It's my right to put the chair back. I won't do so during meals, but anytime after that it's my chair, my rented piece of gear, and I'll rock it back as far as it can go. The guy/gal behind me should do the same thing, that way they will regain their lost space. Tall folks need to pay for the extra room seats or hold their water. Airline lawyers worked with engineers to come up with seat movement maximums, I am therefore well within my right to operate that piece of equipment at my convenience. Sorry - but only breaks for mothers and during mealtime.
David - 6 years ago
Air lines should calculate the space between seats and should not infringe on passengers that have not purchased space for extra leg room
36 inch inseam - 6 years ago
it is cruel and unusual punishment to fly in seats which are not designed for comfort and safety. research supports the cramped conditions on planes lead to a medical condition, deep vein thrombosis. having to endure a lengthy flight is a hazard to your health. of course everyone is entitled to look after their own health and therefore reclining is essential with long legs. every airline exec should be forced to work at a desk with the space of an economy seat to see how unhealthy the space has become. only after they suffer can they understand how completely unreasonable the seat space has become. every person who flies should join a class action suit to force greater room in all seats on every flight. the current situation is intolerable and will result in increased incidents of air rage.
Judge Judy - 6 years ago
More of that entitlement crap. Recline! No one is entitled to make you sit up straight or should be kicking you if they are not happy. You are on an airplane not at CINEBISTRO!
This is not a perfect world for you. You don't get your way. I ALWAYS recline except at meal time. We worked it out with the armrests now lets deal with the reclining seat.
Fredy Presutto - 6 years ago
In this issue I blame airlines companies that sometimes I believe they only think in different ways to make more money in detriment of passengers. There should be a mandatory regulation forcing airlines to maintain a decent space between seats, like it used to be 30 or 40 years ago. There must be a equilibrium between making money and caring about people comfort during flights.
I am a victim of this problem every time I travel by air because of my height and long legs
PRB1 - 6 years ago
Common sense and courtesy will go a long way here. While we all complain about the cramped quarters and lack of space in most current (non-first/business class) airline seats, there are MANY of us who have a history of back problems, prior back surgery, etc... for whom sitting bolt-upright can be very painful. I don’t appreciate anyone reclining into my space while I am eating any more than those who have mentioned it previously. Many folks have talked about their “right” to recline their seats; others have talked about their “right” to their private (albeit tiny) space. Obviously not everyone can have what he/she wants 100% of the time. A little courtesy toward one another (+/- flight attendant assistance) could go a long way in making these unpleasant situations a little easier for all involved.
Fred - 6 years ago
I am 6'2" tall, and my knees are wedged into the back of the seat in front of me when it is upright. That pain and discomfort is bad enough, especially on flights longer than an hour. You cannot imagine the excruciating pain that occurs when said seat is further wedged into my knees when the person in front of me reclines. Everyone is so interested in "inclusiveness" these days, until that inclusiveness impairs their own sense of self. Well, I will tell you to be cognizant of who is behind you before you take your "right" to press that button. I expect that soon there will be lawsuits both against the airlines and the passenger who elected to press that button because of the injury that they incurred on the unsuspecting person behind them who had the audacity to be taller than the average person. The only way this world will improve is when we all start being considerate of others instead of being so self absorbed and worried about our "rights". I would also suggest that you do some research on what a right actually is. The ability to press that button is a privilege, not a right.
Larry Meyer - 6 years ago
there is no reason to expect a person not to use the recline button on thei chair, however during meal time, which is never on most American flights, it would be nice not to be reclining.
David Coolidge - 6 years ago
I am 80 years old. I am 6' 4" tall. Many body parts that once were flexible and adjustable are no longer. It is surely your right to recline your seat, but if you are sitting in front of me it would be both kind and judicious on your part to forego it.
Rob Anglin - 6 years ago
I think it depends on the airline. More generous seating on airlines like Alaska and Southwest are less of a problem than cattle class airlines like United. I have had numerous occasions where the person in front of me has reclined and restricted my movement and access, like viewing the video monitor.
However, the very worst is trying to eat with the seat in front of me fully inclined. An almost impossible situation on the cattle class airlines!
I believe everyone should be courteous to other passengers and return their seats to upright position during meals. I have had flight attendants ask people to do this, although not universallly, and it has worked out well. I think the airlines have a responsibility to take the lead and ask people to do so temporarily during meals and not leave it to their customers to take the initiative, with sometime bad outcomes.
And yes, I think that during meals, it should be the flight attendant who wakes someone up like you to allow the passenger behind to have a decent dining experience. In the situation outlined in the story I side with the man who asked, possibly without much finesse, for you to straighten your seat at dinner.
The best scenario would have been for him to ask the flight attendant, and not you, to request that the seat be straightened. Then the focus would have been on the cabin crew, and not passenger against passenger, touching and all.
Jill - 6 years ago
I would most like to chase the CEO's of all major airlines around with a cast iron frying pan, but I really don’t have recourse to do that so I would most assuredly turn some of that anger against a fellow passenger who reclines their seat into my teeny tiny living space on a flight. This person sitting ahead of me is well aware of the abject lack of space we are both enduring. To recline their seat is such a selfish act; it positively screams "I don’t care one whit about you, fellow victim of the airlines' profit margins". I grew up in a time and place where people tried to help their neighbour, or at least not make things worse for that person. For the eight, ten or fourteen hours that I share a shiny steel tube with you, I treat you like a neighbour: I don’t nosh on egg sandwiches, or stick my stockinged feet between seats to rest on your elbow, or drop my seat back into your lap. My mother would have declared any of these actions to be "rude!", and I was brought up to never be rude to family, friends, neighbours, or strangers....on a plane or anywhere else.
Maybe it seems that we are all living in a time and place where rude behaviour is the norm- Lord knows we see it often enough in the political sphere! - but I think individuals make a hundred decisions each day on whether to be rude or not. When the author of this article chooses to recline his seat during a flight, I know what decision he has made. Every time I take my seat on a plane I say a prayer that the person sitting ahead of me will make the other choice and will choose to forego a modicum of their own comfort for the sake of his or her neighbour. I hope they choose the "not rude" option.
ELIZABETH FIXSEN - 6 years ago
I never do something that if done to me, I would find unpleasant or objectionable. Thus, I rarely recline my airline seat. To me, the difference in comfort between reclined or not reclined is negligible. The only exception is on a very long flight during evening hours, when it is reasonable to suppose that everyone would want to recline and snooze.
I.C. - 6 years ago
I usually recline a bit to get to sleep just so I won't wake up because my head falls ahead. I'm commenting for longer flights since I almost strictly fly 1-stop international flights.
Reclining fully doesn't make me confortable, so I almost never do it.
One time a guy behind me threw a fit because of my tiny recline and kept kicking my seat for the rest of the flight. I couldn't sleep at all and ended up pushing the seat back. I'm not going to be nice if the other person's rude. To defend myself, my small recline was not on his knees and I did not feel the seat was touching him until he started kicking.
DDJ - 6 years ago
You “rent” a seat on sn airplane. If the seat comes with the option to recline, you have rented that right/space too. If you rent a 2 bedroom condo as a single person, you are entitled to use both bedrooms!!! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR!!
Betty Chatigny - 6 years ago
For pete's sake! Let's put the blame where it belongs -- the designer of the airplane seats; not the person who IS or IS NOT reclining. The button is there for people to use. The purchaser of that particular seat paid for that button. People who flatly state "reclining is rude," or "reclining is okay," need to take stock of their "feelings." Stop putting the onus on the passengers. Write the airline companies, complain in no uncertain terms, and insist that the "recliner" button be removed, so all of us can stop this mindless argument.
E W S - 6 years ago
I'm surprised that so many people think it is rude to recline the seat. I have always just assumed that the reclining option is meant to be there to be used.
That said, I am conscious that it is less convenient for the person behind me, and I make it a habit not to recline on shorter flights, unless the person in front of me is reclining and making the space unusable for me. But on longer flights, I think the recline is a nice feature for comfort, and I don't blame the person in front of me for reclining, and I have never thought that it would be rude for me to recline. I have had a couple of times when the person behind me has forcibly stopped me from reclining, and I thought that that was very rude, to disable the feature built in to my seat.
Maria Barti - 6 years ago
My husband terminal ill , we traveled to Europa for medical reason. Because of his condition I purchused a seat which can be recline. We knew is going to be very uncomfortable anyhow. We don't have the money for comfortable upgraded seats therfore I have to find a solution which is suitable for our needs. The seats where 2/4/2 in the back of the plain, we choosed the 2 recline seats.
Behind us the passenger did not like it we reclined our seats ,she start kicking when she stood up grabbed my backrest she did few times until I asked her politely that assumed the recline is bothersome to her. Yes she's sad I did not like it. I point it out that in front of us the seats are reclined and they have the right to do so. She stoped bothering ,she calmed down herself as much as she slept over the meal time too:)
Please don't blame or be rude to those who want to recline there seats , the recline design is for reason .
If your needs are different being tall or you have medical conditions , look for seats where is no seats in front of you. Seatguru.com or travel with airways where no recline seats available .
Dave - 7 years ago
The argument that if people were not meant to recline, the seats wouldn't recline is flawed.
If people were meant to recline, the seats would automatically be set at recline once the plane levelled off. If everyone was reclined, everyone would have the same space. However only the selfish arrogant people recline. They are taking up the space I paid for.
It does my head in. A typical comment is "I have a bad back so it's okay for me to recline and if you have a problem because you're overweight, you should pay for extra leg room ." That typifies the little shrews that steal my air space. Arrogant, snide and selfish - all of them.
d. hagedorn - 7 years ago
If you are 6'4 and are buying an economy ticket, and expect the person in front of you not to recline, YOU ARE THE RUDE ONE. If you want to use a computer and expect the person in front of you to not recline YOU are the RUDE ONE. As far as i'm concerned the recline IS part of the "personal space" you pay for for a ticket. If you want a war, just demand that I don't recline and we can both be met by the police when we land.
