Have you ever had an issue with people reclining their seats on an aircraft?

Posted by FinalBv@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 584 comments

Just saw a video of a girl with her seat reclined, and the guy behind her putting his knees into the back constantly. This then turned into an altercation where both thought they were in the right. The girl because the seat was allowed to recline and the guy because he had no room. Now to me i'm of the opinion the girl who was reclining shouldn't have but understand she has the right to do so.. How are you supposed to resolve a situation like this? how can someone be in the wrong here?

Reply to Post

Reply

584 Comments

[-]

Ukbutton@reddit

I'm 6'5" on some airlines I can't physically fit if the seat is declined.

Reply

[-]

mikewishesdeath@reddit

so you make sure you buy economy plus or emergency exit seats right?

Reply

[-]

Ukbutton@reddit

Depends on the works travel policy, but quick question because of my physical state I should be paying more for travel?

Reply

[-]

mikewishesdeath@reddit

Yes. So should fat people, or anyone else outside of the normal standard deviation. Your argument is that because of your physical state, the person in front of you shouldn't be able to use their seat the way they paid for. So why should they be inconvenienced because you couldn't pick a seat you fit into?

Reply

[-]

Ukbutton@reddit

So it's my fault I'm tall? So disabled folks should pay more?

Reply

[-]

mikewishesdeath@reddit

It's not your fault, and it's not the fault of the people in front of you. The person who chose the seat in front of you had no way of knowing you're 6' whatever, but you did. That means they have full use of their seat, because you knowingly chose one in which you could not fit. You know you are tall, you bear the onus of picking a seat in which you fit, or shutting up about it. As for disabled people, it is the same deal. Nobody else has foreknowledge of their condition. So why should they be punished for someone else not planning on their accessibility? Again, I'm not saying you shouldn't be allowed into a regular seat. I'm saying you shouldn't be allowed to restrict others from leaning their seat back, and I'm certainly saying I don't want to hear you complain about it.

Reply

[-]

BothIndependence3801@reddit

I’m from the US, I travel a lot domestically for work. In one year I became a premier 1K member with United purely from purchasing main cabin/economy seats (its the only seats my company will reimburse me for) just to illustrate the amount of traveling you must do to achieve this. I’ve done this job for 4 years now. I’ve had numerous times where I am asleep on the tray and someone would recline on me without asking and my head gets pinched between the seat and tray lol. But I don’t make a fuss or feel the need to make a comment to the person as I know that these features are available for everyone. I’ve also never had anyone ask me if they can recline, as well as me asking anyone for that matter. Since I was a child, it’s just been a silent rule that reclining is okay. Last night on a redeye flight from Dallas to Houston (flight time was about an hour, arriving Houston at 12:30am), was the first time I had a verbal altercation with a woman who kept kicking the back of my seat because I reclined. These chairs only move about 1-2inches anyway. It’s a whole other story to physically assault someone in their seat. To me it seems that the people who are against reclining are starting to make this into a public matter. Instead of just communicating that you feel uncomfortable, why is it that your first thought in your brain is to start kicking the back of the seat as if you’re a toddler? I’m not sure if this woman got the idea from the video you mentioned OP, as I have never seen this and looked up this reddit thread solely from this interaction. Final thoughts: if you do not enjoy people who recline their seats sitting in economy/main cabin — pay the extra dough for a seat with more leg room. Or purchase budget airline tickets that doesn’t let you recline your seats anyway. If you are uncomfortable let the person in front of you know rather than going full Neanderthal?? And if that person tells you fuck off after communicating with them, ask a flight attendant if there’s an empty seat somewhere else because this overreaction is fucking ridiculous.

Reply

[-]

abfgern_@reddit

Imo, you should never, never, not ever recline your seat if someone is behind you, and I'd be embarrassed if I had. Its so rude and selfish to restrict someone's personal space to increase your own comfort by such a small amount. Doubly so if the person behind is tall and doing so obviously discomforts them physically.

Reply

[-]

high_stumpage@reddit

On a long haul flight overnight that is just not on. The person behind can recline and get the same amount of room as before but the person in front has a minor chance of getting some sleep. Don't really understand the reasoning here.

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Not everyone wants to be at a 45 degree angle, if they watching tv, eating etc

Reply

[-]

ChrisRandR@reddit

The TV angle can be changed.

Reply

[-]

treadonlego@reddit

The angle of my knees can’t be.

Reply

[-]

ChrisRandR@reddit

The angle of the TV can be though.

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Exactly

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Is that how you watch TV at home? Reclined at a 45 degree angle with the TV angle at 45 degrees, too?

Reply

[-]

ChrisRandR@reddit

An aeroplane isn't a home, silly.

Reply

[-]

Down-Right-Mystical@reddit

Maybe I'm being really thick here, but I don't see how reclining yourself gives your knees more space.

Reply

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

You're not being thick, the only thick people are folk who think reclining your seat gives you extra leg space.

Reply

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

The person behind the initial recliner doesn't gain any extra leg space by reclining their own seat.

Reply

[-]

mikewishesdeath@reddit

nah, you must be a noob at flying. You know what you're getting into when you buy economy. if the space is that much of an issue spend the extra hundred bucks for economy plus. Meanwhile, my chair is going back, and I am going to sleep.

Reply

[-]

phflopti@reddit

When I'm flying 12 - 14 hours I'm going to recline my seat, as does pretty much everyone else in economy. I've never had anyone get mad about it, as its universally understood as normal long haul behaviour. When you recline, you should certainly do it slowly, and not in the middle of food service. Apart from that, the way I be mindful of the needs of long legged travellers is to avoid booking the extra legroom seats.

Reply

[-]

spidertattootim@reddit

If you recline your seat to the same amount then you haven't lost any personal space, and you will be more comfortable. Your way of thinking just ensures that everyone will be less comfortable than is necessary.

Reply

[-]

abfgern_@reddit

A) my knees will be crushed theres not enough room to begin with, B) I want to use my table/laptop/screen

Reply

[-]

spidertattootim@reddit

> A) my knees will be crushed How tall are you? Unless you're very tall you should be able to get your knees *under* the seat in front of you if you stretch your legs out.

Reply

[-]

bigwillyman7@reddit

never ever not recline... so you should recline

Reply

[-]

Down-Right-Mystical@reddit

Just missing a comma. 'Never, never, not ever, recline' is a perfectly valid negative.

Reply

[-]

bigwillyman7@reddit

The ever was not there originally

Reply

[-]

Down-Right-Mystical@reddit

Funny, the comment doesn't say it's been edited. Maybe you just read it wrong.

Reply

[-]

bigwillyman7@reddit

Comments don’t say when they’ve been edited

Reply

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

They absolutely do.

Reply

[-]

bigwillyman7@reddit

yup fair enough that seems to be right - the grace period is definitely longer than a minute though!

Reply

[-]

Down-Right-Mystical@reddit

* Sure they do.

Reply

[-]

bigwillyman7@reddit

Please check the 2 I added in at the end of my last comment in anticipation

Reply

[-]

Down-Right-Mystical@reddit

Maybe only certain subs do it, then, but I've definitely seen it. https://preview.redd.it/o7sz61vq1sze1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fc0add238cb32c31c465979f0bc0bd3043b3060

Reply

[-]

bigwillyman7@reddit

Fair enough can’t argue with that! But i definitely didn’t read it wrong :)

Reply

[-]

abfgern_@reddit

If you want to be pedantic I used 3 negatives so It's still valid.

Reply

[-]

CouchAlchemist@reddit

I don't know if you travel on long flights but sitting upright for long journeys (4+ hrs ) is just back breaking. The chairs allow a recline and if everyone reclines, the available space doesn't change. If it was a problem for majority of the folks travelling, seats in a flight would not have the recline feature imho. I have travelled in smaller planes where you cannot recline but they have been 1 hr journeys and that is acceptable for majority of folks.

Reply

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

>the available space doesn't change. The available leg space absolutely changes.

Reply

[-]

Nikotelec@reddit

>if everyone reclines, the available space doesn't change At face level, yes. It doesn't matter whether I recline or not, if you recline you will crush my knees.

Reply

[-]

reocoaker@reddit

If you recline your seat on a short haul flight you're a dick.

Reply

[-]

ChrisRandR@reddit

I disagree.

Reply

[-]

reocoaker@reddit

Do you walk and quack like a duck? 🦆

Reply

[-]

ChrisRandR@reddit

Pathetic.

Reply

[-]

whosUtred@reddit

I also disagree

Reply

[-]

treadonlego@reddit

I agree.

Reply

[-]

MarvTheBandit@reddit

Airplane seats shouldn’t recline. Unless it’s fancy like business or first where there’s not someone centimetres behind you.

Reply

[-]

JustMMlurkingMM@reddit

So you never took an overnight flight in economy where you had to work the next morning? Most people want to sleep at night, it’s not easy to do if you are sat bolt upright. The deal is if the cabin lights are out you can recline, if they aren’t you probably shouldn’t.

Reply

[-]

Ok-Train5382@reddit

If I have to work the next day, I book the day off. Fucked if I’m going to fly all night and then work. Even if I get to sleep on a plane it’s shit sleep because you’re always getting woken up for one thing or another.

Reply

[-]

ShefScientist@reddit

my employer would not let me do that.

Reply

[-]

JustMMlurkingMM@reddit

That’s you. Other people manage, or don’t have a choice.

Reply

[-]

idontlikepeas_@reddit

I can! It’s my RIGHT to put it back as I paid for that seat. But I DONT because it’s an inconsiderate thing to do. That to me is the answer.

Reply

[-]

ShefScientist@reddit

I can't sleep unless it is reclined, so it has to be reclined on an overnight flight. And I paid for the right to do that.

Reply

[-]

luffychan13@reddit

No. Airlines shouldn't have seats so close together that reclining is an issue.

Reply

[-]

Lanthanidedeposit@reddit

Its an option, but of course it costs. Just done a 16hr but paid dearly to avoid the knee pain.

Reply

[-]

Useless_or_inept@reddit

If you're willing to pay for it, you can get much more space. But most people want the cheapest possible seats, then they act all surprised that their 35p Ryanair flight has less legroom than an Austin Mini, they're allowed to carry on one (1) Rolo, and the cabin crew communicate with snarls and occasional spitting.

Reply

[-]

Honkerstonkers@reddit

I often find the Ryanair crew much nicer than British Airways crews, at least in economy. I’m sure everyone would choose to fly business if they could afford it, but most people can’t.

Reply

[-]

luffychan13@reddit

Ok corpo apologist. Equally, if you don't want people reclining on you, you should go and spend more on business class. Business class can be 3 to 5 times more expensive than economy. It's not about "willing" at all. Congrats for living up to your user name though.

Reply

[-]

MarvTheBandit@reddit

Yeah this is the obvious answer. But they’ll never do it.

Reply

[-]

AhoyWilliam@reddit

A budget carrier in Europe (Monarch) upgraded to non-recliners, but unfortunately went bust (I suspect unrelated to the seats). They weren't bad seats tbh, and they had more legroom than the older recliners had (even when those were upright) iirc.

Reply

[-]

luffychan13@reddit

I just think it's short-sighted to blame other passengers trying to get whatever comfort they can when it's the airline that has created the situation. You're right though.

Reply

[-]

Lost_Haaton@reddit

They'd likely do it if the money was there, you have your first class afterall. But give someone the option between 2 airlines one giving 10cm of extra leg room ant the other knocking £600 off your round trip of flights, you'll find a lot of people will want to pocket the £600.

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

I do agree, if there isn’t space to recline, then seats shouldn’t recline. At the same time, I am not going to get upset at someone who does recline on a flight that has reclining seats.

Reply

[-]

BugPsychological4836@reddit

"At the same time, I am not going to get upset at someone who does recline on a flight that has reclining seats." Really? what if your tall and your knees are knocking on the seat infront before its reclined

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

So just recline yours!!! Problem solved. I’m 6’2 never had a problem.

Reply

[-]

skinlo@reddit

I'm 6ft 4in and have.

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

I would say that is on you. Considering the male average height in the uk is 5’10 you should be looking at business class, paying extra legroom, not flying … or suck it up. Why should others have to conform to your granted not exceptional height?

Reply

[-]

skinlo@reddit

You want to pay? Nah, I'll just continue to sit normally and my knees will stop the seat reclining.

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

Would you expect someone obese to book 2 seats to avoid spreading into their neighbours seat? As far as I am concerned, this is no different. You know you are tall getting onto the flight, it is incredibly selfish and entitled to have bought a seat in which you know you will be interfering with someone else’s seating.

Reply

[-]

skinlo@reddit

It's not my fault I'm tall. I can fit in the seat when its up (just about). I've paid the same as the person in front, I'm allowed the same comfort as them. I don't deliberately push with my knees or make myself take up more space, it's just my hip to knee length is long enough so often my knee is wedged against the seat in front if they want to recline. If you want to petition being 6ft 4in as being a disability, I'll fully get behind you, maybe they'll have to make accommodations for me.

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

> I've paid the same as the person in front, I'm allowed the same comfort as them. Do you though? Have you paid for an amount of comfort? Or for a seat with a set amount of features and space? Should you also get a little bit of their in flight meal, do that you can feel the same amount of full after it? (Ok, that is a bit of a reach, but you see my point, I hope). You have both paid for an amount of space, and a seat that reclines a small amount. You are taking the space associated with their seat reclining as your own, that doesn’t feel fair.

Reply

[-]

Lanthanidedeposit@reddit

But it is OK to discriminate against a person on his physical appearance or ability. Got to go for the lesser evil. Feel free to recline if there is room, but if physics gets in the way. (I paid a lot extra to get around this on my last long haul and it worked a treat)

Reply

[-]

skinlo@reddit

If we're getting pedantic, I guess I'm paying for a seat with a certain pitch. My understanding is that that pitch is measured with the seat up, not down. So if we're going by your analogy, they're taking a bit of my food, because they're reducing the pitch of my seat. I don't get that space back by reclining myself unfortunately.

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

That is slight misunderstanding of what pitch measures. It’s not a measure of space, but rather the distance between two equivalent points on the chair, and is normally measured at the floor level, aka between the front legs of one seat to the next. It is critically not a measure of leg space. So you are paying for a seat with pitch of 32”, and a recline of 8 degrees. The space you end up with is a function to those two things, and the thickness of the seat back. So no, them reclining does not change the pitch of the seat you have paid for.

