Reclining seats on Airplanes

[Jersey Boss]

So this has been a hot topic as of late. I was wanting to hear what this community has to say on the matter. Personally I feel that if the airline sold you a ticket for a plane that has seats that recline, the holder of that seat is the one who should have full control of that option. What do others say?

[jerrywall]

So this has been a hot topic as of late. I was wanting to hear what this community has to say on the matter. Personally I feel that if the airline sold you a ticket for a plane that has seats that recline, the holder of that seat is the one who should have full control of that option. What do others say?

I mostly agree. With anything in life, a little common courtesy goes a long way though. I'm 6'1", long legs and fairly big, and I've never been bothered by someone leaning their seat back. That being said, I'll typically ask the person behind me if he minds if I lean it back, and even then, I'll only lean it slightly. No need to go all the way back.

I think it's worthwhile to note, (sort of a side note) for those folks who complain about the shrinking seat space... airline tickets are 50% of what they were 30 years ago (adjusted for inflation) yet costs such as fuel are up significantly. The airlines have to make it up somewhere and getting more seats on the plane is the way they've gone.

If you want the leg room of 30 years ago, upgrade to the better classes. You'll still be paying less 30 years ago, and you'll get nicer seats.

[Richard at Remax]

I think they should only be on planes of a certain size, aka ones that make loooong flights.

Another thing I notice is many don't ease back, they just slam it back. Saw two drinks fly on laps this past week to and from Vegas.

Common courtesy goes a long way. I was on the last row on the SFO-OKC united flight and someone slammed it back on me. I literally had ~6" from the front of my nose to the back of their seat. He was a small person and I asked nicely if they could raise it back. Got a snarky "Im tired and need rest. Should have bought a better seat." Thanks bro.

[TheTravellers]

I think they should only be on planes of a certain size, aka ones that make loooong flights.

Another thing I notice is many don't ease back, they just slam it back. Saw two drinks fly on laps this past week to and from Vegas.

Common courtesy goes a long way. I was on the last row on the SFO-OKC united flight and someone slammed it back on me. I literally had ~6" from the front of my nose to the back of their seat. He was a small person and I asked nicely if they could raise it back. Got a snarky "Im tired and need rest. Should have bought a better seat." Thanks bro.

A knee (moving around just a bit, not a full-blown one) in the back of the seat every few minutes might've helped. "Gee, sorry, just readjusting myself" Or it could've made him go complete wacko. I would've taken the chance. :-P

[PennyQuilts]

I don't care if they recline but I wish people weren't so frantic to do so at the earliest possible moment and as deeply as they can. They seem mentally ill or afraid someone will take away the right. I personally don't recline out of courtesy but, granted, I don't have a bad back (thank god) and my legs are dwarfish. In fact, I couldn't knee them with my knees if I wanted to. I prefer to annoy people by crawling over them to the bathroom.

[kevinpate]

... Got a snarky "Im tired and need rest. Should have bought a better seat." Thanks bro.

This is one of those moments where an ability to pass gas at will wouldn't necessarily be an embarrassing affliction.

[damonsmuz]

I don't mind people reclining...but as a courtesy... check with the person or at least inform them behind you before you go slinging the seat back.

I flew this past Monday from CDG-ATL and had a guy in front of me recline his seat back and forth at least 20 times during the trip. It was annoying...especially when I had the trey down w/ food and drink.

I'm fine w/ him reclining...but a quick heads up would have been nice.

[venture]

The biggest problem with reclining seats for me is that the placement of the tray table is impacted. I would much rather see seats actually slide forward if the pax wants to have an increased recline to their seat.

However, at the end of the day I really think - especially with the economy product in the US on most airlines - the recline is just a few degrees and really does nothing substantial. It is mostly just going to be mental satisfaction and not and actual physical comfort. Airlines should remove the option from all standard/base economy products. First/Business/Economy-on-steroids...can all keep it and have a more substantial recline that actually does something. It is just a waste for everything else though.

[Stew]

I never much thought about it either way. When folks reclined into me I never for a second thought ill of them nor did I ever give it a second thought when I reclined into someone. Pretty much flying sucks no matter what so take a hand full Xanax and get over yourself.

[Jeepnokc]

My understanding is the ones that were fighting were seating in Economy comfort where they get 4 extra inches of space. It is a shame that adults have to act this way.

[Clown puncher]

I never much thought about it either way. When folks reclined into me I never for a second thought ill of them nor did I ever give it a second thought when I reclined into someone. Pretty much flying sucks no matter what so take a hand full Xanax and get over yourself.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[bluedogok]

Reclining is rude for the most part because they have reduced the seating room to pick up another row of seats, so the airlines bear some responsibility for creating the situation. On most planes where they have crammed more seats in they should lock out the recline mechanism. If someone reclines under my face I start coughing, I have a pretty loud and harsh cough.

I took the United regional jets from Denver to Louisville, literally my knees were in the seat from the start and there was no "better seat option" available. I have long upper legs, the last time that I tried to ride a roller coaster (Frontier City) I had to sit almost sideways. On the flights after that I switched to SWA because I had a little more room even though I had to fly through Midway, that was better than putting up with United. Whenever I flew Frontier I would get the Stretch seating.