If you are expecting to use your computer, buy a seat that will work. Most longer flights have Economy plus , or comfort plus and those are the seats you need to buy, you get more recline and more inches of knee space. Get real, your cheapness gets you the close seat.
I fly over 100,000 miles per year. these people that don't want you to recline are also the people that probably drive slow in the fast lane., and get indignant when people pass them on the right.
K Whitmore - 7 years ago
I've been traveling for years on domestic and international flights. Frankly, unless you are in First/Business Class in which reclining does NOT affect the seat behind you, I think it is the epitomy of rude and inconsiderate behavior to recline. To listen to some there is no reason to fret since if the person in front of you reclines you can simply recline as well and all is well. Hardly, as some have pointed out not everyone is capable of tolerating a reclined position AND those at the very back of the cabin can NOT recline as their seats are against a wall/bulkhead. I have been on a long, long international flight(s) from LA to Sidney, Australia (during which my travel companion had the person in front of her recline all but for take-off and landing!) and from Aukland, New Zealand to San Francisco (during which the person in front of me had the seat reclined to within like 8 to 10 inches from my face virtually the entire flight - I never knew I suffered from claustrophobia until 2 hours into the 10 hour flight I HAD to get out of my seat! or I was going to lose it). I'm against reclining except for medical necessity.
Sue - 7 years ago
No, on a 6 hr flight it's not rude to recline. What's rude is the airlines making the space between seats smaller and smaller to fit more rows in, making flying miserable. The airline execs should be made to fly cross country in these seats. What's more: now we have to pay extra to have a seat like we used to have! Insult to injury!
A. Downs - 7 years ago
I have several medical conditions which not only prevent me from reclining, I have to use a support pillow so that I can sit completely straight up, at a 90 degree angle. I make it a point to book a seat one row behind a bulkhead, so that the person in front of me has lots of extra room in front, and should not need to recline. I cannot use these seats myself because the tray tables pinch me painfully in my fully upright
position.
Although I make it a point to briefly explain my medical condition, offer to compensate the person in front of me with free drinks, or cash, or whatever, almost invariably he or she insists on reclining and stretching ALL the way out, no matter how much pain this causes me. The only way I can sleep I to lean forward, since I cannot physically lean backwards, yet I am the one who gets the nastiness directed at me by a perfectly healthy, selfish person. Yes, those 2-3 inches cause me a lot of pain, but in our less than gracious society, it seems that the Americans with Disabilities Act does not cover this particular act of torture. I do not see why it is OK for someone to cause me hours of pain to increase their comfort when they already have more than 3 feet of legroom. So yes, I do often have to stand and walk around on flights, because it is marginally less painful than being pushed backwards by someone else's seat. And tilting back does not relieve hip problems, I know this because my husband, who has several hip problems, would never THINK of tilting back and disturbing another passenger.
Jerry Dosher - 7 years ago
I find it extremely rude to recline. In all my travel I will not do to the person behind me. Two laptops were damaged because someone jammed the seat backwards. The airlines should indicate during the safety presentations to ask those who will be rude to tell the person behind them that they will choose to be rude. Pity that my long legs have to be stuck right up that persons spine when they choose to recline. Funny how sometimes they change their minds.
All about the "Me Generation"
Patricia - 7 years ago
I cannot believe I even have to respond to this. I live in America. I have the right to free speech. Just because I have the right to free speak does that mean I should speak any rude thing that pops in my head. Restraint, reflection and consideration for others should determine our actions.
What makes you think it is OK to recline your seat as far back as it will go so that I cannot work on my laptop or use my tray for a meal? One of you said the airlines should not build planes that should not allow the seats to recline at all or at least not so much. What happened to consideration of others? No wonder Trump was elected.
Just because we CAN does not me we SHOULD.
Mel Dickson - 7 years ago
"It's nice to be asked and to ask" I usually ask the person behind if is OK to recline my seat, I have never been refused. What gets my back up is when the person in front reclines at speed I have been hit on the head several times by these seat throwers whilst I was bending down to retrieve something out of my bag.
So please people be courteous and ask before you recline.
K. Libert - 7 years ago
My ticket purchased a space that includes a drop down table that I can use to do work on. When someone reclines their seat into MY purchased space making it impossible to use the space for its intended purpose, they are stealing from me. They are thieves of not only my paid for space and amenity, but also of my time. The airlines should do away with reclining seats all together. There is not the space for them anymore.
Always Traveling - 7 years ago
You have the right to recline your seat into my knees. I have right to move my knees! If that makes you uncomfortable, you put your back there! You can fix it! You have the right to voice your opinion. But I don't care what you say! The fact that I made you loose your cool just eggs me on to do it more! Leave your seat up, or if you feel someone's knees just ask. Clearly you're hitting the person behind you. If you continue to do this with no regard for the person behind you then why should they show any regard for you? Let's try and start showing some mutual respect and things will go a lot smoother. Also for the medical reason, again, you're putting your relief over mine. If people work together they should be able to figure it out.
Maura - 7 years ago
I am not skinny Minnie but also I am not morbidly obese. I am disabled I have had people jam their seat backs into my legs and the tray table into my gut. I paid for this space which you are trying to invade stay out of my space! It may be an inconvenience to you but for me it is extremely painful
Shirley Kroot - 7 years ago
What most people do not know is that there is a button underneath and at the back of the armrest of the aisle seat which allows the armrest to be raise up. This allows for the aisle-seat passenger to have a little more seat and leg room. If you can't find it, ask the flight attendant. It can be a life saver.
DealWithIt - 8 years ago
IMHO, that personal space behind me, which some passengers seem to claim as their own, actually belongs to me unless I choose not to use it. Otherwise, there wouldn't be any button enabling such use for reclining.
I wholeheartedly agree with 6' 4" P. Butler's comment that "The argument that when someone in front of you reclines 'their head is in my lap' is simply not true". If it were even close to being true, you can be damn sure no airline would have reclining seats anywhere.
Having said that, if someone behind me politely asks me to accommodate them by sharing SOME of that space or even temporarily sharing ALL of the space required for me to recline, I would feel obliged to work out some mutually beneficial arrangement.
However, be warned that using a Knee Defender without asking me first, kicking me in the back, pissing and whining or cursing me out won't get you anywhere. It will only incur my wrath. In that case, see my "Name" (above) for your answer.
Peter Dobrovic - 8 years ago
I agree that people have become incosiderate and rude in recent times. At 5'5" I don't need a great deal of leg room but still struggle on most economy flights so I fully sympathise with taller passengers. With regard to reclining seats I find that it is impossible to eat my in-flight meal when the seat in front is reclined and cannot understand why the person in front hasn't taken this into account. If you extend the attitude of " I can therefore I will " to everything then things are going to become decidedly nasty. Having said this I recently travelled on a Thomson flight that had been streamlined for extra comfort and I found it to be a good experience.
P Butler - 8 years ago
I am 6'4" and I fly somewhere from 60 to 90 segments a year. I used to get upgraded, but with the US-AA merger, I seems there are fewer upgraded for people like me. The argument that when someone in front of you reclines "their head is in my lap" is simply not true. Airline seats, especially in coach, just plain don't recline that far. At 6'4" I don't notice a significant difference in space between an un-reclined versus reclined seat in front of me. Accordingly, I recline when I fly. Not once has anyone had the balls to ask me not to. Sure, on rare occasions they've dug their knees into the back of my seat or made noises when I recline, but in my opinion that is extreme over reaction on their part. I think they are more upset about the perceive slight than they are about the actual loss of space.
Tlyna - 8 years ago
I have a damaged spine and sitting too upright for long causes me severe pain. I don't want to infringe on others so I recline just enough to take the strain off my spine but not to block those behind me from using their computer, eating or being comfortable. I never recline at mealtimes and will go upright when the person is getting out of his/her seat for the bathroom or whatever.
candi - 8 years ago
I don't fly that often. However, the worst experiences I've ever had while flying is when the person in front of me reclines into my lap. We all know that it's going to be a cramped space anyways. It's only for a few hours (minus international flights which I've been on as well). There's nothing worse than trying to get out of your seat but you've got someone in your lap.
I think they need to take away the ability to recline all together. That would resolve a lot of issues with passengers.
Jaques Shellaque - 8 years ago
I've never been able to sleep in moving vehicles (an advantage when I'm the driver). Instead, I bring a book
on planes, and read constantly. When the seat in front of me is fully reclined, my book is too close for me
to see the print clearly. I push my book against the seat ahead, keeping it from reclining. If the passenger in that seat complains to flight attendant, attendant sees the problem and tries to move passenger to another
seat; or explains that "sometimes seats won't recline". I fly as little as possible, preferring trains, or driving
myself (even on long trips-being retired I can do this). COURTESY and COMMON SENSE should always rule.
Follow the example of MOST flight attendants in this regard.
trvllynn - 8 years ago
Having worked for an international airline years ago, I read most of the above comments noting that many are over four years old! I flew prop planes many times but that was back when people used common sense and flying WAS fun and a delightful experience. Planes were made more for comfort than the almighty dollar$$$. Today's world is full of very rude people of all sizes/ages. Selfishness is the NAME of most today with little courtesy for the fellow passenger. I agree with one comment that ALL SHOULD BE WELL GROOMED AND DRESSED APPROPRIATELY WHEN TRAVELING PERIOD! Keep your manners ahead of your anger!!