Reply

[-]

ObviousAnimator7299@reddit

This. Seats in front of me can't recline.. I can guarantee my knees that are locked against the seat are stronger than the force you can push back with

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

Whilst this is probably true, this is also an outrageously entitled and selfish approach to take.

Reply

[-]

ObviousAnimator7299@reddit

Selfish for me to say that you trying to recline your seat won't work? Is it not selfish for a person to try to recline whilst they know my knees are touching the chair?

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

If I sat with my arse half in your seat you could sit down properly, is that not selfish of me? You are you saying you would be selfish for trying to sit down while my arse is blocking your seat?

Reply

[-]

ObviousAnimator7299@reddit

No I'm saying that you adding a luxury (reclining) to your life is selfish for someone who is trying to just survive a flight. In your example, it's like you on a train with your feet up on the chair opposite that I want to sit on. Yes I can still sit down, but it'd be selfish to keep your feet up

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

You see, I fundamentally disagree. If you have a reclining seat, then the ability to recline is part of the service you have paid for. To block me from reclining the seat, in my opinion, is akin to you having your feet on the chair on the train. It’s entirely a perception issue. From my point of view you are selfish, and from yours I am selfish. There isn’t really any amount of discussion that will change either of our opinions because they are equally valid and based in feeling alone.

Reply

[-]

Material-Loss-1753@reddit

I'll take that challenge

Reply

[-]

ObviousAnimator7299@reddit

Google suggests a force of around 4000 newton's is required to break a femur bone

Reply

[-]

Lanthanidedeposit@reddit

Not exceptional says it all. It's not exceptional so we should be able to sit in our seat.

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

I know I am tall before I book a flight, so I make sure to book extra leg room seats. I am not going to get annoyed at someone else for acting in a acceptable way that I could fully anticipate and account for.

Reply

[-]

MarvTheBandit@reddit

Yeah that’s it seat reclining shouldn’t be an option in economy. But yeah same I wouldn’t say anything to the person in front of me who does recline. Just curse their family for the duration of the flight.

Reply

[-]

slade364@reddit

Surely if everyone reclines, there's no issue?

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

No, because sometimes I need to work with my computer on the tray table. If the person in front of me reclines, I can't see my computer screen. It sucks.

Reply

[-]

Ascdren1@reddit

That's what business class is for.

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

Indeed, however most companies that might be flying employees around have rules about when you can book business. My employers is very, very generous compared to averages, but I can't book business on a flight less than 2 hours. So, no that doesn't work

Reply

[-]

Clean-Owl2714@reddit

If you need to work, there is a space in the airplane dedicated to that, it is called business.

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

Indeed, however most companies that might be flying employees around have rules about when you can book business. My employers is very, very generous compared to averages, but I can't book business on a flight less than 2 hours. So, no that doesn't work.

Reply

[-]

RagingSpud@reddit

Is that why they have beds as well?

Reply

[-]

mrfouchon@reddit

How did I never make that connection? I am not a smart man.

Reply

[-]

Southern-Orchid-1786@reddit

No, tall people's knees have nowhere to go, and it's incredibly painful to have something forced into your knee caps

Reply

[-]

Dimac99@reddit

The back row doesn't have the ability to recline.

Reply

[-]

kursneldmisk@reddit

Sure it does.

Reply

[-]

apainintheokole@reddit

I can't sleep on flights - so never recline.

Reply

[-]

skinlo@reddit

There is, because reclining doesn't make your legs get shorter.

Reply

[-]

AgentPresent7518@reddit

Not all seats recline though, so it's unfair on them. If all seats didn't recline, only then is it fair

Reply

[-]

MariaBelk@reddit

Except not everyone can recline. The last seat on the plane doesn't always recline. Also, my husband is tall enough that it is simply not possible for the person in front of him to recline.

Reply

[-]

ramapyjamadingdong@reddit

Legs don't just shrink if you recline. People can be tall and economy seats are so close together that reclining forces you to have knees crushed for their comfort.

Reply

[-]

RagingSpud@reddit

I find the economy recline is more unformfortable than not reclining at all, so trying to sleep with the recline is guaranteed low back pain

Reply

[-]

TheoArchibald@reddit

I've only said something once on a flight from Thailand to London once because I literally had no room. I asked this woman to move up and then she obviously took offence and swapped seats with her boyfriend who did the exact same thing and got an absolute bollocking from me. An 11 hour flight with someone sitting on your knees isn't ideal, when you're 6'4 in economy and they had already reclined the seat a little bit. He didn't bother to do it again, and the airline staff just gave me a few drinks to stop swearing at him - think calling him an f'n thick c wasn't my most polite moment 😂 So yeh, I don't think reclining a seat is acceptable in economy.

Reply

[-]

monkyone@reddit

imo it’s more about duration. long haul is one thing. people that recline their seat as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off, on a 90min european flight? dickheads

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

95% of European flights do not have reclining seats. It’s is almost exclusively long haul. Only exception is if the odd time a long haul plane is used for short haul.

Reply

[-]

Clean-Owl2714@reddit

Bullshit, only the price fighters don't recline. All mayor flag carriers have reclining seats.

Reply

[-]

No_Tangerine9685@reddit

This is wrong. Lots of BA’s short haul fleet now have “fixed recline”.

Reply

[-]

RDN7@reddit

BA is as bad as easyJet for short haul European though. They are, really now a budget carrier in all but price.

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

Most European airlines have replaced their short haul seating with non-reclining options in their most recent cabin overhauls. What we see, though, is that not every plane on every route has been overhauled yet, and so there is still some variation. BA, for example, are replacing their seats, a they newer planes never came with reclining options at all.

Reply

[-]

Liquidfoxx22@reddit

Every single short haul flight I've been on has reclining seats - and they're all narrow body planes.

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

Name the airlines?

Reply

[-]

Particular_Olive_904@reddit

Aer Lingus have reclining seats on narrow body

Reply

[-]

Liquidfoxx22@reddit

KLM, Eurowings. Can't remember if Ryanair did, but I booked an exit row seat so they don't ever recline.

Reply

[-]

DarkLordTofer@reddit

Pretty sure Ryanair's don't recline. Although we were only on the plane two hours.

Reply

[-]

Honkerstonkers@reddit

Ryanair hasn’t reclined for a good 15 years.

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

Eurowings only has reclining seats on the a330. Used for long haul flights. Not short haul.

Reply

[-]

Liquidfoxx22@reddit

OK, but KLM fly their E190, A321neo, 737-800 and all those have reclining seats. They fly a hell of a lot in Europe.

Reply

[-]

Honkerstonkers@reddit

Finnair, British Airways, SAS, Norwagian as well but I haven’t used them for about 8 years so that might have changed.

Reply

[-]

MacaroonSad8860@reddit

what? I don’t think I’ve been on any european plane short or long haul where the seat isn’t a little adjustable

Reply

[-]

Acerhand@reddit

I thought shirt flight planes were different and the seats barely recline more than 2cm… longhaul it is a necessity and it reclines much more

Reply

[-]

Sufficient-Flan-8097@reddit

“if you recline your seat in front of me you’re a dickhead” you’re literally anti social and need to grow up. so many people suffering with arrested development.

Reply

[-]

Evening-Physics-6185@reddit

Entitled dickheads

Reply

[-]

Loud_Fisherman_5878@reddit

Long haul is okay to do during sleeping times I think. People who leave it reclined for the entire flight are taking it too far though

Reply

[-]

BugalooShrimpp@reddit

I just did a 14 hour flight, and the person in front of me reclined within 5 minutes of getting on and didn’t move it until the end of the flight. Was so frustrating! I make a point of asking the person behind me if they mind me reclining, more out of courtesy than anything.

Reply

[-]

fat_mummy@reddit

The person in front of me did this, and didn’t put it up during food service. I had to ask them as they were sitting up, could they move their seat up

Reply

[-]

anabsentfriend@reddit

I had a 13 hour overnight flight. Once everyone had had their meals and they dimmed the lights, I did recline. The people behind me did as well. I couldn't have sat bolt upright all night. I wouldn't recline for any flights under 5 hours, especially day flights.

Reply

[-]

Loud_Fisherman_5878@reddit

Yeah, after dinner and when they dim the lights is fine in my opinion because most people will recline and try to sleep. It’s the time before and during dinner that it is annoying to have less space.

Reply

[-]

whosUtred@reddit

As someone who flys regularly and has back pain, I’m reclining that fucking seat as soon as possible & couldn’t give a shit if the person in front does the same

Reply

[-]

Southern-Orchid-1786@reddit

You say that, but if it literally crushes your knees when they recline, they need to have some civility and not recline

Reply

[-]

dave_gregory42@reddit

I always try to book the rear bulkhead seats for this reason. They don’t recline as much, but it’s completely guilt free.

Reply

[-]

Draggedintosunliight@reddit

I'd rather sit as far away from the toilet as possible and sit 90° the entire flight.

Reply

[-]

kryters@reddit

Turbulence is generally more severe at the back of the plane; I try to get as far forward as I can

Reply

[-]

Jcw28@reddit

You're a better person than me then, because to my mind just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. The seat may be able to recline, but everyone with an ounce of common sense knows that in doing so you're going to impinge on the space of the person behind and make them uncomfortably squished. To me, if you knowingly do that it just shows you're a selfish jerk.

Reply

[-]

duskfinger67@reddit

I would hold your judgement. I also do recline my seat from time to time… The way I see it, if you have bought a seat that reclines, then the space required for it to recline is your space, not the persons behind you. It’s the only way it makes sense. It’s like on a train, when the 4 seats face each other. A person can absolutely fill the space past the halfway line, and it is available to them, but that doesn’t mean it appropriate for them to fill it. That doesn’t change the fact that reclining seats in cattle class are dumb, and the fact that there is this feature that will inherently create tension is stupid.

Reply

[-]

Dry-Magician1415@reddit

The idea is that if the person in front of you reclines and invades your space - you can recline and get that space back. Then of course you can get the daft situation where because one person near the front wants to recline - the other 15 people behind them either have to as well (even if none of them want to) or take the hit on the loss of space.

Reply

[-]

Southern-Orchid-1786@reddit

Everyone's forgetting the tall people whose knees are getting crushed by this game

Reply

[-]

ObviousAnimator7299@reddit

Doesn't work like that. My knees are against the seat in front often. If they recline, I'm fucked. Even if I recline, my legs are suddenly disappearing.

Reply

[-]

IdentifiesAsGreenPud@reddit

Only thing where I draw a line is having the person's hair hanging over my food.

Reply

[-]

stenmarkv@reddit

I always do a courtesy look behind to make sure they don't have their laptop open so I don't crush it by accident.

Reply

[-]

72dk72@reddit

The answer is simple recline yours as well then there isn't a problem.... like a Mexican wave , everyone needs ro do it!

Reply

[-]

abutteryflakeycrust@reddit

Fly to Australia and then revisit this comment.

Reply

[-]

greedychillie@reddit

Completely agree, it's about time the airlines realised it's the source of so much annoyance and removed the option entirely.

Reply

[-]

Not_a_real_ghost@reddit

We should force airline to provide better seating, not reclining because you were forced into a tiny seat for 1000 of pounds.

Reply

[-]

BanditKing99@reddit

Yeah sound, 14 hours to Singapore overnight and no recline. Sounds dreamy

Reply

[-]

Salaried_Zebra@reddit

Right, and I'm sure that the 3.41° of change in your seat back's angle makes it all the more bearable.

Reply

[-]

_indi@reddit

By the same argument, I’m sure a 3.41 degree change of seat back angle makes the seating behind so unbearable.

Reply

[-]

justolli@reddit

As someone who is ~6'1 I already don't fit comfortably into a lot of airline seats. So it goes from an uncomfortably tight squeeze to plastic digging into my kneecaps.

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

I’m 6’2. Never had a problem. Maybe if you keep your legs tightly pressed together. Just spread them a few inches. But don’t man spread. Now that is a serious issue unlike the issue we are talking about.

Reply

[-]

Honkerstonkers@reddit

It depends how long your legs are as well. Maybe you have a longer torso and shorter legs than them.

Reply

[-]

Ricky_Martins_Vagina@reddit

Same here 😂 going on like 6'1" is freakishly tall lol I'm 6'3 and rarely have a problem. Where I know it's going to be tight I'll plan ahead and select a preferred seat accordingly but fuck me I'd never berate someone for putting their seat back

Reply

[-]

_indi@reddit

Yeah fair enough. Maybe I’ve got short legs, I’m not as tall as you, only like 5’10, but I’ve still had a good few inches between my knees and the seat from what I remember, even with the likes of RyanAir. The only time I’ve reclined was my 10 hour flight to Bangkok.

Reply

[-]

skinlo@reddit

I'm 6ft 4in, it does.

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

I can't really see my computer screen on the tray table when someone has reclined. I'm not tall, but often I'm working on planes.

Reply

[-]

Admirable-Usual1387@reddit

Err, yeh it does?

Reply

[-]

BanditKing99@reddit

Better than none I guess?

Reply

[-]

Honkerstonkers@reddit

I recently flew to Tokyo and back and didn’t recline. I don’t find the reclined seat much more comfortable, and I feel sorry for the people behind so I don’t do it.

Reply

[-]

feckingloser@reddit

The original commenter must only fly business or first class to have this opinion lol

Reply

[-]

Ok-Flamingo2801@reddit

Or can't lay on their back. I don't find it comfortable, if I want to rest I either lean sideways against the window or rest my head on my knees. That's how I slept when on a school trip on a coach journey that took 24 hours (North England to Austria).

Reply

[-]

MarvTheBandit@reddit

I’ve actually never flown business far too poor for any of that. 😂 Being fairly tall economy seats already aren’t the best but i would never ask someone to stop reclining or kick someone’s seat about it though, the airline offers it so you can do it if you want, people don’t have any right to make it an issue. Got a 23 hour coach once and 12 hour coaches more times than I can count now that’s real torture.

Reply

[-]

Ballbag94@reddit

Or exclusively short haul and has no idea how shit an 11 hour flight can be

Reply

[-]

Ok_Investigator7568@reddit

When some fool reclines their seat and the screen is 5 inches away smh

Reply

[-]

apainintheokole@reddit

The reclining function was designed in before they cut back on space. For some reason they never got rid of it despite the reduced space behind.