[catch22]

I always used to be uncomfortable on flights, then I learned a trick to feeling comfortable:

Sit correctly in the seat. As uncomfortable as they are, if you are sitting in them properly (I.E. your butt up against the L) and your back upright the seats are quite comfortable.

Last month I flew IAH-LAX in Economy in United, second row to the last of a 737-800, in the middle seat. I sat perfectly upright in the seat and sat in a good posture and felt very comfortable despite sitting upright. Legroom was great because since I was all the way up against my seat, my knees were just slightly past the seat, allowing me a good 5-6" inches between my knees and the seat in front of me. And I didn't recline my chair, I just used up all the chair space how it's designed and it afforded me a comfortable ride and more legroom. By slouching down in the seat you leave some chair behind you and take up more space in front of you, thus feeling even more cramped.

I'm always uncomfortable trying to slouch in the seat, it makes it worse. Sit straight up and read a book or play on your iPad and you'll feel comfortable.

[FighttheGoodFight]

This whole thread just reminds me why I hate flying.

[td25er]

I never much thought about it either way. When folks reclined into me I never for a second thought ill of them nor did I ever give it a second thought when I reclined into someone. Pretty much flying sucks no matter what so take a hand full Xanax and get over yourself.

Pretty much agree with every word of this post.

[jerrywall]

I always found a visit to the airport bar before a flight to be helpful for my comfort.

[onthestrip]

To immediately recline as soon as they allow and not go back upright until descent is jerk thing to do, even more so if you arent actually sleeping. Ive pretty much stopped reclining all together unless there is nobody behind me or a really small person. The inconvenience to the person behind is greater than the comfort you get by reclining. I basically look at it with the golden rule in mind, I dont want my knees and legs cramped, so I dont do it to the person behind.

I will say, Im loving these national stories about these seat conflicts. Maybe it will pressure the airlines to stop cramming more seats in a plane!

[Tigerguy]

I always used to be uncomfortable on flights, then I learned a trick to feeling comfortable:

Sit correctly in the seat. As uncomfortable as they are, if you are sitting in them properly (I.E. your butt up against the L) and your back upright the seats are quite comfortable.

I second this. Sitting correctly can make quite the difference. Flew a LAX-Newark redeye some time ago and my lower back pretty much felt like a spot of concentrated death. Had a LAX-JFK redeye some time later and I kept it in mind to sit correctly. I got more sleep and I didn't feel like requesting a wheelchair when we arrived.

As for reclining seats, I can't remember the last time I did so; the recline doesnut make much difference for me. Didn't even recline on a recent CRJ-200 flight.

[MadMonk]

I recline, but only slightly and I expect the same from those in front of me; but I've never had any issue with people reclining. I really hate flying in a middle seat though.

[Mel]

I hope I never have to get on a airplane ever again. This limits my options for traveling but I would just rather drive wherever I can reach. The USA has a lot to enjoy. I would love to go to Australia if I could afford a Secured gurney on the jet with a M.D. administrating a propofol IV.

[poe]

I personally never recline my airline seat. But, in a month, I'm flying to London, and I will most likely recline a bit since it is a 9.5 hour flight. I will probably be courteous and ask the person behind me if he or she minds, like a nice Okie should.

[Mel]

Bring a good book and some antivan.

[BBatesokc]

No idea what airlines some of you are flying on but I think most of this is in your heads.... I fly all the time within the US and at least a couple of times a year internationally. My tray is always down and usually my laptop is sitting on it and open. About 70% of the time the person in front of me reclines their seat all or nearly all the way back. The most discomfort it causes me is a slight readjustment of my computer - no overturned drink cup and certainly nothing even close to the person's seat near my face (I'm 6' 180lbs).

Additionally, I often recline my seat and I've never heard the person behind me even so much as grumble or breath hard with disgust.

Flying does suck. Nothing about it is pleasant, but I can say, the reclining habits of myself or others is nowhere near the top of my discomfort list. But maybe I'm in the minority.

[bombermwc]

The thing doesn't go back that far anyway, so I'd rather just see it upright the whole time. The recline doesn't seem like much to the person in the seat, but it's a MAJOR impactor on the row behind them. Using the tray for eating or a laptop can make either task incredibly difficult because of elbow room. If airlines hadn't moved the chairs closer together to reduce the row room, this wouldn't have been a problem. Good luck trying to get out to the bathroom when one of the seats on the next row up is reclined. Some airlines are cutting out the ability to recline at all....and I like that. Even on 10 hour flights across the big pond, reclining my seat didn't help me sleep or stretch or anything to any helpful degree.

[Bullbear]

I don't enjoy the person reclining his chair in front of me as it usually crams into my knees.. I am 6'3 and have very long legs.. I don't care how I sit in an airline seat there just isn't enough room for my legs and I just try to do my best. I never have a fit as I figure its their right to have it reclined. I am sure they get knees in the back from me re-adjusting but its not intentional its just how it has to be because I have to move them into different positions. being a bigger guy flying is not that much fun.. first class makes all the difference and I upgrade whenever I can.