John - 9 years ago
I find that on long international flights, I have come to despise families with small children that recline the seat back for the entire flight thus forcing my knees to be splayed outward. Never to be put in front of me again for the rest of the journey. I get up to see that the passenger in front of them is not reclined and they are enjoying full space while I count every minute of torture. I have to pull on the seat back to get up to use the rest room, I stand as often as possible and I just stare at my reduced space and keep looking at their thoughtless heads. Once one mother slammed the seat back into my knees that I was using to block the seat from reclining. I had fallen asleep and she made sure that I woke up. She never even said, sorry. Just looked at me like it was my fault. If I had slammed the seat onto her knees, I wonder what kind of hell would have broken out then ? Of course, some passengers don't know enough yet to lock the restroom door yet so what can one expect ? Opening the door and finding some old lady with henna painted hands and feet that doesn't understand English, perched up on the toilet seat with both feet is a sight not to be forgotten at 33,000 feet. Now that is a real waker upper. One that will send you back to that cramped space to whimper quietly until arrival at your destination.
cbg - 9 years ago
My husband and I are both tall and have issues when the people in front of us recline. We have been nice and requested they not recline as doing so pushes their seat more so into our knees, which are already against the back of their seats. Their pushing back is frustrating for them and painful for us. We try to upgrade our seats when possible, but there are times when there is no upgrade available to Economy Plus or Business Class. Hence, that is not always a solution.
The plain lack of common courtesy these days is amazing. So many people claim to care about others, but that changes in less than a heartbeat when it comes to flying. Its all about me. My arm wrest, my leg space, my ability to recline, my need to exercise in the aisle and show my sweaty underarms to the world and share my body scent. Oh how disgusting.
We wouldn't think of going anywhere without being clean, dressed in clean clothes, have body wipes with us for longer flights and our manners no matter where we go. Manners don't cost a thing and the return can be incredible.
Unhappy Passenger - 9 years ago
I usually have no problem, but my 6'6" husband does. My husband usually has to put his size 14 foot in front of me in my floorspace & his other knee extends into the aisle. He has an artificial leg becauee he's a below-knee amputee & the foot and ankle don't flex much. On our last flight, the woman in front of him kept trying to recline and she pushed as hard as she could, and bruised my husband's knees in the process. I asked her to move her seat up so that he could spread his legs farther apart, she just looked at me & kept shoving. Very rude. Exit row seats are difficult to get as we aren't frequent flyers, nor can we afford the extra hundreds or thousands of dollars to upgrade our seats.
Mike Lee - 10 years ago
The airlines should have planes that are smaller seating area to not recline anytime.
Also maybe if the seats did not recline back as far as they do now .
But then again there will always be some people to annoy us some time not matter where they are.
Pam - 11 years ago
Like the character Rosanna, Rosanna Danna used to say on the show Saturday Night Live, "It just goes to show ya, it's always something!"
I have the back pain problem if required to sit upright.
Someone else is tall.
Then there are the children that kick the back of your seat.
There are crying babies.
Snorers.
Body Odors,
Loud talkers,
On and On........do what you can to help yourself...I select my seat option early, have ear plugs and eye covers and neck support. I switch seats to help tall people, I switch seats to allow chatty teens to talk side by side instead of yelling down the aisles. Most of all, I pray for the parents who are trying to help their babies from crying. Regarding all these "whining" adults, who can't cope with "inconveniences" during flights, I would say, "Go to see a counselor. It is all about your mindset. Accept what you cannot control, do what you can to help yourself, and then let go. Perhaps reflect on the marvels of modern travel to see so many parts of the world by plane."
Beth - 11 years ago
While exiting the plane on the first leg of what was to be a 49 1/2 flight (rerouted literally around the world as a result of the volcano in island) the tip of my shoe got caught in the uneven gap between the plane and the jetway. I fell and broke my ankle. After visiting the infirmary in the basement of Dubai's airport (beautiful, state of the art, and no charge) where I received excellent treatment, I was told that I needed to elevate my foot to prevent blood clots or be hospitalized in Dubai until it was deemed safe for me to fly. Since I was travelling alone and had visions in my head of ending up with no money or passport and becoming a story on Dateline, I opted to continue on with my foot elevated. The woman seated behind me, who had been on the same trip with me, and witnessed my fall, through a fit because I attempted to recline my seat! I think common sense and compassion should prevail and if all else fails, recline your own seat to regain those precious 4 inches of space!!!
FrankieV - 11 years ago
Only selfish morons put their seats back. End of story.
John - 11 years ago
I am astonished by people who say that the passenger ahead has no right to recline a seat that was designed to recline. At least on the airlines I fly, even a full recline does not prevent me from using my tray for eating or supporting my I-Pad. I rarely recline myself because it doesn't make me more comfortable. If you want more space in front, purchase premium economy, Business or First. Don't try to limit the rights of other passengers. Another option is to fly on some super cheap airlines that don't have reclining seats. Don't be surprised if a flight attendant ORDERS you to stop blocking the passenger in front of you from reclining if you use some device intended to prevent it. By the way, it is violation of law not to follow lawful directions given by crew members. Push them too far and it is possible that you might be removed from the flight at the first opportunity or even arrested.
John - 11 years ago
Sure you can recline if you paid $300 for a ticket. You can also pass nasty gas and pick your cute little nose on the plane as well. Hey, take your smelly shoes and socks off while your exercising your God-given rights. On the other hand, I'm 6' 4", weigh 240#, and I have a torn meniscus and I sat on a NYC to Chicago flight yesterday - in coach - with a "recliner" in my face for SEVEN HOURS (issue with the weather as you probably surmised). It's especially frustrating when you ask the person in front of you not to recline and they indigently ignore you - like yesterday. Go ahead - recline and feel the power of snubbing your nose at good form and proper etiquette. By the way, I have never reclined assuming the person behind me also paid $300 and would like to enjoy the flying experience.
charlie - 11 years ago
if i am paying 300.00 or more for a flight ,iam going to recline;
Alice Smith - 11 years ago
I had bad experiences with overseas travel. I was on the end seat but the passenger in front of me reclined. I had to use the WC but couldn't get out of my sesat without raising my hips over the armrest and contorting my body to get out. I think thepassenger ahead of me also was asleep!!!
W Wheeler - 11 years ago
For medical reasons i have to recline or i am inpain for weeks .
j.campbell - 11 years ago
fortunately, the dry air on planes makes me cough quite a lot - I don't have a bug, just a dry throat - so coughing over their faces (while they are practically looking up at me with seats fully reclined) and frequently rearranging my very long hair so that it dangles in their faces - tends to work pretty well - however, I do restrict these tactics to meal times - otherwise go ahead and sleep you lucky folk who can sleep on planes
Deb Porter - 12 years ago
When the person in front of my economy class seat reclines his or her seatback , I HAVE to recline mine in order to breathe, squirm or whatever. The space between the two seats is so small that reclining is the only defensive strategy.
DIANA - 12 years ago
I flew back from Hawaii. I was seated on the very last row...my seat did NOT recline at all. The person in front of me reclined as far as he could. That left me barely breathing room, let alone moving room, on a very long flight. It was like his head was lying in my lap. I think that person should have shown a little consideration and not reclined quite as far. I did not scream, cry, or grab the guy, but I spent a miserable night and feel that, since I paid for the flight, just as others did, I should have had some rights and comfort. Had I been a prisoner in chains, I could not have been more miserable. I do NOT intend to fly that airline EVER again.
Anita - 12 years ago
When I put my knee against the seat in front of me in order to keep the guy from reclining into my lap, he called the Flight Attendant over and complained and the Flight Attendant told me I had to let the guy recline all he wanted or they would have the police meet us at the airport and arrest ME!!!! The guy in front of me smirked and had his seat as far back as possible all the rest of the trip which was over 7 hours. I was incensed but didn't want to see if the Flight Attendant would actually call the police
Allison - 12 years ago
I believe that one should at least give the person a heads up that you are going to recline your seat. If I notice that they are eating - I will usually wait. Do on to others as you would like to have done onto you.
Curt E See - 12 years ago
It comes down to common courtesy and manners. There is less and less room on planes and less and less mannered people these days. Yes, some people have back problems so they say they need to recline the seats, but they should still ask before they recline. There is someone seated behind those "back problem" people. That person behind them could have had knee surgery. Or, that person seated behind could possibly be 6'7". I am tall; when that reclining seat comes down, there is NO room; I cannot move. When I have to get up to go to the rest room, I have to grab that reclinning seat in front of me anyway as that seat is now in my face as I stand. But that person wouldn't know that, as that person is completely clueless and "peacefully" and "comfortably" reclined.
Sue Wolff - 12 years ago
Have the courtesy to ask if the person behind minds if you recline and also NEVER recline your seat during a meal. To do otherwise is bourish.
Catherine - 12 years ago
I personally find it extremely rude to recline a seatback at times other than those when people are trying to sleep on overnight flights. If your seatback is reclined over my foot space, I am not going to be able to stand up without clinging to the back of your seat as I shuffle sideways in a crouched position to attain the aisle. Checking in with the person behind you before reclining, even at night, is common courtesy.
B. Scotton - 12 years ago
Given that most coach seats recline a total of 3 or 4 inches these days, it is not a big imposition on the passenger behind you to recline. Doing so does allow you to dose off without your head pitching forward repeatedly as happens in the upright position.
Pam - 12 years ago
I have a bad back so it is extremely painful for me to sit in those seats in an upright position. I do NOT recline it all the way back and bring it forward for eating if I'm awake. I've flown on a plane with non-reclining seats and I was in agony during the flight and for days afterwards, living on pain meds. Sorry I "invaded" your space but my back has priority with me. And don't tell me not to fly if the seats are an issue for me. That's not a solution to the problem at all. You CAN"T drive everywhere! And I'm not rich enough to afford a higher class seat. Come up with a "real" solution if you want to, not some knee jerk reaction that isn't a real solution.
Jim - 12 years ago
As a 6' 5" tall person who has had teenagers recline and talk all flight and my tray table rests on my legs all flight, my knee will be in your back all flight. For the lady complaining about armrests, by your logic if you are in the center seat you have no armrests. Not happening, share or take your car. Don't start me on people on a late night flight who seem to need to have the light on.
Regina - 12 years ago
Absolutely no reclining at meal times, or on flights longer than 90 minutes if there is a passenger behind you(as in a "full flight", or someone who has paid for extra legroom(as in Economy Plus/equivalent.) My husband, 6'4" with a bad back and shot knees, have had people not only reclining, but literally bouncing in their seats on transatlantic flights(from California. to boot.) Leg bones cannot bend or flex!!! (Diet and exercise will not change the length of one's bones.)