Reply

[-]

Fattydog@reddit

On long haul, especially overnight, it helps. They should maybe just enforce upright seats during meal times?

Reply

[-]

Eyuplove_@reddit

They do don't they?

Reply

[-]

molluscstar@reddit

I couldn’t eat my meal on a flight back from South Africa because the man in front had his seat reclined for the whole 11 hour flight. Couldn’t watch my little TV either!

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

Again I find this hard to believe. I’m 6’2 and can watch my screen fine when the person in front is reclined and I’m also reclined. In regard to that passenger being reclined during meal service. I would ask the crew once then give them a tap to wake them up.

Reply

[-]

molluscstar@reddit

The crew said they couldn’t wake sleeping passengers. This was in 2006 on the way home from my honeymoon. Perhaps things have changed since then.

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

So just give them a tap to wake them up. Problem solved. It’s not that hard.

Reply

[-]

Eyuplove_@reddit

Doesn't the TV tilt?

Reply

[-]

molluscstar@reddit

Not in 2006! Well not enough to compensate for the angle he was reclining at anyway.

Reply

[-]

litfan35@reddit

Not really. Say you're a really heavy sleeper or have taken some... helpers to knock you out. You could elect to sleep through meal service, and flight crew won't wake you up even if it means you've reclined your seat. Especially relevant for stuff like breakfast where most people will have been asleep prior but not everyone wakes up when the lights go on

Reply

[-]

Eyuplove_@reddit

Ah ok it might be just certain airlines but on Emirates I've seen them wake people up to do it. I think anyway

Reply

[-]

GreatBigBagOfNope@reddit

Not universally

Reply

[-]

Sad-Ice1439@reddit

They should hand out neck stablisers. Or inflatable neck pillows, whatever you call them. Being properly strapped in so you don't slouch and with something supporting your neck so you can't flop your noggin is is surprisingly comfortable. If anything, this should be an argument for a 3 or 5 point harness to keep your body stable, but I guess the belt is all we get to not fly out of our seats and the rest is so much crap we have to swallow.

Reply

[-]

lostandfawnd@reddit

Agree, airline is at fault.

Reply

[-]

Next-Project-1450@reddit

I was flying out on a skiing trip one time. You know what those package tour flights are like - economy class. No knee room in the first place. In front of me was one of those people who had apparently never been on holiday before. Loud talking, bouncing around, showing off, the lot. He then got the idea of reclining his seat, since it was pretty much the only thing he hadn't yet tried. I politely said 'hey, mate. There's not enough room.' He muttered something then continued to try to recline. By this time, I'd wedged my knees in the back of the seat (which was easy, because they were already jammed against it). He spent the whole flight trying to push back, and I amused myself the whole flight preventing him from doing it.

Reply

[-]

spaceshipcommander@reddit

You mean airline seats should be spaced far enough apart that reclining 3 inches doesn't crush the person behind you?

Reply

[-]

senddita@reddit

It’s pretty rude imo, no harm in asking

Reply

[-]

whosUtred@reddit

Bullshit

Reply

[-]

MacaroonSad8860@reddit

it really depends on the seat pitch and the length of the flight

Reply

[-]

xboxhaxorz@reddit

Reclining is fine, its cramming the plane that is the issue I have muscle problems and if i cant recline it causes pain, discomfort, fatigue etc; and the price difference between economy and business is quite a bit This is the airlines winning, they convinced people that you shouldnt recline, the same way companies convinced americans to tip and for people to buy shiny rocks aka diamonds that were 3x your salary

Reply

[-]

fsv@reddit

For long haul it’s fair enough, but it’s impolite to recline until after meal service. No need to recline at all on short haul.

Reply

[-]

MagicBez@reddit

The benefit of reclining feels so much less than the negative impact of someone reclining onto you so on that basis I almost never recline, or do so only slightly and slowly. But basically all economy class long haul flights are a nightmare we're just trying our best to get through

Reply

[-]

Ricky_Martins_Vagina@reddit

Likewise - I only recline it a fraction just to take the edge off being fully upright. I actually don't find the 'fully reclined' position comfortable at all.

Reply

[-]

Dry-Magician1415@reddit

Short haul yes but long haul - nah.

Reply

[-]

WendyNacho@reddit

But they do unfortunately

Reply

[-]

LargePlums@reddit

Airplane seats should change angle. But they should be designed so that the bottom of the seat slides forward, so if you choose to recline you are taking your own legroom away, not somebody else’s. I have seen this once, many many years back.

Reply

[-]

lammy82@reddit

Some long distance trains in the U.K. work like this

Reply

[-]

Basso_69@reddit

Nonesense. Can I ask the ladt time you did a 27 hour flight?

Reply

[-]

Scart_O@reddit

It’s like two inches of reclining… don’t even know why it’s an option

Reply

[-]

ChrisRandR@reddit

I disagree.

Reply

[-]

jaarn@reddit

Flew back from Sri Lanka a few days ago via Dubai. On the Dubai to Manchester leg, our food got served first as we're vegetarian. As soon as it came out, the guy in front reclined his seat. Luckily only my drink fell off and split everywhere. I'm of the opinion that if you recline your seat on a plane/bus you're a bit of a knob.

Reply

[-]

Lanthanidedeposit@reddit

A big problem for me as I am tall. I suppose given all the privilege that this gives you in life its a small thing but I am sorry on behalf of the person in front of me, but two things cannot occupy the same space and I am not cutting my legs off for your convenience. I have in the past been forced to semi stand in my seat.

Reply

[-]

Lanthanidedeposit@reddit

At 189cm the seat can only recline as far as my knees. I'm not awkward about this, two things cannot simultaneously occupy the same space. Very unpleasant for all concerned and I have had issues in the past. Seats should not recline, and a lot of short haul flights do not have reclining seats.

Reply

[-]

uk451@reddit

If everyone reclines, everyone is more comfortable. Don’t recline during food.

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

No, for me it's not about comfort. I'm often working on planes, and if the person in front of me reclines it is harder to see my computer screen. VERY frustrating.

Reply

[-]

uk451@reddit

No meaningful work is done on a plane

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

Let's try that again "I don't get meaningful work done on a plane, but perhaps others with different jobs and work styles do!"

Reply

[-]

pringellover9553@reddit

Except the people at the back

Reply

[-]

plaguerpete@reddit

Incorrect, if I recline you have still crammed your chair into my knees so I'm still not comfy

Reply

[-]

QuizzicalSquid7@reddit

Yeah people who say everyone should recline are normally sub-6ft. My girlfriend is 5’2 and I’m 6’2 and our opinions on this are polar opposites

Reply

[-]

Dry-Magician1415@reddit

Easy solution could be that half the plane has reclining seats and the other half doesn’t. So if you want to protect your knees, book in the non recline section. If you want to recline, go in the reclining section and accept the guy in front of you might too. Airlines would just charge more for the reclining section though as some pseudo “middle class” so I guess we don’t want this.

Reply

[-]

Ozone--King@reddit

I believe the staff on the plane make everyone who’s reclined return their seat to upright position during food. Depends on the airline but Qatar airways were very good at getting people upright when they needed to be last time I flew and would constantly check on repeat offenders trying to recline their seat during food. Absolute pain when you’re watching a movie though and someone fully reclines in front of you, it basically forces you to also fully recline if you want to see the screen in any comfortable way.

Reply

[-]

amanset@reddit

Spotted the short person. Also, not everyone wants to recline. Maybe they want to watch something or, dare I say it, use a computer.

Reply

[-]

AhoyWilliam@reddit

I've seen photos of where someone's laptop was smashed by the seat in front of them reclining, as the back of the chair got closer to the tray table and basically just compressed the whole thing edge-to-edge. I can't really fault the person that reclined for reclining, nor for the damage, but I'm quite surprised it doesn't happen more often.

Reply

[-]

PipBin@reddit

The problem is that not all seats recline.

Reply

[-]

uncertain_expert@reddit

I unluckily was assigned the very back row once, which didn’t recline at all. The seat in front had the full extent of recline available and it was definitely not pleasant. If I’d been able to recline some way myself, it wouldn’t have been half so bad.

Reply

[-]

IntermediateFolder@reddit

Except that even if you recline your knees are still in the same position so not really.

Reply

[-]

knight714@reddit

Agree that seats in economy shouldn't recline. My personal policy is that I'll recline on long haul flights but only if the person behind me has reclined

Reply

[-]

Ok_Banana_7262@reddit

Seats recline, that is the point of them, so you can be more comfortable... the person putting knees into the chair is in the wrong, and the right step is to call the flight attendant to deal with the issue. I am a tall guy, most of the time I find seats on planes too small, but if I couldn't recline it would be worse!

Reply

[-]

CosyColouringBooks@reddit

On our flight to Tunisia last summer I was sat in the middle seat of our row and the bloke in front of my reclined his seat, he was a bigger guy as well so every time I stood up he would push on the back of the seat with his hands to turn himself around which pushed the seat even closer to me. It made me so cross, I asked him 2/3 times to put his seat back up but he didn't. After the 4th time of him getting up and basically squashing me, he came back and I told him he needed to put his seat up because and he was being inconsiderate. He did put it up but was huffing and mumbling about how he should be able to sit how he likes given he had paid for the seat...so after that I just ignored him before finally telling him that he was rude and inconsiderate. He was a bit of an arse tbf

Reply

[-]

D1789@reddit

Not personally, but a TUI flight I was on last year is the first time I’ve seen the crew highlight this… When meals were served, they put out an announcement telling people to put their seats upright for the meal, and they asked individuals who hadn’t yet to do so when going down the aisles with the trolly. I like that they did that. I get some people do/don’t agree with it, but the one time it is essential to have the seat in front upright is when your tray is down for food.

Reply

[-]

send-n0odles@reddit

BA usually do this, but last time I flew transatlântic the woman behind me refused to stay upright and the crew apparently didn't care enough to insist she move back up. The meal was a screaming hot stew. When I asked for an alternative that I wasn't at risk of spilling all over myself due to the proximity they made out that I was the one being an asshole 😒

Reply

[-]

_Pencilfish@reddit

hmm, strange. last time I flew BA the table was unconnected from the seat and pretty big, so even though everyone was reclined it wasn't a problem.

Reply

[-]

PortPiscarilius@reddit

BA operate several different aircraft types.

Reply

[-]

_Pencilfish@reddit

Yeah, I know - just surprised this isn't a feature of all of them. One would assume the designers could have envisioned this scenario.

Reply

[-]

send-n0odles@reddit

I've been on the types of plane you're talking about for domestic flights but this one was 16h total flight time with a stopover - I think they try to cram as many passengers as possible on there 😮‍💨

Reply

[-]

Proper_Cup_3832@reddit

This has always happened.....

Reply

[-]

animalwitch@reddit

I've had this on every long flight I've been on lol

Reply

[-]

MapOfIllHealth@reddit

I was thinking the same thing. I’ve flown a lot a can’t think of a single flight where the attendants didn’t insist everyone had their seat up for meal times.

Reply

[-]

animalwitch@reddit

Yeah! It's always seat up for: meals - take off - landing

Reply

[-]

Admirable-Usual1387@reddit

It’s like these people have never been on a proper flight

Reply

[-]

D1789@reddit

First time I’ve noticed it myself. May have been done previously and I missed it though. Just glad they do it.

Reply

[-]

Atpsahfl@reddit

I’ve had this on every flight I’ve ever been on when they serve food. Pretty standard practice to raise seats and to be told to raise seats during meals.

Reply

[-]

Curious_Ad3766@reddit

This has been the case for literally every flight I have been on (apart from budget ones which don't even have reclining seats)

Reply

[-]

D1789@reddit

Genuinely never heard it before on long haul. At least, never noticed it… Maybe I should take my headphones off more often!

Reply

[-]

Groundbreaking_Dare4@reddit

To the people upvoting this comment. Have you never fucking flown before?????

Reply

[-]

ImBonRurgundy@reddit

Every single flight that serves food does this and has done for decades

Reply

[-]

amanset@reddit

I had that on a FinnAir flight back from the far east a few weeks ago. Was new for me too.

Reply

[-]

BanditKing99@reddit

That’s incorrect, seats are designed so that the tray doesn’t move position whether the seat is reclined or not. They are on separate brackets

Reply

[-]

unseemly_turbidity@reddit

It's next to impossible to get in and out of a seat when your tray is down and the seat in front is reclined.

Reply

[-]

BanditKing99@reddit

Any wide body most definitely doesn’t have that problem. 747/777/A380/A350/787 etc allow you to recline your seat and have the same space when the seat in front of you is reclined

Reply

[-]

running_on_fumes25@reddit

And most people who take holidays are on short haul flights in narrow body planes. So reclining seats is an issue

Reply

[-]

auntie_eggma@reddit

No but you don't understand, it's not an issue on this specific model so it's a non-issue. /s

Reply

[-]

rosemaryorchard@reddit

However you can absolutely end up with the headrest almost directly above the tray without much room between. It's not always the case, but for those it then becomes a game of blindfolded twister to eat.

Reply

[-]

BanditKing99@reddit

Fly long haul regularly with work, most larger planes hold different brackets for tray and recline. As usual downvoted for actual life experience

Reply

[-]

Corsodylfresh@reddit

Yes the brackets are separate, however as a result the reclined seat leans back over the tray to an extent.

Reply

[-]

BanditKing99@reddit

On wide bodies it doesn’t

Reply

[-]

ReefNixon@reddit

You were downvoted for applying your anecdotal experience universally, unless you’ve actually flown every aircraft with every airline?

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Nope, not true

Reply

[-]

Reasonable_Blood6959@reddit

A lot of the new slimline seats are poorly designed enough that the tray table isn’t flat if the seat infront is reclined.

Reply

[-]

Zealousideal-Zone115@reddit

The airline?

Reply

[-]

misterbooger2@reddit

I just don't stop the kids kicking back of their chair and make sure I make grumpy noises and bash the chair any time I need to get up

Reply

[-]

TimeForPumpkins@reddit

I was in Japan recently. The Shinkansen has AMPLE leg room, even in standard class. On one train ride, the chap in front turned back and asked if I'd mind if he reclined his seat a little. I did not mind. He said thank you. That's how it should be. On the flight back to the UK (14 hours) chap in front of me threw his chair all the way back as soon as he was able. I much prefer a sturdy, upright chair for my back. So for the whole flight I watch Lord of the Rings six inches from my face. No courtesy, just "get stuffed, I got mine". Fine, let seats recline. But at least have the courtesy to ask the person behind if they'd mind.

