the Month: BevLedge Airplane Window Organization Station

On August 4, we had a chance to use BevLedge, a new travel product, on our flight from Charlotte, NC (CLT) to Washington, DC (DCA) airport on American Airlines flight number 2182.

See how Linda set up and used the BevLedge with this short, 40-second video

The BevLedge is a patented, foldable airplane window “organization station” designed for economy‑class travelers although we were in first-class on this domestic flight.  Made entirely in the USA by PlaneSmart Products, it slips into the window shade slot on most Airbus 300 and Boeing 700 series aircraft except the A380 and 787.

It delivers storage for up to two drinks, a cell phone, eyewear, earbuds, and more, freeing up space on the tray table and keeping items off your lap or the seat-back pocket.  Constructed of lightweight polyethylene, it folds flat for easy tuck-away in your carry-on.  It comes with a handsome carrying bag and they even throw-in an attractive luggage tag.

This is what we liked about the BevLedge:

  • Space-saving and practical: We give it high praise for securely holding up to two beverages, phone, and accessories simultaneously.  It helps to ease tray‑table crowding and reduces spillage risk.  The extra space was appreciated, even in our first-class seats.
  • Easy to use and pack: Installation takes seconds by sliding into the window shade slot; no tools or attachments needed. When stowed, it's nearly flush and unobtrusive.
  • No complaints from the flight crew: Our flight attendant was impressed and even made a fuss about how nice it was.
  • Durability:  This is a solidly made product.  We know that because we went through about 20 minutes of heavy turbulence on our flight and our BevLedge held up perfectly.
  • Easy to Purchase:  It is available on Amazon.  But hurry up and get yours, we purchased a half-dozen of them as gifts for our flying friends.  In fact, it would be a great gift for our Traveling Professor clients.

Final Verdict

The BevLedge is a clever, lightweight travel hack for window‑seat flyers who want extra space and neat organization for drinks and devices. It works well on many large commercial jets and folds away easily. However, you should verify compatibility with your flight’s aircraft type beforehand. Durability varies, so consider it a low‑cost travel convenience item, not aviation‑grade gear. And be aware that airline staff may interpret FAA rules differently—some users reported being told to remove it mid‑flight.

If you routinely fly economy and score a window seat on supported aircraft, and you're comfortable testing airline policy flexibility, the BevLedge can certainly elevate your in‑flight experience. Just keep expectations in check and maybe pack an alternative tray solution—just in case.

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Who Writes the Small Group Tour Blog?

Professor Steve Solosky, The Traveling Professor, is the founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, operating since 2009. A former college professor and author of The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Paris, Steve has planned and led small group tours throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and beyond. His travel expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WCBS Radio, and The New York Times Travel Show.

Each article is written or reviewed from the perspective of a working tour operator who plans real itineraries, works with local guides and hotels, and helps travelers prepare for successful small group trips.

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