There have also been too many times when passenger(s) beside you think nothing of reading newspapers fully open(yes, double pages) or someone eating with 6-8 inches of elbow extended over your meal. Not only NOT NICE... bu excruciating for the one who's paying for someone else's comfort.
R.Kirshen - 12 years ago
On some airlines, even on international flights, there is so little space left when the seat in front is reclined, that one cannot even get up to stretch or use the bathroom.
The only solution is to ring for the attendant, so that he/she can deal with the person who becomes unruly or combative when asked to make his seat upright. I cannot understand those who think it OK to recline during meals. On many flights, the table is in one's lap. and the food tray may not even fit on the table.
The real problem is the "me, myself, and I" people. The ones who will not cooperate with anyone.
R. Rose - 12 years ago
I never recline my seat. One might argue that if the person in front of you reclines, then you can recline your seat. But eventually the people sitting in the last seats, who can not recline are forced to endure a very cramped space. In my opinion, if everyone can not recline than nobody should be allowed to recline.
K Hannigan - 12 years ago
On long international flights, meals are usually served. Please do not recline during meal time. Surely, most people lean forward when they eat anyway. I would like to be able to lean forward and eat without getting the hair of the person in front of me in my food! Thank you!
Mazaniac - 12 years ago
It's been quite a while since I've had to fly any where and this whole debate has me extremely thankful that I haven't had to fly, but also extremely skeptical since this June I will be flying some where. That being said, if you happen to be sitting in my lap when you recline, I'd like to apologize in advance for sneezing all over your face and head. The pollen is just so bad and my allergies are just awful . . . I'm not saying you or I can't / shouldn't recline, just saying you may want to take some of that airborne before the flight.
Sara - 12 years ago
I have always reclinded my seat and will always continue to recline in the future. All your discussions or "reasons" against it fall on deaf ears. If you annoy or threaten me in any way I will ask airline personell to become involved. As a former flight atttendant I can assure you that reclining one's seat is not a violation and will be allowed. You, on the other hand could be reported to the Captain as a threatening passenger, and that spells TROUBLE. Might I suggest you just recline too? That way you have the same amount of existing space.
Terry - 12 years ago
Seats in economy are now so uncomfortable that reclining the seat is the only way you can be moderately comfortable during a flight. It's the passenger's prerogative to use the recline button. Not having this feature on an international flight would be unthinkable. I recline my seat but do ensure that I put it back in an upright position during meal times although I have never noticed that my meal tray is affected by a reclining seat in front of me. For the taller passenger, yes, it is unfortunate that you have to squeeze into economy seats but the majority of people have to cope with that situation nowadays and the person in front of you isn't being selfish by reclining the seat. Selfish to me is failing to discipline noisy and active children and bringing smelly pets onto a flight.
D.Weliver - 12 years ago
I have carried my home made recline preventer for years. It is wood and TSA has never questioned it. It sits between my legs braced against my seat and the back of the seat in front of me. I am 6'2 and if the seat is reclined into my space I am stuck. There is no reason for the sets to recline. They provide no benefit to normal sized people.
Chris Murano - 12 years ago
I have never before heard such self-centered, rude and inconsiderate behavior. You want to exerise your right to recline your seat and the rights of the person behind you be damned. APPARENTLY, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WITH THE RIGHT TO BE COMFORTABLE! If someone behind you just had his meal dumped in his lap, I guess that's his tough luck. After all, YOU have a right to be comfortable.
sheila - 12 years ago
I believe you have no right to recline as it's very unpleasant to sit with the reclined seat in your
lap.There are people who love to recline during meal time and that is even worse.
Until the airlines decide to give us back some of the space that we lost a long time ago no one has a right to recline but if you must it is polite to ask permission.
dennis - 12 years ago
IMHO - my purchased space includes my seat and the space between the upright seat before me, and from the ceiling to the floor, and by designation by the airline company, the space below the seat in front of me and the floor.
It includes a fold-down table designated for my use that I can use for eating, placing my laptop, or other materials that I choose to use, esp with the provided lighting, during the course of the flight.
If you choose to rudely throw your seat back, and actually, I am encountering this LESS, I will probably tend to block and remind you that you are endangering my laptop, etc, and unacceptably affecting my use of the space. Of course, on an overnight flight, I respect the need to carve out a bit of sleep, and I join the group that carefully checks backward of me, and slowly lower the seatback after checking or asking the person to rear of me for permission.
For the folks who suggest their right to lower their setback and take away my "desk", will they allow me to sit on their lap to use their table? Doubt it, and who gave them the right to more than one seat area? I also bring down the seat arms to assure that larger folks, including my dear wife, don't impede on my limited space. It's hard to be comfy and sanely pass the time, and I'm quite comfy rather upright - don't we all fall asleep at our computers or upright in front of the TVs?
Ray - 12 years ago
Take the button away.
MARCIA SOARES - 12 years ago
I have travelled very often for over 45 years. I have experienced expensive flights, 1st class flights, business or executive flights and , after my retirement, and also because I simply cannot sleep aboard, either a short or long flight, I fly economy flights and spend my money with better hotels, real entertainment, at my destiny . While aboard, I try not to punish other passengers by keeping my seat light on at night , therefore I cannot read while other passengers sleep . So, I watch a minimum of 2 films, hear music and try to enjoy all programs offered by the onsite TV. As far as I can remember, when the meals are served, the crew advises all passengers that they should keep their seat in the upright position. Of course, those who are sleeping do not hear the advice, but , unless they have never travelled a long flight, they should know that this is a rule aboard. I only would suggest that those who are feeling problems with their front seat passenger should call the steward(ess) and ask him(her) to call the front seat passenger`s attention. This would avoid the problem. But the sleeping person cannot or should not complain. these are the rules of the business!!!!
I also wish to comment based in my personal experience, I travel a lot alone and I am a woman, that 80% of male passengers that unluckily ( for me) seat next to me, feel they have the right to put their elbow in the rest arm between seats and most of the time do not care if they hit me with their elbow.
What do I do>? I take upon me the unpleasant task of calling their attention, my next door
paxs have reacted in very different ways.What amazes me is that most of the time they act like
Wow, I did not knowI was hitting your ribs.......
I would love to hear more comments on this subject, it has come to a point that I have asked when choosing my seat to please be seated next to a woman. We are much better at this.
Reino Paaso - 12 years ago
There is a button therefore I get to use it? Is that supposed to be an argument or a cry for help? There are also emergency exits and some older planes still have ashtrays. So if the airline puts th there... Don't you dare. Personal space on planes has been shrinking for years now but, apparently some people's expectations have not kept pace.
jsu - 12 years ago
What ever happened to common courtesy, respect and thoughtfulness. When wanting to recline my seat, I can look behind and see if its going to bother the person behind me, ask them if I can put my seat back and certain degree. Likewise, I can courteously ask the person in front of me, to put the back up slightly to accommodate both of our needs.
F. E. Blay - 12 years ago
On a flight from Florida to AZ I had my flight changed at check in to another and my seat did not recline and had little leg room. Sadly, the seat in front of me did recline and I had the most miserable flight ever.
I explained poliltely my predictament to the fellow who was mostly in my lap but he not only refused to return to the upright position, he cursed me for requesting this!!!
The flight was full and there were no other seats available. This airline forever lost my business!
Betsy B - 12 years ago
My correct vote would be, "recline except for an hour while at meal time". If no meal is to be served, then do as you please!.
I usually find that most offended parties would be larger, taller, overall bigger people than me (I am 5'2). Obviously! for them the space is not proportional distributed but that is something which I, as fellow passenger, have no control off nor should I be made to suffer sitting upright the entire flight, just because by the 'grace of my genes' , I do fit on my airline appointed chair!. Take up with the airlines. What now?Should airlines be made to split cabins into "up to 5'6 and 150 lbs" and so forth sections?
BTW my biggest issue with airline sitting, is when if by pure luck, a larger person would seat beside me, and assumes that since I still have room left on either side of my seat, he/she is entitled to "invade it", for some "rude" reason they feel entitled to 'my paid for or reserved for, space'. Good luck! Trying to ask an attendant to request that, they lower the arm rest (or remove their overflowing, muffin top) from my seat and for the entire flight!.
Now ... how about we discuss what should be done for when there is a passenger with offensive BO?
James Shiley - 12 years ago
I just got back from a trip to the Philippines. I flew an Asian airline there and an American airline back. In both cases, the steward(es) politely told people that they had to return their seatbacks to upright during meal service. This seemed like the best way to handle it as it doesn't put passengers against each other.
I personally defend my space by using my knees to prevent the person in front of me from reclining - most people give up after about 10 minutes. I've never had anyone say anything, although I have gotten dirty looks.
Graciela - 12 years ago
It is only common sense and politeness to fully recline only at certain times, for instance avoid reclining when they are serving a meal. To put all the blame on the airline is in tune with today' attitude to avoid personal responsibility. There is a door at the elevator but it does not mean that people should rush in before the people who is inside can come out. Neither is the elevator company responsible.
I travel a lot and recline a little often but before fully reclining I think it twice.
B Varner - 12 years ago
I beleive it is your right to recline, with some reasonableness and a little courtesy. Can go a long way. I have been the victim and wittnessed those who slam the seat back to full recline without warning and with enough force to spill drinks. We are all trapped in the same tube can't we simply be nice (in your mama's terms) and engage in basic manners. (That also should apply equally to interactions with and from flight crews) Those simple principles could make flying a bit better for all of us.
C - 12 years ago
Use the recline is yours but use it slowly and carefully. Seat backs eat laptops!