Reply

[-]

SomeHSomeE@reddit

Yes I tend to recline on anything more than a few hours. I've never had anyone complain as I don't complain if the person in front reclines. I put it up for mealtimes until the trays have been collected, and I recline gently/slowly so I don't accidentally slam it into someone.

Reply

[-]

DreamsComeTrue1994@reddit

That’s the correct way to do it. Seats recline, screens in front seat do the same so they are still vertical when the person on the front recline. No problem with reclining, just be respectful on meal times. Now if someone needs more space, they can always pay for it.

Reply

[-]

DreamsComeTrue1994@reddit

It’s airline’s fault for not leaving enough space. They are taking the piss, if they were allowed to stack people in coffins they would.

Reply

[-]

BreezyBill@reddit

I’ve never been in an airplane where it really affected the leg room when the person in front of me reclines. It usually also does so in a way independent of the tray table.

Reply

[-]

Beartato4772@reddit

Unless I can detach my knees and put them in the overhead locker, on most planes if you recline they will be in your back because there is literally nowhere else for them to be.

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

I’m in the same boat. Sure, you can put your seat back if you want to but you will be making the journey more miserable for the both of us and there’s literally nothing I can do about it, so go ahead, stubbornly stick to your ‘right’ to put your chair back but just know that any annoyance you feel is 100% your own damn fault.

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

Some people are very very uncomfortable without the seat slightly reclined due to back or neck issues. Literally nobody is doing it just to annoy you, or out of stubbornness! Its a tin can with too many people crammed into too small spaces, if everybody cuts each other some slack it will be much more pleasant.

Reply

[-]

GuerrillaGreen@reddit

You can fuck off with that shitty explanation. People 6ft or above such as myself suffer for the entire flight regardless. When someone reclines into us it is pure torture. Fuck your back or neck pain

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

Why does being tall mean you deserve to have your comfort prioritised and considered by others but having back or neck pain doesn't?

Reply

[-]

GuerrillaGreen@reddit

You're looking at this the wrong way. I'll happily sit non-relined with my knees stuck into the plastic back of your seat for 3 hours. But when you recline it you're literally pushing my shins out of my kneecaps. I'm only 6ft btw. I've also paid for extra leg room before and it was the biggest scam I've ever seen. Our 2 rows were filled with 6ft+ people with an extra 2 inches over the usual economy passengers it made no difference at all.

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

That didn’t answer my question

Reply

[-]

GuerrillaGreen@reddit

You're just... an idiot if you can't figure it out. Would you like me to cut 2 inches off my shin bones and make myself shorter just so you are able to recline your seat to elevate your neck/back pain? Why is your inherited pain worth more thinking about than genetics? We literally cannot help what height we are... jesus christ tough crowd

Reply

[-]

GuerrillaGreen@reddit

Also, we can't control that we're tall. There's no remedy in the world for that. If you have back and neck pain so bad you can't sit normally in a chair for 2-3 hours then maybe go to some form of doctor to fix that? I can't fix my height

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

I don’t think you understand back and neck pain. I don’t have it myself but I know full well it’s rarely that easy to fix

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

Oh I know, airlines are fully at fault for all of these issues. Height is a bit of a curse in these situations though as it’s a double edged sword; if you’re tall enough for your knees to be pressed against the chair you’re also going to be too tall for the headrest to offer any proper support so you end up with the neck pain too!

Reply

[-]

MadWifeUK@reddit

One of the few benefits of being 5ft nothing is that I have never had a problem with people reclining their seat! Put it in full recline, it won't reach my knees.

Reply

[-]

DucksBac@reddit

Yep I'm one who'll be in pain with the seat upright but also in pain and jammed in, if the person in front reclines. For a longer flight, I simply can't go economy. (So I haven't been anywhere for a while!)

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

Ahah I’ve had to have the ‘I’m tall, not minted’ chat with people multiple times when they pipe up with: why don’t you just upgrade?

Reply

[-]

rocketscientology@reddit

This also gets really difficult on long haul flights. They shut all the blinds and turn the lights off to encourage people to sleep and I think it’s very unreasonable in that situation to expect someone to sit bolt upright for 8+ hours to give you a bit more legroom.

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

This is where the problem lies though. To avoid yourself being in discomfort you choose to put someone else in discomfort - I’m not saying that’s the rationale behind why you do it but it’s the end result no matter which way you cut it. It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone except the airlines who make more money out of treating us like sardines.

Reply

[-]

shark-with-a-horn@reddit

I'm not in discomfort when the person in front reclines, I'm short. So it's clearly situation dependant and not as black and white as you're saying it is

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

This entire thread is about chairs being pushed back into people’s knees so maybe, just maybe, it isn’t about you?

Reply

[-]

shark-with-a-horn@reddit

Well you said that they "choose" to put somebody in discomfort. That's not true, you can't tell who's going to be in discomfort and who isn't unless they tell you

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

… right, because when you push your chair back and feel their knees digging into the chair and keep it there that’s not a choice? Literally no one here is talking about the instances in which you put your chair back and feel no resistance.

Reply

[-]

WittyLanguage5172@reddit

I do 10hr flights every 3 months and I have NEVER reclined my seat.

Reply

[-]

Eyuplove_@reddit

You should try it.

Reply

[-]

wongl888@reddit

Wait, if they recline their seat too, they will have exactly the same space between them and the seat in front, no?

Reply

[-]

Beartato4772@reddit

No, because that direct gain knee room and also means you’re being a dick to the person behind.

Reply

[-]

wongl888@reddit

Never had a problem with the seat in front reclining as I just recline my seat and get exactly the same gap space. The economy seat do not recline sufficiently to effect my knee space so I have no idea what this is about?

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Show me a photo of a normal human sat normally in a plane seat where their knees touch the seat in front. Most complainees slouch more than a grumpy teenager.

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

Huh!? I'm 5'9" and my knees almost touch the back of the chair in front. Never mind if you were 6'6"...

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Yeahhh my exact height. Still waiting on that photo

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

You must have abnormally short legs then. Oh, sorry, let me just go and magic up a photo...

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Yes. And yet no-one can show someone sat with their hips back in the seat. Anyway. Ad hominem, set and match.

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

I mean, I'm not sure how far back his hips are supposed to go... https://images.app.goo.gl/hVh8b

Reply

[-]

Dimac99@reddit

To be fair, it does say he's 6'10" which is no-one's definition of average or normal height. That's not even tall, it's abnormally tall. The world is probably even less well designed for people like him than people like me who are unusually short. When I (5') am out with my 6'7" mate we do get some odd looks!

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

Oh, I completely agree, but I thought the person I was responding to had initially said he was 6'6" and could comfortably fit into a plane seat. Turns out he's only 5'9" but for some reason was lecturing tall people on slouching.

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Dude that guy is 6'10! And he doesn't even have to spread to the next seat

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

Wait but I thought height didn't matter? It's just about not slouching?

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Being nearly SEVEN FEET TALL isn't normal!

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

But you claimed you're 6'6" and fit really comfortably into a plane seat because you don't slouch. Why would a few extra inches make a difference? It's all about posture at the end of the day.

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

If you need to hallucinate things I've said to make an argument you may as well continue this debate in the shower.

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

So when you said "yeahhh my exact height" you didn't mean 6'6", you meant 5'9"? And you're telling tall people it's their fault that their knees hit the back of the seat? 😆

Reply

[-]

Eyuplove_@reddit

He could recline and slide his hips forward. Easy peasy

Reply

[-]

JK07@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/jvyecipwssze1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=7cb91df58811f023965703bd0299e18245a495d4 I'm 6'3"

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Doesn't show if slouching (which they are)

Reply

[-]

JK07@reddit

I'm definitely not slouching, that's my arse firmly to the back of the seat.

Reply

[-]

JK07@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/odwfku23tsze1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=39206a4a68a229da2dc73db32dee747090c46d4a 6'3"

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Room, and they're right next to the hinge where the room doesn't change when reclined

Reply

[-]

JK07@reddit

There's millimetres in it. That's the hinge for the table, of course it moves back when the whole rear of the seat tilts back about the base. It's even more sore when someone tries to slam it into your kneecaps

Reply

[-]

JK07@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/hqxakhd8tsze1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=f489bac676ebebf326b754e131696fd8e8267b57 6'3"

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Weird. Legs angled downwards like slouching! Wonder why

Reply

[-]

JK07@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/86h9m7kgtsze1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=39a5b906927b9aa492bc8aba4012e4b5c05f5aa0 A surprising amount of room on this Ryanair one once

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Doesn't show if slouching

Reply

[-]

wassermelone@reddit

Quick Google away. There were tons of them. https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/1dn2y5x/pov_flying_in_economy_while_tall_63192cm/ I'm taller than the guy that posted and it can be incredibly uncomfortable. When people recline, it actually becomes painful if I don't have my knees up like in this photo https://assets.change.org/photos/6/zo/yz/MYZOyzjuvwMPIGI-800x450-noPad.jpg?1550507825

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

That doesn't show the position of the hips on the chair. Complainees scootch their ass right to end.

Reply

[-]

HRHHayley@reddit

Not true, some of us have big butts and long legs, there's only so far back my hips can go because my arse is in the way. I'm 5'11" it's a bigger problem now that I'm fat and I try to fly infrequently as a result, but even when I was slim I struggled because legs my are long and my butt is a juicy meat cushion. Even if you're just tall without a juicy meat cushion it is a pain because the headrests are not high enough when you scooch all the way back. Leg and/or neck pain on a flight is a feature of flying economy while tall.

Reply

[-]

wassermelone@reddit

Ok, move the goalpost then. I'm telling you my literal lived experience, gave you a photo and you seem like a thoroughly unpleasant person so I'll just leave it here.

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

"sat normally" kinda implies they aren't trying to slouch horizontally, no? I get you think you're right because you're annoyed, but doesn't it make more sense you're annoyed because you're in the wrong?

Reply

[-]

MainSignature@reddit

Weird that everyone over 5'11" complains of this exact same issue except you. I guess nobody knows how to sit upright in a chair. You could make a living out of teaching people this simple skill.

Reply

[-]

maturecheddar@reddit

Loads of people make a living out of it...

Reply

[-]

Remarkable-Wash-7798@reddit

Surely the effect isn't that big? Unless your really really tall. The recline is only a small amount at the top of the chair so it's going to be a fraction of that at the bottom of where your knees would be??

Reply

[-]

lovethepsych@reddit

The airlines are to blame. There should be sufficient room to recline without cutting off someone's knee caps. But capitalism isn't gonna change because of bruised knees, when there is money to be made!

Reply

[-]

PudWud-92_@reddit

I see both sides. I’m 6ft4 and in most circumstances if someone reclines then my knees are in the back of their chair.

Reply

[-]

abutteryflakeycrust@reddit

The only people that complain about people reclining on flights are people that aren’t well travelled. There are some flights that are well over 14 hours long. Not being able to recline absolutely obliterates your backs and in most cases completely destroys your ability to sleep. Sure, you lose two inches when the person in front of you reclines. Want to know how to get that back? Recline yourself.

Reply

[-]

ChrisBrookerr@reddit

I'm 6'1 and just had a 7 hour flight back Doha-Heathrow and the person in front of me had their seat reclined the entire way. My knees penetrated the seat by about 6inches I had no choice. Seats should not recline.

Reply

[-]

cizza16@reddit

Airplane seats recline and you have the right to recline it. I generally never recline fully back because I know how annoying it is. But I do if the person in front of me fully reclines

Reply

[-]

BirthdayBoth304@reddit

Recliners are sociopaths.

Reply

[-]

tutike2000@reddit

I've never flown on a flight where the seats recline more than 5-10 degrees or so, so no.

Reply

[-]

No_Watercress8348@reddit

I don’t recline out of decency for whoever is behind me generally, I potentially would if it was a child behind me etc and I knew it wouldn’t impact their comfort

Reply

[-]

ConstantReader666@reddit

I don't fly anymore but when I did, I found it very uncomfortable when a guy would recline the chair and suddenly I have some strange guy's head in my lap and nowhere to rest my book. I have long legs and struggle to find room for them in plane seats to begin with. The head in my lap pins me down so I can't get up for the toilet. It's the plane designer's fault, packing people too close together. No resolution to offer, apart from being considerate of others.

Reply

[-]

According_Union@reddit

I think the only exception is long haul flights, otherwise it is rude.

Reply

[-]

Tewd_Feesh@reddit

Time to sleep - recline, time to sit - keep it up. Last long haul I was on a family with a young kid of about 5-6, reclined the kids seat about 10mins in. Seemed a bit selfish as the kid had loads of legroom and was jumping about, the bloke behind was crushed.

Reply

[-]

SeparateCause3163@reddit

Sorry but this is one of those things where if you do it I consider you a selfish person. They shouldn't be allowed to recline as it removes any of the little room you have. I never recline because I don't want to make the person behind me suffer, so I like to think the person in front of me wouldn't make me suffer but that's usually not the case.

Reply

[-]

Particular_Tune7990@reddit

Yes, on a transatlantic flight back from New York to London once the lady in front of me reclined suddenly - whilst food was being served and I had to wear half my bottle of water that I was just opening. I made sure she wore the rest. I was not impressed. Kind of obvious not to do that while food is being served.

Reply

[-]

Open_direction@reddit

Flying from Vancouver to Heathrow, the woman in front of me reclined her seat straight after take off, and refused to put it up during the meal service. The flight attendant asked her to, she asked them if they could make her and when they said no she said she wouldn’t do it! I had to eat with one hand while holding my food. The man next to me (admittedly my husband) fell asleep straight after the meal, so I was essentially trapped in the window seat. And just to make it the best flight ever, the man behind me was unwell and coughed, moaned, and groaned through the whole flight. Not the ideal way to spend 10 hours

Reply

[-]

fezzuk@reddit

Useless flight staff tbh. Sometimes you need to release the inner Karen. Being the loudest most annoying person sometimes is a valid option.

