Uncle_Bob

The latest in flight gadget, love it or hate it? should it be allowed?

scrubbedexpat091

It should not be allowed, the seat doesn't belong to the passenger, it belongs to the airline, and as long as the airline permits the seat to recline, no passenger has the right to prevent a seat from reclining.

The whole reclining thing is so overblown, I have never had any issue with space when someone reclines, and I am tall and still manage to have a comfortable flight. Some people have just become too self absorbed.

Hotscot

I consider about the person behind me and don't recline even internationally.
Hey..that's me...

However...I think the airlines should make seats seats non reclinable.

Pulaski

I agree, at least in the seats with the least leg room. They shouldn't be allowed to cram so many seats in if they recline.

Pulaski

I'm not sure how tall you are, but I am also tall (taller than some NBA players) and usually in economy seats my knees are pushed against the back of the seat in front, making it impossible for the seat in front to recline. As far as I am concerned I, or my employer, has paid for that space and as I can't take my legs off and put them in the overhead bins, the seat in front of me isn't going to recline, it just can't.

ChocolateBabz

The dude is now an impressive 6'3" he has built in knee defenders, they're called knees.

Our last flight LAX - IAH, there was a woman in front of him who 'self soothed' all the way back by rocking rhythmically the whole flight with her ear buds in. The hubby wanted to say something but obviously we are British and stoically kept quiet and averted our eyes. It was amusing watching the guy across the aisle from her shoot her disapproving looks. One of the trolley dollies passing out our in-flight refreshments actually said 'hmm you're really getting into the groove'.

Nutek

If I buy a ticket and the airline gives me a recliner, I'm not going to feel bad about using it.

Giantaxe

I'm respectful about reclining and rarely do so. But I would be pretty pissed off if someone used a mechanical device to prevent me if I wished to. I see some airlines have banned these things; all should follow.

Jan Alaska

I tend to wait until others recline their seats but there is always one passenger who boards the plane and immediately goes into sleep mode which is just so inconsiderate. If airlines don't want folks reclining then they need to fix their seats in position (Ryan air do), meanwhile if a seat reclines then paying passengers have the right to recline.

Hotscot

Of course you have the right.

But it's a question of being considerate. I feel that's a personal matter though.

Yorkieabroad

I'm with Nutek, Jan on this. If its reclinable, I don't think a passenger should be made guilty for using that facility. I never recline unless/until the person in front does, then there's the domino effect down the plane...Before I recline, I check behind to make sure there's no laptop blocking it or whatever, and often that person is a "domino killer" anyway, having had the audacity to recline out of turn

Reclining doesn't bother me - what does irritate though, is when people don't put the seats back up at mealtime. I always do, and if the guy in front doesn't, it makes it mighty hard to fully appreciate the gastronomic delights before me... Years ago, the staff used to ask people to put their seats up as they served the meals, but I don't see that happening these days..

Michael

Most airlines have 31"-34" space between seats in economy class but Ryan Air, Ukraine, and ArkeFly only have 30". Easy Jet, Thomas Cook, and Air Asia are the smallest with only 29". I suspect if this becomes a big issue, all airlines will use that as an excuse to eliminate the recline position and cram an extra row or two of seats into economy class.

Each inch savings per seat is probably an additional row of seats.

World Airline Seat Pitch Guide | SKYTRAX

SmallShinyAnt

Never recline unless i'm in business and then I take the flight laying down because I can and it does not affect anyone.

Bob

What's annoying is when someones reclining so far when it's during dinner service, so the tray table can't come down, or if they ditch their food early while you're waiting ages for your tray to be cleared and you get the seat in front slamming back so you get smacked in the face by your tray as the table smacks your knees.

Hotscot

Taking a different tack.

Does anyone get significant benefit from the recline?
I know I don't and even when flying internationally I can't be bothered fiddling with it. Just leave it up.

I can sleep upright albeit with my head lolling a bit.