I tend to forget to recline until the person ahead of me reclines then I shift my space aft accordingly. I still have what I paid for... just at a different attitude. Perhaps others need an attitude adjustment as well. ;-)
Bruce Nickerson - 12 years ago
The airline is responsible for the seats - AND for the space between the seats. The sold, and I purchased, a seat with the ability to recline - and thereby to be a bit less uncomfortable. I do not propose to give up that modicum of comfort without good reason. Actually, the airlines are now in the process of "solving" the "problem" by diminishing the amount of recline available on many of their planes. Increasingly, the available recline is so small as to be almost negligable.
khs - 12 years ago
The person who demands the right to recline whenever they want to is just the person against whom the knee defender was designed to protect other travelers, and who deserves most to have those behind them using it. If everyone on the plane came from the same town and all knew each other, there would likely be less of a problem. Inconsiderate behavior is at least partly a consequence of anonymity.
scr - 12 years ago
With the lack of space today on all airlines, I think it is rude. I am 6'4" and have no room for my legs. Everyone knows the lack of room, so why would anyone recline their seat?? SELFISH in my opinion
Mary Lou McMeins - 12 years ago
I paid to use the seat and I WILL recline in it except at meal times. I had someone keep hitting my seat because it was reclined. I finally told him to stop as I had paid for the seat and I would recline. He did quit and left me alone but it was extremely rude in my opinion. Plus what if the person in front of you has reclined their seat-you NEED to recline yours to get some space.
D. Collins - 12 years ago
I agree that flying (any class) is not what it used to be and and is getting more uncomfortable. That said, I believe that the seat reclining button is there to be used. Many of us have back and hip problems that are only relieved a tad, on a flight, by changing positions. The seat button is our only relief now that it is verbotten to stand or walk around on flights.
It's my right to put the chair back. I won't do so during meals, but anytime after that it's my chair, my rented piece of gear, and I'll rock it back as far as it can go. The guy/gal behind me should do the same thing, that way they will regain their lost space. Tall folks need to pay for the extra room seats or hold their water. Airline lawyers worked with engineers to come up with seat movement maximums, I am therefore well within my right to operate that piece of equipment at my convenience. Sorry - but only breaks for mothers and during mealtime.
Air lines should calculate the space between seats and should not infringe on passengers that have not purchased space for extra leg room
it is cruel and unusual punishment to fly in seats which are not designed for comfort and safety. research supports the cramped conditions on planes lead to a medical condition, deep vein thrombosis. having to endure a lengthy flight is a hazard to your health. of course everyone is entitled to look after their own health and therefore reclining is essential with long legs. every airline exec should be forced to work at a desk with the space of an economy seat to see how unhealthy the space has become. only after they suffer can they understand how completely unreasonable the seat space has become. every person who flies should join a class action suit to force greater room in all seats on every flight. the current situation is intolerable and will result in increased incidents of air rage.
More of that entitlement crap. Recline! No one is entitled to make you sit up straight or should be kicking you if they are not happy. You are on an airplane not at CINEBISTRO!
This is not a perfect world for you. You don't get your way. I ALWAYS recline except at meal time. We worked it out with the armrests now lets deal with the reclining seat.
In this issue I blame airlines companies that sometimes I believe they only think in different ways to make more money in detriment of passengers. There should be a mandatory regulation forcing airlines to maintain a decent space between seats, like it used to be 30 or 40 years ago. There must be a equilibrium between making money and caring about people comfort during flights.
I am a victim of this problem every time I travel by air because of my height and long legs
Common sense and courtesy will go a long way here. While we all complain about the cramped quarters and lack of space in most current (non-first/business class) airline seats, there are MANY of us who have a history of back problems, prior back surgery, etc... for whom sitting bolt-upright can be very painful. I don’t appreciate anyone reclining into my space while I am eating any more than those who have mentioned it previously. Many folks have talked about their “right” to recline their seats; others have talked about their “right” to their private (albeit tiny) space. Obviously not everyone can have what he/she wants 100% of the time. A little courtesy toward one another (+/- flight attendant assistance) could go a long way in making these unpleasant situations a little easier for all involved.
I am 6'2" tall, and my knees are wedged into the back of the seat in front of me when it is upright. That pain and discomfort is bad enough, especially on flights longer than an hour. You cannot imagine the excruciating pain that occurs when said seat is further wedged into my knees when the person in front of me reclines. Everyone is so interested in "inclusiveness" these days, until that inclusiveness impairs their own sense of self. Well, I will tell you to be cognizant of who is behind you before you take your "right" to press that button. I expect that soon there will be lawsuits both against the airlines and the passenger who elected to press that button because of the injury that they incurred on the unsuspecting person behind them who had the audacity to be taller than the average person. The only way this world will improve is when we all start being considerate of others instead of being so self absorbed and worried about our "rights". I would also suggest that you do some research on what a right actually is. The ability to press that button is a privilege, not a right.
there is no reason to expect a person not to use the recline button on thei chair, however during meal time, which is never on most American flights, it would be nice not to be reclining.
I am 80 years old. I am 6' 4" tall. Many body parts that once were flexible and adjustable are no longer. It is surely your right to recline your seat, but if you are sitting in front of me it would be both kind and judicious on your part to forego it.
I think it depends on the airline. More generous seating on airlines like Alaska and Southwest are less of a problem than cattle class airlines like United. I have had numerous occasions where the person in front of me has reclined and restricted my movement and access, like viewing the video monitor.
However, the very worst is trying to eat with the seat in front of me fully inclined. An almost impossible situation on the cattle class airlines!
I believe everyone should be courteous to other passengers and return their seats to upright position during meals. I have had flight attendants ask people to do this, although not universallly, and it has worked out well. I think the airlines have a responsibility to take the lead and ask people to do so temporarily during meals and not leave it to their customers to take the initiative, with sometime bad outcomes.
And yes, I think that during meals, it should be the flight attendant who wakes someone up like you to allow the passenger behind to have a decent dining experience. In the situation outlined in the story I side with the man who asked, possibly without much finesse, for you to straighten your seat at dinner.
The best scenario would have been for him to ask the flight attendant, and not you, to request that the seat be straightened. Then the focus would have been on the cabin crew, and not passenger against passenger, touching and all.
I would most like to chase the CEO's of all major airlines around with a cast iron frying pan, but I really don’t have recourse to do that so I would most assuredly turn some of that anger against a fellow passenger who reclines their seat into my teeny tiny living space on a flight. This person sitting ahead of me is well aware of the abject lack of space we are both enduring. To recline their seat is such a selfish act; it positively screams "I don’t care one whit about you, fellow victim of the airlines' profit margins". I grew up in a time and place where people tried to help their neighbour, or at least not make things worse for that person. For the eight, ten or fourteen hours that I share a shiny steel tube with you, I treat you like a neighbour: I don’t nosh on egg sandwiches, or stick my stockinged feet between seats to rest on your elbow, or drop my seat back into your lap. My mother would have declared any of these actions to be "rude!", and I was brought up to never be rude to family, friends, neighbours, or strangers....on a plane or anywhere else.
Maybe it seems that we are all living in a time and place where rude behaviour is the norm- Lord knows we see it often enough in the political sphere! - but I think individuals make a hundred decisions each day on whether to be rude or not. When the author of this article chooses to recline his seat during a flight, I know what decision he has made. Every time I take my seat on a plane I say a prayer that the person sitting ahead of me will make the other choice and will choose to forego a modicum of their own comfort for the sake of his or her neighbour. I hope they choose the "not rude" option.
I never do something that if done to me, I would find unpleasant or objectionable. Thus, I rarely recline my airline seat. To me, the difference in comfort between reclined or not reclined is negligible. The only exception is on a very long flight during evening hours, when it is reasonable to suppose that everyone would want to recline and snooze.
I usually recline a bit to get to sleep just so I won't wake up because my head falls ahead. I'm commenting for longer flights since I almost strictly fly 1-stop international flights.
Reclining fully doesn't make me confortable, so I almost never do it.
One time a guy behind me threw a fit because of my tiny recline and kept kicking my seat for the rest of the flight. I couldn't sleep at all and ended up pushing the seat back. I'm not going to be nice if the other person's rude. To defend myself, my small recline was not on his knees and I did not feel the seat was touching him until he started kicking.
You “rent” a seat on sn airplane. If the seat comes with the option to recline, you have rented that right/space too. If you rent a 2 bedroom condo as a single person, you are entitled to use both bedrooms!!! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR!!
For pete's sake! Let's put the blame where it belongs -- the designer of the airplane seats; not the person who IS or IS NOT reclining. The button is there for people to use. The purchaser of that particular seat paid for that button. People who flatly state "reclining is rude," or "reclining is okay," need to take stock of their "feelings." Stop putting the onus on the passengers. Write the airline companies, complain in no uncertain terms, and insist that the "recliner" button be removed, so all of us can stop this mindless argument.
I'm surprised that so many people think it is rude to recline the seat. I have always just assumed that the reclining option is meant to be there to be used.
That said, I am conscious that it is less convenient for the person behind me, and I make it a habit not to recline on shorter flights, unless the person in front of me is reclining and making the space unusable for me. But on longer flights, I think the recline is a nice feature for comfort, and I don't blame the person in front of me for reclining, and I have never thought that it would be rude for me to recline. I have had a couple of times when the person behind me has forcibly stopped me from reclining, and I thought that that was very rude, to disable the feature built in to my seat.
My husband terminal ill , we traveled to Europa for medical reason. Because of his condition I purchused a seat which can be recline. We knew is going to be very uncomfortable anyhow. We don't have the money for comfortable upgraded seats therfore I have to find a solution which is suitable for our needs. The seats where 2/4/2 in the back of the plain, we choosed the 2 recline seats.
Behind us the passenger did not like it we reclined our seats ,she start kicking when she stood up grabbed my backrest she did few times until I asked her politely that assumed the recline is bothersome to her. Yes she's sad I did not like it. I point it out that in front of us the seats are reclined and they have the right to do so. She stoped bothering ,she calmed down herself as much as she slept over the meal time too:)
Please don't blame or be rude to those who want to recline there seats , the recline design is for reason .
If your needs are different being tall or you have medical conditions , look for seats where is no seats in front of you. Seatguru.com or travel with airways where no recline seats available .
The argument that if people were not meant to recline, the seats wouldn't recline is flawed.