Reply

[-]

vontdman@reddit

TBH everything I have read so far has been American airlines - so must an American thing.

Reply

[-]

Dimac99@reddit

I can't lie, your bracket addition did make me laugh. 🤣 I hope you had a good moan at your husband later!

Reply

[-]

Particular_Tune7990@reddit

Damn - that’s horrible 😟

Reply

[-]

Overall_Dragonfruit6@reddit

this happened to me with apple juice on a flight last year. she did apologise but didn't un-recline during any of the food service. i am still seething

Reply

[-]

bopeepsheep@reddit

Same happened to me, but with coffee. I was not amused. Luckily I wasn't burned.

Reply

[-]

lonelydata@reddit

Did they apologise or pay any notice?

Reply

[-]

bopeepsheep@reddit

Not a word, even when the attendant was helping me get to my hand luggage (spare trousers!) and we needed her to move. Just blanked me for the rest of the flight.

Reply

[-]

Particular_Tune7990@reddit

This is why the rest ended up in her lap innmy case. Kind of made the point effectively. I wouldn’t have done it with a hot drink though thf.

Reply

[-]

Defaulted1364@reddit

I just have knees up against the back of the seat anyway so they can’t recline even if they wanted to.

Reply

[-]

Mattos_12@reddit

Many problems don’t exist in the world just in people’s mind. This is one of them. After traveling across the world multiple times, I’ve never worried about what someone else does with their seat. I have observed one disagreement over it and it was resolved by a moment of the cabin crew.

Reply

[-]

Greg-Normal@reddit

I've just completed my 26th flight of the year. No issues whatsoever. I don't usually recline much - ut if the person in front goes full, then I go full. - and hey presto you get your space back - and presumably the person behind me just reclines aswell. I'm 6'1 no issues with leg room it pivots higher up. Put it up to eat, the hostesses will usually ask you anyway. And please don't whack it back, that can damage laptops and spill drinks. Ease it back bit by bit or slowly !

Reply

[-]

PerkeNdencen@reddit

Yes. I'm tall. Those are my knees. Just stop. You don't have the right to do so just because you have a button that enables you. There is nothing physically stopping you resting your feet on the shoulders of the person in front at the cinema, but you don't do you? No you don't. Just stop this madness.

Reply

[-]

Mikeymcmoose@reddit

Get the extra legroom then. If it’s a long flight you have no right to complain.

Reply

[-]

PerkeNdencen@reddit

Oh, sorry. I didn't realize not getting my knees smashed to pieces by the person in front was a privilege I had to pay for.

Reply

[-]

firerawks@reddit

every single time i get on a plane i’m behind the gig who reclines his seat. every time.

Reply

[-]

autobulb@reddit

Seats recline so little I'm surprised it makes much of a difference at all. If anything it just moves the video screen towards me about an inch. I'm fairly tall and I don't get the "my knees have nowhere to go" argument. You do realize that the entire area underneath the seat in front of you is completely empty? If you recline yourself you can put your feet further forward and even stretch/straighten your legs, at least partially if you are monstrously tall. Do people go entire flights with their knees bent? That sound exhausting. On long flights, the default position for seats is reclined as far as I'm concerned. Even if I'm not sleeping and doing some reading or doing something on my computer I'm reclined, as is nearly everyone else. You just bring your seat up to eat and when departing/landing.

Reply

[-]

Zs93@reddit

I’ve flown long haul every year my whole life (31 years of it!) and I had no idea people felt this way about reclining. I always reclined when I wanted to sleep - in my mind it’s there for me to use if I wish. If the person in front of me reclined I never wished they didn’t. I only heard about this from brits and I do think it’s a very British thing to be so sensitive to what’s inconsiderate in the situation and rather than put this on the airline they put it on the people. I don’t blame anyone for thinking it’s annoying but I think arguing with someone about it is unfair. I’d also urge people to have some patience with people, especially if they’re non western because they definitely won’t realise this is such a sore spot for some of you. I know my poor parents would be none the wiser and absolutely devastated if they had someone shout at them about it. Ask nicely, if they agree great, if they don’t then move on.

Reply

[-]

Mikeymcmoose@reddit

I think it seems a very American thing to care about it, tbh. Most nationalities will always recline but Americans make a big deal about it.

Reply

[-]

Mikeymcmoose@reddit

Only an issue if people do it during meal times etc. otherwise on a long haul flight you need to be reclining to get some rest.

Reply

[-]

MisterIndecisive@reddit

It's pretty simple, if the person behind doesn't have space for their legs then don't recline. It's not like they can chop their legs off. I get the seats recline but when they were first designed they didn't have everyone cramming in like sardines. If you have a back problem and must recline then ask politely to move or pay for a premium seat.

Reply

[-]

whosUtred@reddit

So having back pain means I can afford premium? Jog on

Reply

[-]

MisterIndecisive@reddit

It's you that needs the accommodation. Standard seat shouldn't put your knees crushed against the seat in front

Reply

[-]

whosUtred@reddit

My knees are fine mate & the seat reclines to ease my back pain. I’m not the one that needs more room

Reply

[-]

MisterIndecisive@reddit

Well clearly you to do as you're taking room behind you

Reply

[-]

whosUtred@reddit

The room is provided for me for the seat I payed for, yours apparently not eh!

Reply

[-]

GiGGLED420@reddit

At the same time you paid for a seat with reclines. They should book an extra leg room seat if it’s that much of a problem. I’m 6’1 with long legs and I don’t complain when people recline. Of the flights longer than like 2 hours I’ll just book an emergency exit or extra legroom seat. I’m not going to make my problem your problem.

Reply

[-]

spidertattootim@reddit

Agreed. 6'2" here. If I'm uncomfortable I can reposition myself to put my knees *under* the seat in front of me.

Reply

[-]

GiGGLED420@reddit

Yea I just recline and stretch my legs out until they hit the bar under the seat in front. Works a charm

Reply

[-]

Bgtobgfu@reddit

I don’t understand what everyone else is doing that they’re not doing this. The most obvious solution.

Reply

[-]

flippertyflip@reddit

Being taller?

Reply

[-]

mogrim@reddit

Because they’ve got a huge backpack they can barely pack under the seat and their legs won’t fit? People want cheap fights, then complain when it bites them in the arse.

Reply

[-]

litfan35@reddit

Apparently sitting bolt upright, stubbornly refusing to budge and be comfortable, then blaming the lack of comfort on the person in front who had the temerity to actually try to be comfortable lol

Reply

[-]

flippertyflip@reddit

But you're only a bit above average height (assuming you're male). Also there are limited extra legroom seats.

Reply

[-]

GuerrillaGreen@reddit

Paid for extra leg room with Ryanair last year and it was the biggest scam I've ever dealt with. I don't even think they gave us any extra room at all, my knees were still dug into the seat in front. I'm only 6ft with is average for a male these days, god bless anybody actually tall

Reply

[-]

MisterIndecisive@reddit

Yeah but too many airlines take the piss so it's a problem even for the average sized person.

Reply

[-]

GiGGLED420@reddit

I fly Ryanair and easyjet like 10 times a year and I’m fine with it. Just gotta treat it more like a bus than a plane

Reply

[-]

Salaried_Zebra@reddit

You aren't typically on a bus for 4+ hours tho

Reply

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

I'm 5'8" with short legs (as in I buy trousers with the leg length Short and they fit perfectly). I was on a Ryanair flight recently and my knees were less than 1cm from seat in front of me. If they'd reclined their seat, they'd have had to deal with the fact my legs would have been right up their back. You don't have to be tall for this to be a problem, and if its affecting shorter than average people with shorter than average legs then its too widespread an issue to be solved by "just spend extra money for extra leg room".

Reply

[-]

GiGGLED420@reddit

Stretch your legs under the seat in front of you, problem solved. You pay less for budget airlines because they do more to bring the cost down like cramming more people on them. If it’s that much of a problem you have options to alleviate it, including booking with airlines with more legroom like KLM or BA, but the tradeoff is again, higher costs.

Reply

[-]

CMR1891@reddit

This is the best answer! I, personally, don’t ever recline my chair because I’m too socially awkward and I also can’t sleep in public. However, if I really needed to, I would ask the person behind if they minded. I’m pretty sure 99% of problems that people ask about on Reddit could be rectified by simple communication.. and I’m the socially awkward one. Unfortunately, not everybody has respect!

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

OR if the person behind you is on their computer, don't recline.

Reply

[-]

SmallCatBigMeow@reddit

On a long haul flight I have to recline. I can’t sit for 14h on an upright seat and I can’t sleep on it. they are designed to recline for this reason. Is it nicer when someone in front of you doesn’t recline? Of course. Do they still have the right to recline? Of course. If you’re annoyed about lack of space, upgrade your seat or take your grievance with the airline. Or just recline your own seat and enjoy your flight.

Reply

[-]

DistinctlyIrish@reddit

Your right to (insert action here) is protected up until the point (aforementioned action) affects me in any way, and at that point a compromise must be made by both of us.

Reply

[-]

bruceleroy96@reddit

How is this even a conversation. If the seats are made to recline then guess what, people have a right to recline in them.

Reply

[-]

bravosarah@reddit

You shouldn't be reclining your seats at all. But if you must, recline on overnight flights only. And ffs put them back up when food is being served.

Reply

[-]

FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

Asshole in the back is wrong. Person reclining can recline the seat - and in fact in many airlines, interfering with the operation of another seat is against the airline's rules. Now, it's polite not to recline during a meal service, but on a longer flight, the setup is that the seats recline and you can recline it if you want. Airlines with non-reclining seats, or seats where the exterior back of the seat does not recline, are available for customers who wish to travel in such seats.

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

Have you considered that ‘asshole in the back’ might just be, y’know, tall? You choosing to put your seat back doesn’t somehow make my legs shorter.

Reply

[-]

mikewishesdeath@reddit

Then the asshole in the back needs to upgrade to economy plus or a fire exit seat.

Reply

[-]

FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

Screwing up the experience of the person in front is what makes them the asshole.

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

So let me get this straight, in your brain, if you recline your seat backward so it’s pressed against my legs, that counts as me screwing up your experience?

Reply

[-]

volunteerplumber@reddit

What do you define as tall? I'm 187cm and I really don't care if someone reclines. If I did, I make sure buy a seat with more legroom. Just because you're tall doesn't mean others should be punished.

Reply

[-]

SeatSnifferJeff@reddit

Get a longer leg room seat or buy two seats along with the fatties.

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

And that's fine, but don't deliberately kick/bump the person in front to 'teach them a lesson'!

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

Agreed, obviously, but similarly don’t assume that any jostle from me is intended to be annoying or some kind of lesson - if you ram your chair into my legs you’re going to feel me shifting my weight around and the only person that can do anything about that is the person who put their chair back.

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

I think people can generally tell the difference between an occasional accidental jostle and a sustained, deliberate attempt to punish/annoy them!

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

You’d think, but I’ve had someone wake me up to tell me off for digging into the back of their chair when what they were feeling was themselves moving around.

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

Well you do get a few daft people everywhere

Reply

[-]

Mindless_Count5562@reddit

Honestly don’t think it helps that everyone is seemingly at their worst on flights; no one is comfy, everyone’s a little stressed and probably tired. Not a good mixing pot.

Reply

[-]

ChrisRandR@reddit

Arsehole, surely?

Reply

[-]

FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

Yes, given the nature of the complaint, I assumed only Americans were involved, so I wrote my response in American.

Reply

[-]

OK_LK@reddit

Some planes used by the budget airlines in the UK don't have enough leg room for a chair to recline and not have the passenger behind's knees digging into the reclining chair What is the person behind supposed to do with their legs if there isn't enough room? Sure, you have the right to recline your chair for your comfort, but you also have to accept that there might be someone behind who's legs will be digging into your back if you do recline

Reply

[-]

FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

The pivot point of a typical reclining seat is such that the actual knee room does not reduce much when the seat reclines. If you have the seat pocket full of crap, that may not work.

Reply

[-]

Mysterious-Essay-860@reddit

\> Airlines with non-reclining seats, or seats where the exterior back of the seat does not recline, are available for customers who wish to travel in such seats. Wait, they are? I'd not seen that, which ones?

Reply

[-]

FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

Many budget airline seats do not recline at all. This includes British Airways A320 series neo aircraft rear of the exit rows. Cathay Pacific used to have economy seats that slide forward to recline instead of the seat just tilting back, but now only on the older aircraft (if I remember correctly). Several airlines have "shell" style premium economy seats that recline by moving forward and the rigid backshell of the seat doesn't move.

Reply

[-]

SomeHSomeE@reddit

Some easyjet flights don't recline (source: flew easyjet a few weeks ago and the seats didn't recline)

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

Lots of budget airlines don't have reclining seats anymore, or you can pay for the extra legroom rows.

Reply

[-]

bigwillyman7@reddit

the flight I was on last week didn't have seats that reclined at all

Reply

[-]

Wise_0ld_Man@reddit

Short hop (2-3 hrs) = don’t recline Longer segments = don’t recline as soon as the plane takes off or at meal times (the cabin crew should enforce the meal time thing) but otherwise you’re entitled to get some rest If you are so big that having the seat recline in front of you on a long flight is an issue, pay for a bulkhead seat

Reply

[-]

georgiebb@reddit

I don't recline even on long haul because its such s movie improvement for what's going to be a large annoyance to the person behind. But if the person in front reclines I don't mind to much as long as they let me have my meals. However what I didn't enjoy was the lady who poked her foot through the gap above the foot rest and touched her bare foot against the back of my arm. Then when I asked her not to she rolled her eyes like I was being so unreasonable for not wanting her foot in my space, touching me

Reply

[-]

Extreme_Step9472@reddit

If the seats recline then I’m going to recline. If your tall get a seat with more room. You trying to save cash is not my problem, I paid for my seat and if it reclines I’m going to use it.

Reply

[-]

Embarrassed_Ad1722@reddit

If they want to put reclining seats on planes they should leave enough room for them to recline instead of stuffing people like sardines in a can and expecting them not to get fussy.

Reply

[-]

DarkLordTofer@reddit

If you weren't meant to recline them then they wouldn't recline.

Reply

[-]

expostulation@reddit

I was on a long haul (London to HK) and the woman behind me pushed the back of my seat every time I went to recline it. I called the staff and they had a word with her. The two seats next to her were empty, with no one in front. She could've just moved one seat over, but chose to be obtuse.

Reply

[-]

bjb13@reddit

I’m 6’5”. If you recline your seat you should expect to get bumped when I move as I will not have room to do so without bumping your seat. I’m already cramped without the seat being reclined and will need to move my legs at some point on the flight. It isn’t because I don’t want you to recline your seat but it is a law of physics that two things can’t occupy the same space at the same time.

Reply

[-]

mmoonbelly@reddit

I’m 6’3” - can’t you just stretch your legs further under the seat in front and make advantage of your own seat reclining to move your bum forward

Reply

[-]

mmoonbelly@reddit

I think it’s easier if everyone reclines. Everyone gets a greater seat pitch. (Adds about 9” or so as your feet go under the seat ahead)

Reply

[-]

littlepurplepanda@reddit

Last long haul flight I was on, the guy in front of me aggressively reclined and straightened his seat every five minutes. He seemed to think you had to recline it to stand up. And it even annoyed the people sat next to me. Really I should have told him to stop it, but I was just too tired.

Reply

[-]

ASpookyBitch@reddit

Honestly who is even bothering to recline, it’s not enough to make the seat any comfier just makes the person behind you even more cramped

Reply

[-]

Scared-Mine1506@reddit

Anyone that's reclining on a short haul flight so just be stored in the overhead out of the way of normal people.

Reply

[-]

IFornicus@reddit

You recline in front of me, I'm going to knee you in the back for the whole flight. Completely fair.

Reply

[-]

Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit

Baby, always turn left.

Reply

[-]

DueRough7957@reddit

Some airlines don't have reclining seats anymore

Reply

[-]

queen__crimson@reddit

Flew 11h with the person in front of me reclined all the way for the duration of the flight including meal time. And first time she reclined she did it suddenly without checking and I had my tray open and my laptop on the tray. Some people are assholes. If you have to recline on a long haul, at least check first and for the love of god don’t do it during meal times.

Reply

[-]

LaMerde@reddit

I've been in both camps. I've been to Japan twice which was split into a longer and shorter flight both times. The first time we flew to Hong Kong and it was 13 hours. I sat squashed in my (I'm a 5 ft 5 woman) and tutted to my partner about how rude the person in front was being for reclining their seat. Then the second time I went it was a 14 hour flight to Seoul. I tried to sit for as long as possible without reclining my seat but around the 5 hour mark the bottom of my back was in agony. I tried to bear it for another hour before I had to recline my seat just enough to take the pressure off the bottom of my back. I still tried to be considerate and not recline it fully but there was no way I was going to be able to sit completely upright for the entire flight.

Reply

[-]

BlueLeaves8@reddit

I always ask the person behind, if they’re okay with it then I recline. I think this is the only way to do it personally. And usually by asking the other person is more likely to be okay with it than if you reclined without.

Reply

[-]

Coccorosa@reddit

Maybe if you don't want people using the recline option pay extra to have the extra legroom seats?

Reply

[-]

Imperterritus0907@reddit

Im average height and from the looks of it I must be the only person ever that finds reclining uncomfortable af, I find the angle is never deep enough.

Reply

[-]

Neobandit0@reddit

Only once. Incredible rude American woman on my flight home from... It was either Florida or Boston to the UK. Basically head in my lap, and she had nobody sat in front of her. I'm a really anxious person and hate conflic and confrontation, so it was for me to adk her not to recline so much. She got pissy at me and told me to recline too if it bothered me so much, and that the person behind me would recline etc etc. i was so glad to fet off that flight.

Reply

[-]

Radiant-Mycologist72@reddit

If the person behind me reclines, I recline. If the person in front of me reclines, but the person behind me doesn't, I might recline a little, but otherwise I take the hit as bad luck.

Reply

[-]

NepsHasSillyOpinions@reddit

I'm a 5'3" woman and even I've felt if it a seat is reclined in front of me, I can tolerate it but if you're a taller person... yeaah. I get it.

Reply

[-]

Angryleghairs@reddit

Seats recline. People need to accept that

Reply

[-]

Nine_Eye_Ron@reddit

The sears don’t recline on the cheap airlines I’ve used recently. Been a long tine since I’ve had a seat that reclines but it’s never been an issue.

Reply

[-]

Lost-Personality-644@reddit

It's fine if only a little but some people are idiots and given an inch will take a mile. Especially hate it when they put it down when food is being eaten. The worst is in the middle aisle though, just feel trapped on all sides.

Reply

[-]

Hopeforthefallen@reddit

Car seats recline, just because they do, doesn't mean they should.

Reply

[-]

Rich-Highway-1116@reddit

Having the ability to do something is not the same as a having the right to do something. At the end of the day your rights stop at when you start making physical contact with other people. If you think it doesn’t count because it’s not human to human contact. Do you want tall people to start putting things on your head?

Reply

[-]

MrNorth74@reddit

Not reclining but I did have a chap kicking the back of my seat constantly on a flight. After a few choice words he said he’d meet me in the airport. When we both stood up he was about 5’4” and I’m 6’3” so he just walked off rather quickly! Jokes on him though I’m useless at fighting.

Reply

[-]

fezzuk@reddit

No your great a fighting. The aim of a fight is to win, by not fighting you won.

Reply

[-]

Scared_Cricket3265@reddit

I wonder how he reached your chair with his little legs.

Reply

[-]

MrNorth74@reddit

The joys of budget airlines sadly.

Reply

[-]

Fair_Woodpecker_6088@reddit

Booster seat

Reply

[-]

idontlikemondays321@reddit

Seat kicking is far worse in my opinion. It makes me rage

Reply

[-]

mogrim@reddit

25 years ago a flight from the Uk to Spain would cost you about £300 and you’d have loads of legroom. These days it’s less than £100 and you don’t. You want legroom? Pay for it. Book business or the emergency exit seats. Minimum book an aisle seat. But if you pay peanuts and the seat in front of you reclines, shut TF up and deal with it.

Reply

[-]

NotWellBitch420@reddit

Surely this works the other way around? Like if you wanna recline/have room pay for it in business?

Reply

[-]

NotWellBitch420@reddit

Had a 12 hour flight a few months ago, dude in front of me pushed his seat back as far as it would go for the whole flight, literally from the moment we were in the air until he got told to pull it up for touching down. 12 hours of fckin torture with no room and trying to eat with the tray in my rib cage at meal times. If you recline in economy, you’re a selfish and entitled idiot.

Reply

[-]

DRW_@reddit

So, I’m 6ft3 - but I think this depends on the seat design too. I just flew Qatar on a 787 & A350, the recliner on those seats didn’t really change the leg room, unless I’m mistaken, but as someone who really needs the room for my knees, it seemed none was taken away from me. The tray didn’t shift any closer either. The only negative impact was the top of the chair was obviously closer to my face which isn’t that comfortable if you’re not also reclining. On the A350-900, the display could then be tilted upward to angle it straight when the seat was reclined. If I’m not imagining something here, I feel like this is okay. But I don’t think seats should recline in a way that properly intrude on the other passengers.

Reply

[-]

PoinkPoinkPoink@reddit

Honestly I wouldn’t personally recline, it doesn’t make it that much comfier anyway. I wouldn’t kick off if someone else reclined on me though providing they put their seat back up when food was served etc.

Reply

[-]

Floatingamer@reddit

u/odmort1 short people love complaining when clearly the big legged tall people should get priority

Reply

[-]

odmort1@reddit

If u recline infront of me ur getting my knees in ur back idc

Reply

[-]

Interesting_Try8375@reddit

No, but the only plane I have been on didn't have reclining seats. Don't even know if you can call them seats really on a C-130

Reply

[-]

Ok-Train5382@reddit

I just stop people reclining on top of me if there’s no room. I’m not going to be made extra uncomfortable just so someone can recline a few degrees.

Reply

[-]

Nublett9001@reddit

I was on a flight with my baby recently and the guy in front of me attempted to recline his seat and seemed confused why it wouldn't move. He figured it out when he turned round and saw me holding his seat forward. Aeroplane seats are far too close together for anyone to be actually comfortable, let alone people over 6ft like myself.

Reply

[-]

Easy-Reserve7401@reddit

Yes. I got covered in a meal, including a small bottle of red wine, because the guy in front of my dad decided not to eat his meal and slammed his seat back hard while my dad was eating his. The guy totally refused to acknowledge us and the flight attendants who asked him to move his seat back up and explain what had happened. Completely blanked everyone as if he was deaf, dumb and blind. He wasn't. They were really mad at him! Completely ruined a limited edition T-shirt that meant a lot to me. I was young and saved up my money over my holiday to buy an official Nickelodeon top from Nick Studios, after being in the audience for and starring in a show there. I was heartbroken. The attendants took my t-shirt and shorts (not ones I cared about tbh) and wrapped me in a blanket. They tried to clean my clothes using soda water and putting it in the hold to dry, to no avail. They were ruined. I have never worn anything but 'travelling clothes' when flying ever since.

Reply

[-]

Ducktastic78@reddit

If it's a reclining seat, I have no issues with the person ahead reclining their seat. In the past, I've just tapped the person ahead to let them know I'm about to eat so need my tray and they've obliged. Gone back to reclining soon as I'm done, and that's fine by me.

Reply

[-]

YourMaWarnedUAboutMe@reddit

I think it’s grossly unfair that airline seats can recline. Imagine a scenario where every single seat in a plane is reclined. The people in the last row can’t recline theirs because they have the bathrooms directly behind their bulkhead. It’s inconsiderate.

Reply

[-]

Significant_Answer_9@reddit

Here’s the situation people. You CAN jump in front of cars, but just because it’s an option doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it. They all recline in increments, there’s never a need to recline 100%. The only reason to ever recline is on a night flight and the correct approach is to 50%. I’m the gal who breaks the reclining chain.

Reply

[-]

Tierang@reddit

The problem is the airlines who have gradually reduced the space between rows, making us all more and more miserable.

Reply

[-]

Complex-Constant-631@reddit

This is one of the reasons I always took the fast train over flying when in China. It is so common for entitled people to do this.

Reply

[-]

DadVan-Soton@reddit

It’s not healthy to sit upright for hours or more. *The seats recline for that reason*. Everyone on the plane should recline, so that everyone has room. Jesus, it’s not rocket science.

Reply

[-]

No-Win2424@reddit

Never had a major problem with it. If the person in front reclines their seat, as they are entitled to do, I may tut under my breath, but I don't create a scene, and I certainly don't stick my knees into the back of the seat. That guy is a first class a-hole

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

“They’re entitled to make another persons journey much more uncomfortable so they can have an added luxury”

Reply

[-]

Ok-Focus8315@reddit

Recline your own seat too

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

No, for the reason I stated

Reply

[-]

Ok-Focus8315@reddit

If the recliner is there it’s because it’s allowed. If everyone reclines their seats everyone will be fine.

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

180mph is there on a car speedometer, doesn’t mean you can use it

Reply

[-]

Ok-Focus8315@reddit

No correlation whatsoever 😂

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Yup, it illustrates my point perfectly

Reply

[-]

Ok-Focus8315@reddit

Driving 180mph has to do with safety, reclining a plane seat has more to do with comfort rather than safety🤦‍♀️

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

I don’t think you understand it’s about the principle. Obviously the cases aren’t the same in all respects

Reply

[-]

Fairwolf@reddit

I ain't gonna say shit because it's never an argument I'm going to win, but I hate your guts if you recline an economy seat.

Reply

[-]

SubstantialMaize6747@reddit

Most planes I travel on now don’t recline, but I can remember when I was a teenager sitting with someone’s headrest in my face. It’s really unbearable. I do kind of think that anyone who reclines their seat deserves to have knees in their back. Have you seen those ones where hair gets trailed over the headrest? Absolutely would be tugging the shit out of that.

Reply

[-]

CracKING23@reddit

I personally don't recline my seat because I find it rude on the people behind. I can sleep just fine in the normal position. There is never enough space. When I see the person in front about to recline their seat I brace their seat so they think it has gone back the maximum amount. If I am not quick enough I make it my personal mission to get even. Every meal I get the flight attendant to wake them up, when I go to pee I use their headrest to get myself up and down. I'll jab at my tv screen and play one of the games.

Reply

[-]

ShinHayato@reddit

I never recline my seat. I would just suffer in silence if someone did it to me though

Reply

[-]

chilledentertainer@reddit

If you recline the seat you’ve made the conscious decision to be inconsiderate to the person behind you. If that person then wants to make the journey in front of them, they reserve the same right frankly.

Reply

[-]

latflickr@reddit

I am on the opinion that if one wish to recline their seat, they should at least ask the passenger back if that's ok. If somebody in the front recline their sit without asking, I will feel authorised to move the whole flight, and if my knees get on the back of the reclined seat in the meanwhile, oh no! anyway..

Reply

[-]

Additional_Doubt_633@reddit

Recliners are worse than Hitler

Reply

[-]

Nuo_Vibro@reddit

If it’s designed to recline, then that’s what I’m going to do. Having said that you don’t have to be a dick about it. Pop it up at mealtimes

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

“I’m going to make life uncomfortable for you so I can have a slight increase in comfort”. Sounds lovely

Reply

[-]

truckyoupayme@reddit

“I’m going to dictate to other passengers which features of the plane they may or may not use in order to slightly increase my comfort, even though they paid for those features, the airline installed and sanctions those features, and I have access to the same exact features.”

Reply

[-]

wabalabadub94@reddit

There are two types of people in this world 😂

Reply

[-]

KickConfident2002@reddit

I'll say it again, recline your own seat if the person reclines theirs.

Reply

[-]

Rebcatt@reddit

I was on a long flight from Mexico and had a family next to me. The mother had a very large child on her lap, too large to be on her lap for the whole flight in my opinion but they were clearly avoiding paying for a seat. Anyway the person in front reclined their seat and this woman started kicking off because it left her daughter with little room. It was a night flight. The woman in front wanted to recline and sleep. I was on her side.