If people were meant to recline, the seats would automatically be set at recline once the plane levelled off. If everyone was reclined, everyone would have the same space. However only the selfish arrogant people recline. They are taking up the space I paid for.
It does my head in. A typical comment is "I have a bad back so it's okay for me to recline and if you have a problem because you're overweight, you should pay for extra leg room ." That typifies the little shrews that steal my air space. Arrogant, snide and selfish - all of them.
If you are 6'4 and are buying an economy ticket, and expect the person in front of you not to recline, YOU ARE THE RUDE ONE. If you want to use a computer and expect the person in front of you to not recline YOU are the RUDE ONE. As far as i'm concerned the recline IS part of the "personal space" you pay for for a ticket. If you want a war, just demand that I don't recline and we can both be met by the police when we land.
If you are expecting to use your computer, buy a seat that will work. Most longer flights have Economy plus , or comfort plus and those are the seats you need to buy, you get more recline and more inches of knee space. Get real, your cheapness gets you the close seat.
I fly over 100,000 miles per year. these people that don't want you to recline are also the people that probably drive slow in the fast lane., and get indignant when people pass them on the right.
I've been traveling for years on domestic and international flights. Frankly, unless you are in First/Business Class in which reclining does NOT affect the seat behind you, I think it is the epitomy of rude and inconsiderate behavior to recline. To listen to some there is no reason to fret since if the person in front of you reclines you can simply recline as well and all is well. Hardly, as some have pointed out not everyone is capable of tolerating a reclined position AND those at the very back of the cabin can NOT recline as their seats are against a wall/bulkhead. I have been on a long, long international flight(s) from LA to Sidney, Australia (during which my travel companion had the person in front of her recline all but for take-off and landing!) and from Aukland, New Zealand to San Francisco (during which the person in front of me had the seat reclined to within like 8 to 10 inches from my face virtually the entire flight - I never knew I suffered from claustrophobia until 2 hours into the 10 hour flight I HAD to get out of my seat! or I was going to lose it). I'm against reclining except for medical necessity.
No, on a 6 hr flight it's not rude to recline. What's rude is the airlines making the space between seats smaller and smaller to fit more rows in, making flying miserable. The airline execs should be made to fly cross country in these seats. What's more: now we have to pay extra to have a seat like we used to have! Insult to injury!
I have several medical conditions which not only prevent me from reclining, I have to use a support pillow so that I can sit completely straight up, at a 90 degree angle. I make it a point to book a seat one row behind a bulkhead, so that the person in front of me has lots of extra room in front, and should not need to recline. I cannot use these seats myself because the tray tables pinch me painfully in my fully upright
position.
Although I make it a point to briefly explain my medical condition, offer to compensate the person in front of me with free drinks, or cash, or whatever, almost invariably he or she insists on reclining and stretching ALL the way out, no matter how much pain this causes me. The only way I can sleep I to lean forward, since I cannot physically lean backwards, yet I am the one who gets the nastiness directed at me by a perfectly healthy, selfish person. Yes, those 2-3 inches cause me a lot of pain, but in our less than gracious society, it seems that the Americans with Disabilities Act does not cover this particular act of torture. I do not see why it is OK for someone to cause me hours of pain to increase their comfort when they already have more than 3 feet of legroom. So yes, I do often have to stand and walk around on flights, because it is marginally less painful than being pushed backwards by someone else's seat. And tilting back does not relieve hip problems, I know this because my husband, who has several hip problems, would never THINK of tilting back and disturbing another passenger.
I find it extremely rude to recline. In all my travel I will not do to the person behind me. Two laptops were damaged because someone jammed the seat backwards. The airlines should indicate during the safety presentations to ask those who will be rude to tell the person behind them that they will choose to be rude. Pity that my long legs have to be stuck right up that persons spine when they choose to recline. Funny how sometimes they change their minds.
All about the "Me Generation"
I cannot believe I even have to respond to this. I live in America. I have the right to free speech. Just because I have the right to free speak does that mean I should speak any rude thing that pops in my head. Restraint, reflection and consideration for others should determine our actions.
What makes you think it is OK to recline your seat as far back as it will go so that I cannot work on my laptop or use my tray for a meal? One of you said the airlines should not build planes that should not allow the seats to recline at all or at least not so much. What happened to consideration of others? No wonder Trump was elected.
Just because we CAN does not me we SHOULD.
"It's nice to be asked and to ask" I usually ask the person behind if is OK to recline my seat, I have never been refused. What gets my back up is when the person in front reclines at speed I have been hit on the head several times by these seat throwers whilst I was bending down to retrieve something out of my bag.
So please people be courteous and ask before you recline.
My ticket purchased a space that includes a drop down table that I can use to do work on. When someone reclines their seat into MY purchased space making it impossible to use the space for its intended purpose, they are stealing from me. They are thieves of not only my paid for space and amenity, but also of my time. The airlines should do away with reclining seats all together. There is not the space for them anymore.
You have the right to recline your seat into my knees. I have right to move my knees! If that makes you uncomfortable, you put your back there! You can fix it! You have the right to voice your opinion. But I don't care what you say! The fact that I made you loose your cool just eggs me on to do it more! Leave your seat up, or if you feel someone's knees just ask. Clearly you're hitting the person behind you. If you continue to do this with no regard for the person behind you then why should they show any regard for you? Let's try and start showing some mutual respect and things will go a lot smoother. Also for the medical reason, again, you're putting your relief over mine. If people work together they should be able to figure it out.
I am not skinny Minnie but also I am not morbidly obese. I am disabled I have had people jam their seat backs into my legs and the tray table into my gut. I paid for this space which you are trying to invade stay out of my space! It may be an inconvenience to you but for me it is extremely painful
What most people do not know is that there is a button underneath and at the back of the armrest of the aisle seat which allows the armrest to be raise up. This allows for the aisle-seat passenger to have a little more seat and leg room. If you can't find it, ask the flight attendant. It can be a life saver.
IMHO, that personal space behind me, which some passengers seem to claim as their own, actually belongs to me unless I choose not to use it. Otherwise, there wouldn't be any button enabling such use for reclining.
I wholeheartedly agree with 6' 4" P. Butler's comment that "The argument that when someone in front of you reclines 'their head is in my lap' is simply not true". If it were even close to being true, you can be damn sure no airline would have reclining seats anywhere.
Having said that, if someone behind me politely asks me to accommodate them by sharing SOME of that space or even temporarily sharing ALL of the space required for me to recline, I would feel obliged to work out some mutually beneficial arrangement.
However, be warned that using a Knee Defender without asking me first, kicking me in the back, pissing and whining or cursing me out won't get you anywhere. It will only incur my wrath. In that case, see my "Name" (above) for your answer.
I agree that people have become incosiderate and rude in recent times. At 5'5" I don't need a great deal of leg room but still struggle on most economy flights so I fully sympathise with taller passengers. With regard to reclining seats I find that it is impossible to eat my in-flight meal when the seat in front is reclined and cannot understand why the person in front hasn't taken this into account. If you extend the attitude of " I can therefore I will " to everything then things are going to become decidedly nasty. Having said this I recently travelled on a Thomson flight that had been streamlined for extra comfort and I found it to be a good experience.
I am 6'4" and I fly somewhere from 60 to 90 segments a year. I used to get upgraded, but with the US-AA merger, I seems there are fewer upgraded for people like me. The argument that when someone in front of you reclines "their head is in my lap" is simply not true. Airline seats, especially in coach, just plain don't recline that far. At 6'4" I don't notice a significant difference in space between an un-reclined versus reclined seat in front of me. Accordingly, I recline when I fly. Not once has anyone had the balls to ask me not to. Sure, on rare occasions they've dug their knees into the back of my seat or made noises when I recline, but in my opinion that is extreme over reaction on their part. I think they are more upset about the perceive slight than they are about the actual loss of space.
I have a damaged spine and sitting too upright for long causes me severe pain. I don't want to infringe on others so I recline just enough to take the strain off my spine but not to block those behind me from using their computer, eating or being comfortable. I never recline at mealtimes and will go upright when the person is getting out of his/her seat for the bathroom or whatever.
I don't fly that often. However, the worst experiences I've ever had while flying is when the person in front of me reclines into my lap. We all know that it's going to be a cramped space anyways. It's only for a few hours (minus international flights which I've been on as well). There's nothing worse than trying to get out of your seat but you've got someone in your lap.
I think they need to take away the ability to recline all together. That would resolve a lot of issues with passengers.
I've never been able to sleep in moving vehicles (an advantage when I'm the driver). Instead, I bring a book
on planes, and read constantly. When the seat in front of me is fully reclined, my book is too close for me
to see the print clearly. I push my book against the seat ahead, keeping it from reclining. If the passenger in that seat complains to flight attendant, attendant sees the problem and tries to move passenger to another
seat; or explains that "sometimes seats won't recline". I fly as little as possible, preferring trains, or driving
myself (even on long trips-being retired I can do this). COURTESY and COMMON SENSE should always rule.
Follow the example of MOST flight attendants in this regard.
Having worked for an international airline years ago, I read most of the above comments noting that many are over four years old! I flew prop planes many times but that was back when people used common sense and flying WAS fun and a delightful experience. Planes were made more for comfort than the almighty dollar$$$. Today's world is full of very rude people of all sizes/ages. Selfishness is the NAME of most today with little courtesy for the fellow passenger. I agree with one comment that ALL SHOULD BE WELL GROOMED AND DRESSED APPROPRIATELY WHEN TRAVELING PERIOD! Keep your manners ahead of your anger!!