Reply

[-]

Dayglo777@reddit

I had a long weekend in vegas a few years back and by the time of the flight back was very tired and irritable. I’d booked premium economy just for a small bit of extra comfort but as soon as the guy in front sat down he reclined and crammed my space. I started prodding away at the screen on the back of his seat, because I could, right? He stood up and a row ensued that lasted all the way to baggage reclaim. Luckily I’m 6ft 4 and he was a little squirt so I wasn’t threatened but he couldn’t understand that just as he had the right to recline his seat inconsiderately I also had the right to play games on the screen inconsiderately. Entitled as fuck

Reply

[-]

Frankthehamster@reddit

Bollocks to that. I have no issue with someone reclining but I am 5ft, my partner on the other hand is 6'3ish so obviously is a lot more uncomfortable on economy flights. He reclined once during a 4hr flight and rather than using her words she started kicking his seat immediately - ofc he put the seat straight back up but it was so bloody rude I had a little row with her. The thing is even I'm uncomfortable on a Boeing 737 especially when someone reclined (which has happened to me multiple times). Don't get mad at other passengers because the aircraft is uncomfortable, use your words and ask and also accept that booking a narrow body aircraft like the 737 will be uncomfortable. I'm a bit of a aircraft nerd but even then I'm amazed at how few people actually check out their flight and what aircraft you may be on

Reply

[-]

P33ph0le@reddit

It's an awkward situation tbh. I once was flying back to London from Osaka and just as we took off, the guy in front of me reclined his seat. I felt miffed as there was barely any space as it was and I dreaded a long flight of this. Luckily the stewardess told him to sit up as it was too early in the flight to do so, and he luckily didn't do it again.

Reply

[-]

ariadnevirginia@reddit

It's become a running joke with my husband and me that as soon as I get into an airplane seat, the person in front of me reclines. Even though you're not supposed to until the seatbelt signs are off. Once he ended up sitting in front of me and as a joke abruptly reclined his seat immediately and as soon as I calmed my rage, it was very funny.

Reply

[-]

greens1117@reddit

Probably A Rage Bait Skit...

Reply

[-]

Chocolategirl1234@reddit

I mainly travel short haul with Jet2 and their seats don’t recline. Which is good.

Reply

[-]

ConsciouslyIncomplet@reddit

Airplane seats recline - it is perfectly allowed. If someone wants more space, buy a higher class ticket.

Reply

[-]

Weird_sleep_patterns@reddit

Ok I said this in a few comments but want to share it generally. I am not tall. But I get EXTREMELY annoyed when people recline when I am working on my computer on a daytime flight (most flights - I travel for work). I can't see my computer screen on some planes when the seat is reclined. So, this is not just annoying to the vertically blessed among us.

Reply

[-]

Snazz03@reddit

Going on a flight with reclining seats should be the dividing line between middle middle class and upper middle class

Reply

[-]

flightyzeus339@reddit

It's always some short arse or woman that dares to recline it and all the big or tall guys that's suffer in silence

Reply

[-]

No-Photograph3463@reddit

Yes, flew last week from Heathrow to Atlanta so a 10 hour flight and the guy infront had his chair reclined all the way back most of the time. Leg room wasn't an issue for me as only the upper back reclined, but the issue was that it meant the entertainment screen was only about 30 cm from my nose, and I had barely any room to get in and out of the seat and couldn't read a book as there wouldn't of been room! Imo in the cattle classes you shouldn't be able to recline as people are dicks and ruin it for everyone else.

Reply

[-]

jjgill27@reddit

I was coming back from South Africa and the woman in front decided to recline while I was eating dinner. I politely asked her if she could wait until I finished eating (I’m tall, the food was in my lap) and she turned into the biggest bitch ever, to the point a steward intervened. It must have been awfully annoying for her to keep having my long legs banging her seat as she tried to sleep 🤷🏻‍♀️

Reply

[-]

Dry-Magician1415@reddit

> shouldn't have but understand she has the right to do so This doesn’t advance the discussion one iota. Someone either has the right to recline and it’s OK. Or they don’t and it isn’t.

Reply

[-]

Ok-Focus8315@reddit

I was in a flight and the plane hadn’t took off yet it was taking some time. I reclined my seat back and the lady behind me told me not to (?)😭 I ended up putting it back to how it was because I felt bad. I ended up reclining it back after take off because if a seat has a recliner you can recline it, it’s as simple as that.

Reply

[-]

WordsUnthought@reddit

If you recline your seat (in economy/coach class) more than an inch or two, you are in the wrong. No exceptions. You're not the main character.

Reply

[-]

stoatwblr@reddit

Why are people blaming passengers for AIRLINES reducing seat spacing to intolerable distances? Apart from anything else this is an evacuation hazard in an emergency

Reply

[-]

ConsistentCatch2104@reddit

I’m 6’2. I don’t mind if people recline into me as when I recline it all equals out. Just not during meal times.

Reply

[-]

redunculuspanda@reddit

In average hight, and on some airplanes if anyone tilts the seat my knees get squashed before the seat is fully back. As uncomfortable/annoying as it is, is the airline’s fault not the passenger.

Reply

[-]

Greggybread@reddit

Outside of meal times seats recline. That's the way it is. If you kick up a fuss it's on you. I sometimes don't recline but I don't blame people who do. If you shouldn't do it, seats wouldn't be able to recline.

Reply

[-]

HirsuteHacker@reddit

Don't recline on flights, there's fuck all room as is, no need to make it worse for whoever's behind.

Reply

[-]

NegotiationLost332@reddit

On one flight I was on, the seats were so shit that when the guy in front of me reclined (which he did do immediately and then slept the rest of the flight) I was unable to watch the screen because the angle I was at comparative to it made it impossible. I am not a particularly tall person. Airlines are fucking bandits for cramming us in like this and in principle I agree you should be able to recline if you want to and your seat does it, but in practice you just shouldn't do it because you are very probably making somebody else's flight worse just to make your own better.

Reply

[-]

honey-milkshake@reddit

When I was a teenager flying long haul alone, I had a Karen recline directly into my legs. There was literally nowhere for my legs to go. I asked her (very politely as a child raised in an extremely strict household) if she would put her seat up as it was hurting me. She refused. As you might expect, I kept trying to change position due to the pain and discomfort . She felt this was "kicking her" and called the flight attendant. Imagine my shock when the attendant vehemently advocated for her right to put her seat back, and that I must stop moving against the seat immediately. When I asked what I was supposed to do, I was told to put my seat back. Seriously? By the end of the 11hr flight, my shins were black & blue.

Reply

[-]

IssyWalton@reddit

just because you the “eight” to do something doesn’t mean you so it. conversely did the guy behind not have the ”right” to not have his space cramped?

Reply

[-]

devildance3@reddit

Yes, and a quiet word sorted it

Reply

[-]

impeckable69@reddit

I'm 6ft 4 so it's agony for me if the person in front reclines their seat. I don't try to stick my knees into their seats, but it happens naturally due to my height. There again I support anyone that is proactive in their fight back. People that recline seats when there is someone behind are just selfish idiots who deserve a knee in the back or an accidentally spilt drink all over their conceited laps.

Reply

[-]

thatbondyguy@reddit

https://preview.redd.it/cdcamgq2ysze1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb71f84f4377063bd2581b3230d1b2fccb44fff2 Chinese airline the other month lol I was too quiet to say anything but when she got up, my friend thought pressed her recliner seat and ended up flinging the child to her right instead

Reply

[-]

El_Scot@reddit

It's kinda fair enough, but I do hate when you're sat behind someone who reclines their seat the instant they can, whether they're trying to sleep or not. The only way reclining works, is if everyone reclines at the same time. If you don't want to right away, you're kinda forced to or forced to suffer a tiny sitting space. I've never confronted anyone about it, but because I get an allergy meal on flights, I get my meal before everyone else and the air stewardess usually asks the person in front to sit upright so I can eat. I get grumpy looks because of that (even though I didn't have to ask).

Reply

[-]

Safe-Championship-18@reddit

Well the recline option is there to be used so what’s the problem? You can’t rely on some unspoken rule for people to follow. If the person in front of you has reclined, you should do the same and so on and so forth. If you have an issue with it you should fly business.

Reply

[-]

Midnight7000@reddit

Yeah, like cars being able to go 100+ MPH, I don't know why the capability exists. And it isn't a situation where I'm overreacting. People were looking at him like he was some crass dickhead. I just asked the flight attendant to be seated elsewhere but the ignorant side of me wanted to break his jaw.

Reply

[-]

Midnight7000@reddit

Yeah, like cars being able to go 100+ MPH, I don't know why the capability exists. And it isn't a situation where I'm overreacting. People were looking at him like he was some crass dickhead. I just asked the flight attendant to be seated elsewhere but the ignorant side of me wanted to break his jaw.

Reply

[-]

rehabawaits2033@reddit

Even as a short person there isn’t enough leg room on most flights. I would be in the minority I assume but I would take a 15-20% increase in price if it directly correlated to reduced seating on planes and therefore more room.

Reply

[-]

SpecsyVanDyke@reddit

This drives me mad. Any long haul flight I've ever been on has the recline designed in such a way that it doesn't affect leg room. The back of the seat will get closer to your face but if you recline as well it's not a problem. Yes the person in the last row can't recline as far but on a long haul flight you usually pick where you sit so just don't pick that row. Never recline when meals are being served but on any long haul flight I've ever been on the cabin crew make sure this is enforced. I'm convinced the people who say it's rude to recline have never travelled long haul.

Reply

[-]

Parking_Chip_2689@reddit

I immediately also recline if I'm reclined on. Only counter to it

Reply

[-]

slippinjizm@reddit

Not really to bothered if they do it slightly at first it’s abit weird but you get used to it.

Reply

[-]

sharkmaninjamaica@reddit

no I haven’t I’ve actually been quite confused about the issues it’s caused. Been flying for 30 years and had the person in front recline into my space more times than I cud ever count. No issues with it personally - if I take their rights away I also can’t recline. I’d rather be recline on and recline myself that not be reclined on and not recline myself. Maybe it’s a personal thing but no idea why anyone cares - or maybe I’m just too used to it.

Reply

[-]

CIA-pizza-party@reddit

A few years ago I was sitting in basic and I had my laptop on the tray table, of course attached to the seat in front of me. The guy in that seat suddenly reclined very quickly; this caught my laptop screen between the tray and the seat nearly snapping the screen in half. I was a poor college kid, so in a panic I yelped and whacked the seat a few times and told the guy to sit up - and he did. I’m not sure he knew that he was breaking my laptop, but maybe he won’t ever recline on an airplane again lol

Reply

[-]

dwair@reddit

Not really. I have done a lot of long haul flights in the past and the easiest way to get through them is just chill out and not let stuff irritate you. It's only 123-18 hours out of your life. What's the point in getting riled up?

Reply

[-]

Haeenki@reddit

I've just come frome a 9 hour flight in economy (I've never flown in economy that long before). As long as I can also recline and everybody puts their seat during meals I don't mind.

Reply

[-]

goldenthoughtsteal@reddit

As a 6'7" person, aircraft seats shouldn't recline! It's hard enough to fit in the space given, you're going to get my knees in your back even if I try not to, and I'm probably not going to try that hard!

Reply

[-]

Admirable-Usual1387@reddit

It’s Americans. They’re dumb as hell and incredibly entitled. Literally never had an issue and I’ve flown all over the place many times.

Reply

[-]

ClarifyingMe@reddit

Airline companies have been allowed to drastically reduce our seating space and then have the audacity to still have seats recline. It's like a twisted social experiment. I never recline but I'll always get an aisle seat to maximise the limited comfort as I cannot sit in those seats for long, I actually get bruises. I flew recently and the first leg was a newer sardine packed plane, then on the 2nd leg it was their old plane which had double the leg room space but was the short leg. Wish it'd been the reverse.

Reply

[-]

Flettie@reddit

Yes always avoid the seats at the back that don't recline. Had a blazing row with a Karen and her mother on a flight back from Doha. They reclined their seats so they almost pinned us to the bulkhead.

Reply

[-]

Spottyjamie@reddit

I have my knees up to stop the person in front of me reclining and if i cant get in my seat due the seat in front of me being too far back im using force to get in

Reply

[-]

meisandsodina@reddit

I think people should manage their expectations if they're traveling on a low-cost airline or bought an economy seat. If seats are meant to recline, then they should be reclined (except for meals). If other people find the cramped space uncomfortable, then they should either accept the situation for the duration of the flight. Otherwise, they can pay a higher price for a more comfortable seat/legroom.

Reply

[-]

FlyingCloud777@reddit

A fat lady reclined hers a bit on a BA flight I was on and she, bless her, then got stuck and couldn't get out of it without considerable help.

Reply

[-]

pineappleshampoo@reddit

Jesus. That’s one of those situations that must leave someone burning in shame at 2am for a good while!

Reply

[-]

frankyspankie@reddit

If you aren’t supposed to recline when why the fuck do the planes have them. You’re the same kind of person to sit in lane 3 of the motorway on 70mph cruise control aren’t you

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

“If you aren’t supposed to drive 180mph then why the fuck do cars allow it. I’m going to do 180mph because the car allows it”. Sound reasoning there, bud

Reply

[-]

frankyspankie@reddit

Lol

Reply

[-]

Isgortio@reddit

I'm 4'11 so my knees aren't an issue but I have had the headrest too close to my face before. It's when they keep jumping around in the seat so you can't use the tray table, or the person behind keeps jamming their knees into the back of my upright seat.

Reply

[-]

Emmabear_88@reddit

Yes. I made the error of choosing the seats at the very back of the plane with a wall behind so our seats didn't recline as much and the women in front of me reclined before take off. Her adult Daughter (I assume) said 'not very nice for other people' or words to that effect and her response was 'not my problem'. Fucking twat

Reply

[-]

reuben_iv@reddit

I’m 6’1 and not particularly slim and still never had a problem with the person in front reclining, are you all giants or just don’t know how to sit properly? If you are taller get one of the seats with extra leg room bunch of children honestly

Reply

[-]

New_Line4049@reddit

Yeah. Got on, took off, realised the pilot was fully reclined and asleep.

Reply

[-]

CptFlwrs@reddit

Travelling long haul, especially overnight, sat bolt upright? Nah, jog on. But yet another example of some weird common people war, where in reality we should be arguing with the corporate controllers who reduce and reduce leg room so to the point that this is even an issue.

Reply

[-]

dl064@reddit

This thread's a right old prick detector.