I find that on long international flights, I have come to despise families with small children that recline the seat back for the entire flight thus forcing my knees to be splayed outward. Never to be put in front of me again for the rest of the journey. I get up to see that the passenger in front of them is not reclined and they are enjoying full space while I count every minute of torture. I have to pull on the seat back to get up to use the rest room, I stand as often as possible and I just stare at my reduced space and keep looking at their thoughtless heads. Once one mother slammed the seat back into my knees that I was using to block the seat from reclining. I had fallen asleep and she made sure that I woke up. She never even said, sorry. Just looked at me like it was my fault. If I had slammed the seat onto her knees, I wonder what kind of hell would have broken out then ? Of course, some passengers don't know enough yet to lock the restroom door yet so what can one expect ? Opening the door and finding some old lady with henna painted hands and feet that doesn't understand English, perched up on the toilet seat with both feet is a sight not to be forgotten at 33,000 feet. Now that is a real waker upper. One that will send you back to that cramped space to whimper quietly until arrival at your destination.
My husband and I are both tall and have issues when the people in front of us recline. We have been nice and requested they not recline as doing so pushes their seat more so into our knees, which are already against the back of their seats. Their pushing back is frustrating for them and painful for us. We try to upgrade our seats when possible, but there are times when there is no upgrade available to Economy Plus or Business Class. Hence, that is not always a solution.
The plain lack of common courtesy these days is amazing. So many people claim to care about others, but that changes in less than a heartbeat when it comes to flying. Its all about me. My arm wrest, my leg space, my ability to recline, my need to exercise in the aisle and show my sweaty underarms to the world and share my body scent. Oh how disgusting.
We wouldn't think of going anywhere without being clean, dressed in clean clothes, have body wipes with us for longer flights and our manners no matter where we go. Manners don't cost a thing and the return can be incredible.
I usually have no problem, but my 6'6" husband does. My husband usually has to put his size 14 foot in front of me in my floorspace & his other knee extends into the aisle. He has an artificial leg becauee he's a below-knee amputee & the foot and ankle don't flex much. On our last flight, the woman in front of him kept trying to recline and she pushed as hard as she could, and bruised my husband's knees in the process. I asked her to move her seat up so that he could spread his legs farther apart, she just looked at me & kept shoving. Very rude. Exit row seats are difficult to get as we aren't frequent flyers, nor can we afford the extra hundreds or thousands of dollars to upgrade our seats.
The airlines should have planes that are smaller seating area to not recline anytime.
Also maybe if the seats did not recline back as far as they do now .
But then again there will always be some people to annoy us some time not matter where they are.
Like the character Rosanna, Rosanna Danna used to say on the show Saturday Night Live, "It just goes to show ya, it's always something!"
I have the back pain problem if required to sit upright.
Someone else is tall.
Then there are the children that kick the back of your seat.
There are crying babies.
Snorers.
Body Odors,
Loud talkers,
On and On........do what you can to help yourself...I select my seat option early, have ear plugs and eye covers and neck support. I switch seats to help tall people, I switch seats to allow chatty teens to talk side by side instead of yelling down the aisles. Most of all, I pray for the parents who are trying to help their babies from crying. Regarding all these "whining" adults, who can't cope with "inconveniences" during flights, I would say, "Go to see a counselor. It is all about your mindset. Accept what you cannot control, do what you can to help yourself, and then let go. Perhaps reflect on the marvels of modern travel to see so many parts of the world by plane."
While exiting the plane on the first leg of what was to be a 49 1/2 flight (rerouted literally around the world as a result of the volcano in island) the tip of my shoe got caught in the uneven gap between the plane and the jetway. I fell and broke my ankle. After visiting the infirmary in the basement of Dubai's airport (beautiful, state of the art, and no charge) where I received excellent treatment, I was told that I needed to elevate my foot to prevent blood clots or be hospitalized in Dubai until it was deemed safe for me to fly. Since I was travelling alone and had visions in my head of ending up with no money or passport and becoming a story on Dateline, I opted to continue on with my foot elevated. The woman seated behind me, who had been on the same trip with me, and witnessed my fall, through a fit because I attempted to recline my seat! I think common sense and compassion should prevail and if all else fails, recline your own seat to regain those precious 4 inches of space!!!
Only selfish morons put their seats back. End of story.
I am astonished by people who say that the passenger ahead has no right to recline a seat that was designed to recline. At least on the airlines I fly, even a full recline does not prevent me from using my tray for eating or supporting my I-Pad. I rarely recline myself because it doesn't make me more comfortable. If you want more space in front, purchase premium economy, Business or First. Don't try to limit the rights of other passengers. Another option is to fly on some super cheap airlines that don't have reclining seats. Don't be surprised if a flight attendant ORDERS you to stop blocking the passenger in front of you from reclining if you use some device intended to prevent it. By the way, it is violation of law not to follow lawful directions given by crew members. Push them too far and it is possible that you might be removed from the flight at the first opportunity or even arrested.
Sure you can recline if you paid $300 for a ticket. You can also pass nasty gas and pick your cute little nose on the plane as well. Hey, take your smelly shoes and socks off while your exercising your God-given rights. On the other hand, I'm 6' 4", weigh 240#, and I have a torn meniscus and I sat on a NYC to Chicago flight yesterday - in coach - with a "recliner" in my face for SEVEN HOURS (issue with the weather as you probably surmised). It's especially frustrating when you ask the person in front of you not to recline and they indigently ignore you - like yesterday. Go ahead - recline and feel the power of snubbing your nose at good form and proper etiquette. By the way, I have never reclined assuming the person behind me also paid $300 and would like to enjoy the flying experience.
if i am paying 300.00 or more for a flight ,iam going to recline;
I had bad experiences with overseas travel. I was on the end seat but the passenger in front of me reclined. I had to use the WC but couldn't get out of my sesat without raising my hips over the armrest and contorting my body to get out. I think thepassenger ahead of me also was asleep!!!
For medical reasons i have to recline or i am inpain for weeks .
fortunately, the dry air on planes makes me cough quite a lot - I don't have a bug, just a dry throat - so coughing over their faces (while they are practically looking up at me with seats fully reclined) and frequently rearranging my very long hair so that it dangles in their faces - tends to work pretty well - however, I do restrict these tactics to meal times - otherwise go ahead and sleep you lucky folk who can sleep on planes
When the person in front of my economy class seat reclines his or her seatback , I HAVE to recline mine in order to breathe, squirm or whatever. The space between the two seats is so small that reclining is the only defensive strategy.
I flew back from Hawaii. I was seated on the very last row...my seat did NOT recline at all. The person in front of me reclined as far as he could. That left me barely breathing room, let alone moving room, on a very long flight. It was like his head was lying in my lap. I think that person should have shown a little consideration and not reclined quite as far. I did not scream, cry, or grab the guy, but I spent a miserable night and feel that, since I paid for the flight, just as others did, I should have had some rights and comfort. Had I been a prisoner in chains, I could not have been more miserable. I do NOT intend to fly that airline EVER again.
When I put my knee against the seat in front of me in order to keep the guy from reclining into my lap, he called the Flight Attendant over and complained and the Flight Attendant told me I had to let the guy recline all he wanted or they would have the police meet us at the airport and arrest ME!!!! The guy in front of me smirked and had his seat as far back as possible all the rest of the trip which was over 7 hours. I was incensed but didn't want to see if the Flight Attendant would actually call the police
I believe that one should at least give the person a heads up that you are going to recline your seat. If I notice that they are eating - I will usually wait. Do on to others as you would like to have done onto you.
It comes down to common courtesy and manners. There is less and less room on planes and less and less mannered people these days. Yes, some people have back problems so they say they need to recline the seats, but they should still ask before they recline. There is someone seated behind those "back problem" people. That person behind them could have had knee surgery. Or, that person seated behind could possibly be 6'7". I am tall; when that reclining seat comes down, there is NO room; I cannot move. When I have to get up to go to the rest room, I have to grab that reclinning seat in front of me anyway as that seat is now in my face as I stand. But that person wouldn't know that, as that person is completely clueless and "peacefully" and "comfortably" reclined.
Have the courtesy to ask if the person behind minds if you recline and also NEVER recline your seat during a meal. To do otherwise is bourish.
I personally find it extremely rude to recline a seatback at times other than those when people are trying to sleep on overnight flights. If your seatback is reclined over my foot space, I am not going to be able to stand up without clinging to the back of your seat as I shuffle sideways in a crouched position to attain the aisle. Checking in with the person behind you before reclining, even at night, is common courtesy.
Given that most coach seats recline a total of 3 or 4 inches these days, it is not a big imposition on the passenger behind you to recline. Doing so does allow you to dose off without your head pitching forward repeatedly as happens in the upright position.
I have a bad back so it is extremely painful for me to sit in those seats in an upright position. I do NOT recline it all the way back and bring it forward for eating if I'm awake. I've flown on a plane with non-reclining seats and I was in agony during the flight and for days afterwards, living on pain meds. Sorry I "invaded" your space but my back has priority with me. And don't tell me not to fly if the seats are an issue for me. That's not a solution to the problem at all. You CAN"T drive everywhere! And I'm not rich enough to afford a higher class seat. Come up with a "real" solution if you want to, not some knee jerk reaction that isn't a real solution.
As a 6' 5" tall person who has had teenagers recline and talk all flight and my tray table rests on my legs all flight, my knee will be in your back all flight. For the lady complaining about armrests, by your logic if you are in the center seat you have no armrests. Not happening, share or take your car. Don't start me on people on a late night flight who seem to need to have the light on.
Absolutely no reclining at meal times, or on flights longer than 90 minutes if there is a passenger behind you(as in a "full flight", or someone who has paid for extra legroom(as in Economy Plus/equivalent.) My husband, 6'4" with a bad back and shot knees, have had people not only reclining, but literally bouncing in their seats on transatlantic flights(from California. to boot.) Leg bones cannot bend or flex!!! (Diet and exercise will not change the length of one's bones.)
There have also been too many times when passenger(s) beside you think nothing of reading newspapers fully open(yes, double pages) or someone eating with 6-8 inches of elbow extended over your meal. Not only NOT NICE... bu excruciating for the one who's paying for someone else's comfort.
On some airlines, even on international flights, there is so little space left when the seat in front is reclined, that one cannot even get up to stretch or use the bathroom.
The only solution is to ring for the attendant, so that he/she can deal with the person who becomes unruly or combative when asked to make his seat upright. I cannot understand those who think it OK to recline during meals. On many flights, the table is in one's lap. and the food tray may not even fit on the table.
The real problem is the "me, myself, and I" people. The ones who will not cooperate with anyone.
I never recline my seat. One might argue that if the person in front of you reclines, then you can recline your seat. But eventually the people sitting in the last seats, who can not recline are forced to endure a very cramped space. In my opinion, if everyone can not recline than nobody should be allowed to recline.
On long international flights, meals are usually served. Please do not recline during meal time. Surely, most people lean forward when they eat anyway. I would like to be able to lean forward and eat without getting the hair of the person in front of me in my food! Thank you!
It's been quite a while since I've had to fly any where and this whole debate has me extremely thankful that I haven't had to fly, but also extremely skeptical since this June I will be flying some where. That being said, if you happen to be sitting in my lap when you recline, I'd like to apologize in advance for sneezing all over your face and head. The pollen is just so bad and my allergies are just awful . . . I'm not saying you or I can't / shouldn't recline, just saying you may want to take some of that airborne before the flight.
I have always reclinded my seat and will always continue to recline in the future. All your discussions or "reasons" against it fall on deaf ears. If you annoy or threaten me in any way I will ask airline personell to become involved. As a former flight atttendant I can assure you that reclining one's seat is not a violation and will be allowed. You, on the other hand could be reported to the Captain as a threatening passenger, and that spells TROUBLE. Might I suggest you just recline too? That way you have the same amount of existing space.
Seats in economy are now so uncomfortable that reclining the seat is the only way you can be moderately comfortable during a flight. It's the passenger's prerogative to use the recline button. Not having this feature on an international flight would be unthinkable. I recline my seat but do ensure that I put it back in an upright position during meal times although I have never noticed that my meal tray is affected by a reclining seat in front of me. For the taller passenger, yes, it is unfortunate that you have to squeeze into economy seats but the majority of people have to cope with that situation nowadays and the person in front of you isn't being selfish by reclining the seat. Selfish to me is failing to discipline noisy and active children and bringing smelly pets onto a flight.
I have carried my home made recline preventer for years. It is wood and TSA has never questioned it. It sits between my legs braced against my seat and the back of the seat in front of me. I am 6'2 and if the seat is reclined into my space I am stuck. There is no reason for the sets to recline. They provide no benefit to normal sized people.
I have never before heard such self-centered, rude and inconsiderate behavior. You want to exerise your right to recline your seat and the rights of the person behind you be damned. APPARENTLY, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WITH THE RIGHT TO BE COMFORTABLE! If someone behind you just had his meal dumped in his lap, I guess that's his tough luck. After all, YOU have a right to be comfortable.
I believe you have no right to recline as it's very unpleasant to sit with the reclined seat in your
lap.There are people who love to recline during meal time and that is even worse.
Until the airlines decide to give us back some of the space that we lost a long time ago no one has a right to recline but if you must it is polite to ask permission.
IMHO - my purchased space includes my seat and the space between the upright seat before me, and from the ceiling to the floor, and by designation by the airline company, the space below the seat in front of me and the floor.
It includes a fold-down table designated for my use that I can use for eating, placing my laptop, or other materials that I choose to use, esp with the provided lighting, during the course of the flight.
If you choose to rudely throw your seat back, and actually, I am encountering this LESS, I will probably tend to block and remind you that you are endangering my laptop, etc, and unacceptably affecting my use of the space. Of course, on an overnight flight, I respect the need to carve out a bit of sleep, and I join the group that carefully checks backward of me, and slowly lower the seatback after checking or asking the person to rear of me for permission.
For the folks who suggest their right to lower their setback and take away my "desk", will they allow me to sit on their lap to use their table? Doubt it, and who gave them the right to more than one seat area? I also bring down the seat arms to assure that larger folks, including my dear wife, don't impede on my limited space. It's hard to be comfy and sanely pass the time, and I'm quite comfy rather upright - don't we all fall asleep at our computers or upright in front of the TVs?
Take the button away.
I have travelled very often for over 45 years. I have experienced expensive flights, 1st class flights, business or executive flights and , after my retirement, and also because I simply cannot sleep aboard, either a short or long flight, I fly economy flights and spend my money with better hotels, real entertainment, at my destiny . While aboard, I try not to punish other passengers by keeping my seat light on at night , therefore I cannot read while other passengers sleep . So, I watch a minimum of 2 films, hear music and try to enjoy all programs offered by the onsite TV. As far as I can remember, when the meals are served, the crew advises all passengers that they should keep their seat in the upright position. Of course, those who are sleeping do not hear the advice, but , unless they have never travelled a long flight, they should know that this is a rule aboard. I only would suggest that those who are feeling problems with their front seat passenger should call the steward(ess) and ask him(her) to call the front seat passenger`s attention. This would avoid the problem. But the sleeping person cannot or should not complain. these are the rules of the business!!!!
I also wish to comment based in my personal experience, I travel a lot alone and I am a woman, that 80% of male passengers that unluckily ( for me) seat next to me, feel they have the right to put their elbow in the rest arm between seats and most of the time do not care if they hit me with their elbow.
What do I do>? I take upon me the unpleasant task of calling their attention, my next door
paxs have reacted in very different ways.What amazes me is that most of the time they act like
Wow, I did not knowI was hitting your ribs.......
I would love to hear more comments on this subject, it has come to a point that I have asked when choosing my seat to please be seated next to a woman. We are much better at this.
There is a button therefore I get to use it? Is that supposed to be an argument or a cry for help? There are also emergency exits and some older planes still have ashtrays. So if the airline puts th there... Don't you dare. Personal space on planes has been shrinking for years now but, apparently some people's expectations have not kept pace.
What ever happened to common courtesy, respect and thoughtfulness. When wanting to recline my seat, I can look behind and see if its going to bother the person behind me, ask them if I can put my seat back and certain degree. Likewise, I can courteously ask the person in front of me, to put the back up slightly to accommodate both of our needs.
On a flight from Florida to AZ I had my flight changed at check in to another and my seat did not recline and had little leg room. Sadly, the seat in front of me did recline and I had the most miserable flight ever.
I explained poliltely my predictament to the fellow who was mostly in my lap but he not only refused to return to the upright position, he cursed me for requesting this!!!
The flight was full and there were no other seats available. This airline forever lost my business!
My correct vote would be, "recline except for an hour while at meal time". If no meal is to be served, then do as you please!.
I usually find that most offended parties would be larger, taller, overall bigger people than me (I am 5'2). Obviously! for them the space is not proportional distributed but that is something which I, as fellow passenger, have no control off nor should I be made to suffer sitting upright the entire flight, just because by the 'grace of my genes' , I do fit on my airline appointed chair!. Take up with the airlines. What now?Should airlines be made to split cabins into "up to 5'6 and 150 lbs" and so forth sections?
BTW my biggest issue with airline sitting, is when if by pure luck, a larger person would seat beside me, and assumes that since I still have room left on either side of my seat, he/she is entitled to "invade it", for some "rude" reason they feel entitled to 'my paid for or reserved for, space'. Good luck! Trying to ask an attendant to request that, they lower the arm rest (or remove their overflowing, muffin top) from my seat and for the entire flight!.
Now ... how about we discuss what should be done for when there is a passenger with offensive BO?
I just got back from a trip to the Philippines. I flew an Asian airline there and an American airline back. In both cases, the steward(es) politely told people that they had to return their seatbacks to upright during meal service. This seemed like the best way to handle it as it doesn't put passengers against each other.
I personally defend my space by using my knees to prevent the person in front of me from reclining - most people give up after about 10 minutes. I've never had anyone say anything, although I have gotten dirty looks.
It is only common sense and politeness to fully recline only at certain times, for instance avoid reclining when they are serving a meal. To put all the blame on the airline is in tune with today' attitude to avoid personal responsibility. There is a door at the elevator but it does not mean that people should rush in before the people who is inside can come out. Neither is the elevator company responsible.
I travel a lot and recline a little often but before fully reclining I think it twice.
I beleive it is your right to recline, with some reasonableness and a little courtesy. Can go a long way. I have been the victim and wittnessed those who slam the seat back to full recline without warning and with enough force to spill drinks. We are all trapped in the same tube can't we simply be nice (in your mama's terms) and engage in basic manners. (That also should apply equally to interactions with and from flight crews) Those simple principles could make flying a bit better for all of us.
Use the recline is yours but use it slowly and carefully. Seat backs eat laptops!
I tend to forget to recline until the person ahead of me reclines then I shift my space aft accordingly. I still have what I paid for... just at a different attitude. Perhaps others need an attitude adjustment as well. ;-)
The airline is responsible for the seats - AND for the space between the seats. The sold, and I purchased, a seat with the ability to recline - and thereby to be a bit less uncomfortable. I do not propose to give up that modicum of comfort without good reason. Actually, the airlines are now in the process of "solving" the "problem" by diminishing the amount of recline available on many of their planes. Increasingly, the available recline is so small as to be almost negligable.
The person who demands the right to recline whenever they want to is just the person against whom the knee defender was designed to protect other travelers, and who deserves most to have those behind them using it. If everyone on the plane came from the same town and all knew each other, there would likely be less of a problem. Inconsiderate behavior is at least partly a consequence of anonymity.
With the lack of space today on all airlines, I think it is rude. I am 6'4" and have no room for my legs. Everyone knows the lack of room, so why would anyone recline their seat?? SELFISH in my opinion
I paid to use the seat and I WILL recline in it except at meal times. I had someone keep hitting my seat because it was reclined. I finally told him to stop as I had paid for the seat and I would recline. He did quit and left me alone but it was extremely rude in my opinion. Plus what if the person in front of you has reclined their seat-you NEED to recline yours to get some space.
I agree that flying (any class) is not what it used to be and and is getting more uncomfortable. That said, I believe that the seat reclining button is there to be used. Many of us have back and hip problems that are only relieved a tad, on a flight, by changing positions. The seat button is our only relief now that it is verbotten to stand or walk around on flights.