Reply

[-]

amanset@reddit

For people saying that tall people should just book a seat with extra legroom, I flew back from the far east a couple of weeks ago. I took three flights and the cost for two of those flights to book a seat with extra legroom was over a hundred quid. Per flight. Considering that I had to also get there in the first place, do you think it is acceptable to demand that tall people pay over four hundred quid more? I say we charge people to recline their seat,

Reply

[-]

splinteroflight@reddit

Yeah it fucks me off to no end lol, a girl did it when I had my legs crossed and smashed into my knee. Also, I’m a former fat lass so the tray was hard enough as it was 😂 luckily that’s not such an issue now. But they shouldn’t recline!

Reply

[-]

luckyowl91@reddit

I had this on a virgin Atlantic flight and it was horrendous my knees where up to my chest couldn't open my tray or see the screen, the flight attendant said nothing they could do as they paid for the seat which reclines and I'm also entitled to do the same. However when it came to the meal they refused to put the chair up and the flight attendant got involved and told them they had to. Pre grudgingly they did but they are so fast as soon as they were done they put it back down before I was finished making a warm cup of tea spill all over me. They were then told they had to stay upright for the remainder of the flight which they did thankfully. I see both sides points of views, it is uncomfortable but unless they are being funny about it or causing problems then theirs nothing that can really be done.

Reply

[-]

torryton3526@reddit

Never had a problem reclining my seat or with the person in front of me reclining theirs. Anyone that does is just a d!ck imo

Reply

[-]

outfitinsp0@reddit

This is interesting. I've seen this asked on non British subreddits, and the responses aren't so polarised. I recline my seat.

Reply

[-]

ohnobobbins@reddit

I never mind if people recline. If the seat can do it, they will. I don’t recline my seat, because it’s unpleasant for the person behind me. If I have a kicker behind me I sit forward as much as I can and hope they stop! I don’t know… the world is full of people trying to be nice in trying situations. It’s a small space. Try to be kind.

Reply

[-]

alytee100@reddit

Yes. Flight from Orlando to London, I was the very back row so reclining was not an option for me. Girl in front of me insisted on reclining constantly. Even whilst food and drinks being served. Coffee was nearly spilt. I took the low road and put my knees up so she could only reclining a certain amount. Not being able to recline myself meant I had even less room in front of me when she reclined on a 9 hour flight. I stand by my actions.

Reply

[-]

workpoo99@reddit

If the seat can recline, I will recline it. I’ll bring it back up for meals. If you can’t fit it’s not my fault, spend the money on extra legroom.

Reply

[-]

notouttolunch@reddit

They don’t recline that far on an economy plane and they recline from a point that has minimal impact on leg space. The biggest issue is the top of the chair being in your face. The reality is all airlines select their own seat pitch so it depends who you fly with really…

Reply

[-]

Icy-Revolution6105@reddit

I've only never been on an airplane where the seats recline more than about 2mm. But in this scenario, knee pusher sounds more irritating. He could have just spoken to the woman before going for the passive aggressive option. Of course, she could have said no, and then she'd be in the wrong.

Reply

[-]

Katodz@reddit

Long haul, seat recline when the lights go off.

Reply

[-]

frumentorum@reddit

I once was on a flight where the seat in front of me declined about twice as far as any of the others - I assume it was faulty. I was basically looking down on their forehead for the 6 hour flight. I'm already pretty tall, but I couldn't even see the screen for the inflight entertainment system. Complained to an attendant but they just said "they're allowed to recline their seat" ignoring that it was obviously reclined further than it should.

Reply

[-]

beachyfeet@reddit

Yes and for that reason if I'm forced to fly I pay for extra legroom.

Reply

[-]

bopeepsheep@reddit

Yup, a guy in front of me kept trying to recline during meal service and was flummoxed that he was asked not to by the attendant as well as by me. My 7-month-pregnancy bump meant if he did I couldn't even get my tray down, let alone eat my meal. As soon as the meal was cleared he did it anyway, and was then quite annoyed that I bumped him every time I got up to pee. Which is quite often when you're pregnant, and even more so when you're doing it to annoy someone. After an hour or two he sat upright again.

Reply

[-]

pintofendlesssummer@reddit

Person in front reclines , just recline your seats too.

Reply

[-]

Colleen987@reddit

I don’t stress about people reclining their seats, but I had a lady who flipped her hair over her seat on my last long haul, so it blocked the TV. She did not care a bit about my asking her to move it. That annoyed me a lot.

Reply

[-]

NYCRealist@reddit

Unless he was in the very back row, he could have reclined as well? This is how civilized people would handle things, she certainly had the right to.

Reply

[-]

Same-Shit-New-Day@reddit

Jet 2 to Palma ? Never had a problem.

Reply

[-]

Apidium@reddit

The seat reclines you can recline it. Ultimately the fact that the airline shoved too many seats in doesn't really change things for the person who wants to use a function of their seat. The airline could install seats that do not recline if they wanted too. I don't find the 'people are tall' argument super persuasive. Very tall people cannot fit in the seats if the person in front reclines or not. Yes medium tall people are inconvenienced but that's the airlines fault. If you want you can book seats that have extra leg room and if you do not fit into the seat then that's what you have to do.

Reply

[-]

Gold_Bluebird_4023@reddit

I did on a flight to Amsterdam, they refused to put it back up when I kindly asked them (I’m 6’5 and struggled to fit in the seat anyway), so asked the attendant who kindly moved me to the emergency door/entry seat instead.

Reply

[-]

whippetrealgood123@reddit

Yes, we were on a flight for roughly 7/8 hours and the family in front were a pain. It was a night time flight and they let their child do summersaults, scream and shout non stop, eventually the guy next to us started shouting at them to control their child. The dad put his chair right back, so far that my partner couldn't see his screen or use the tray bit, he kept asking for him to sit more upright cause he couldn't watch anything. Total wankstain of a family.

Reply

[-]

pineappleshampoo@reddit

No, I don’t blame passengers at all, if the seats are designed to be reclined they have every right to use it. If the person behind me was unusually tall and their legs were being really jammed in then I would stop the recline, but I wouldn’t think anyone was a dick for not doing that. Same as obese passengers spilling into the seat next to them and complaining when their seat neighbour needs to use the arm rest. You can be kind and acquiesce but you don’t owe it to anyone not to use the features you’ve paid for.

Reply

[-]

El_Zilcho@reddit

As a tall person I fucking dread economy class because if the person reclines back they are crushing my knees and reclining myself does not alleviate the issue. I feel that short distance, budget airlines could save a lot more weight therefore fuel and therefore money by removing the reclining mechanisms from their seats, and would attract more business from the likes of me. Even the RyanAir perching seat concept is more agreeable to me than the passenger in front given access to reclining. If I fly long distance these days, I go business.

Reply

[-]

IntermediateFolder@reddit

Most budget airlines don’t have reclining seats. Also you can book a seat in the emergency aisle with space in front of you, imo better than business class.

Reply

[-]

iamabigtree@reddit

Ryanair doesn't have reclining seats and nor do any of the low cost carriers IME

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

They didn’t say they did

Reply

[-]

MaltDizney@reddit

They kind of did

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Where did they say that Ryanair have reclining seats? And not all budget airlines are short haul

Reply

[-]

teekay61@reddit

I think it's fair game to recline other than during mealtimes. I'm relatively tall (6'3") and it's usually not that bad having someone reclining in front of me.

Reply

[-]

IntermediateFolder@reddit

Just because the seat reclines doesn’t mean you’re entitled to shove it into someone’s face.

Reply

[-]

klc81@reddit

You have the right to recline your seat, I have the right to cough directly onto the top of your head. Everyone wins.

Reply

[-]

Actual-Obligation61@reddit

its when the pilot reclines their seat and asks if you'd "like a go on his joystick" you have to worry.

Reply

[-]

Reesno33@reddit

Each seat should have a button to allow or not allow the seat in front to recline.

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

That’s a good idea, I like it

Reply

[-]

running_on_fumes25@reddit

Jet 2 have the right idea. Their seats don't recline.

Reply

[-]

Financial-Couple-836@reddit

For me personally I won’t recline if the person behind me has a non reclining seat 🤷‍♂️

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

Then the domino effect is that nobody can, surely?

Reply

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Sounds good to me

Reply

[-]

Financial-Couple-836@reddit

Well if the person in front of me knew why I had done it and wouldn’t want to recline for that reason I guess, but…

Reply

[-]

Nice_Back_9977@reddit

Its like the last biscuit. Its rude to take the last one, so nobody ever will, which essentially makes the penultimate biscuit the last one in reality, so then it becomes rude to take that one, but then when there are only three biscuits left and the last two are definitely rude it then becomes rude to take the third because its become the last biscuit...

Reply

[-]

porksandrecreation@reddit

I hate it. It makes me feel so trapped like you don’t have much space anyway and now you have less. As much as I don’t like it, I know people are well in their right so I’d never say anything. I do wish people would be a bit more aware of the person behind them before they recline though as I was once behind someone who reclined before the plane doors were closed and I was bent down putting my bag under the seat when I got a chair to the head.

Reply

[-]

ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

If you do it in economy you’re a c@nt simple as that.

Reply

[-]

impossiblejane@reddit

I just flew BA to the States in April. I was in the centre aisle of four seats. The guy in front of me was so fat and tall and he struggled to get in and out. He'd lean on the seat head rest and it pushed the seat so far back it was practically hitting me in the face (and this is all before he reclined the chair). Then when he finally sat down, he reclined the seat. When he needed to go to the toilet, he wouldn't put his seat back in the upright position, and when trying to get out needed to lean on the headrest to hoist himself out and this time the seat was hitting me due to the pressure he was exerting on the seat. I had to push the back of the seat to ensure I didn't get smashed in the face. I also get a vegetarian meal and it always comes out before the main service so I had to eat with the seat in my face because he wouldn't put his seat up until the wider announcement came on. I'm getting too old for this shit. I know it's momentary discomfort but 6 hours In a tin can with a fat man pushing the seat was enough travel for a couple years for me.

Reply

[-]

Superb-Ad-8823@reddit

My wife did on an Indiego flight in india. The guy wouldn't move his seat to the upright position for take off. He was eventually put right by the cabin staff. Furthermore he told the cabin staff to tell us to stop talking. The cabin staff apologised for the said passengers behaviour and wrote a wee note to my wife to apologise yet again plus free biscuits.

Reply

[-]

gazmbuku@reddit

We try and get back row of any section to recline freely. Saves all the agro. If someone infront reclines it's not bad either

Reply

[-]

Starlinkukbeta@reddit

Book a seat in the emergency aisle. More leg room, and the seat in front can’t recline.

Reply

[-]

pikantnasuka@reddit

Reclining your seat is less of a need than having actual leg room

Reply

[-]

iamabigtree@reddit

No. As my recent flights have been easyJet Tenerife. Jet2 Spain and Norwegian Copenhagen. None of the seats reclined

Reply

[-]

No_Ferret_5450@reddit

People are free to recline their seat as well and therefore get there space back. Just don’t recline during meals and take off and landing

Reply

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

Reclining your seat doesn't give you extra leg space, which is the problem OP has highlighted.

Reply

[-]

pender81@reddit

how does reclining your back get the space back lost in the leg area?

Reply

[-]

pender81@reddit

I basically had the same, with an Argentinian lady on a flight in South America. She suddenly and unexpectedly tried to recline, my knees were in the way so she couldn't get back. Had she apologised and asked politely, I probably would have relented but her and her husband she just shouted at me in Spanish, so I dug in and jammed my knees for the full 4 hour flight. A proper endurance test while they both sporadically yelled angry comments over the seat at me.

Reply

[-]

BastardsCryinInnit@reddit

In my personal travels? No. When I was cabin crew back in the day? A few times. And each time the passengers were told reclining the chair is a feature of the seat, we're not sitting here forever, sometimes we just have to put up with it. But that was back then, and with selfishness and main character syndrome rife these days, I can only imagine how much more frequent and shitty people are. **If the seat reclines, people are allowed to recline and you should put up and shut up**

Reply

[-]

BoopingBurrito@reddit

I think that if you recline your chair then you're choosing to increase the likelihood of someone's legs pushing into the back of your chair. Everyone knows that distance between aircraft seats isn't enough for anyone of even pretty average height to be comfortable, let alone anyone taller (or anyone with unusually long legs for their height). If you choose to reduce that space, then...there's likely to be consequences, like having someone pressing against the back of your seat as they struggle to get comfortable. The other person being able to recline as well does absolutely nothing to increase the space for their legs, so I don't really understand the whole "if the person in front of you reclines, then you should recline your seat as well if you want to be comfy". Fundamentally reclining seats were fine back in the day when airlines didn't have aircraft designed to be jampacked like sardines. But as the distance between seats has been steadily reduced, continuing to have reclining seats is just silly.

Reply

[-]

Islandboy67@reddit

Being 6'4" seat reclining people are my pet hate; thankfully it's nowhere near as common as it used to be, but then I always purchase extra leg room. It's the assholes who as soon as they put their seatbelt on, the seat gets whanged back, without a consideration for anyone else. I have jammed my knees in the back of the seat preventing the person in front from reclining 😜 As for people who wear neck pillows on a 30 minute flight, don't get me started!

Reply

[-]

hhfugrr3@reddit

Never had a problem with it. If you do, then take it out on the airline's owners not the other people around you.

Reply

[-]

Infinite_Crow_3706@reddit

I wish that none could recline. Causes too much ill feeling plus saves a fraction of the cost.

Reply

[-]

buy_me_a_pint@reddit

Yes, it was the air crew who told the person to put their seat back up as meals were being served

Reply

[-]

spidertattootim@reddit

I'm 6 ft 2 (most of which is legs) and a bit fat, I don't have a problem with the person in front of me reclining their seat. I can do the same and then I'm as comfortable as it's possible to be in the cheap seats.

Reply

[-]

pip_goes_pop@reddit

As someone who's 6' 2" this is a bugbear of mine. I end up paying extra for seats with extra legroom or with nobody in front. It's like a tall tax. I accept on a long flight people want to recline and have a snooze, so I just suffer in silence. I just wish people would be a little considerate and maybe not recline as far as the seat will go. Only once was the plane so cramped that I had to ask someone to un-recline so I wasn't in agony. The guy was an arse about it unfortunately, but no real "altercation" (it was a short flight, in daytime, and he reclined *immediately*). I saw a lady once finish her meal, and immediately recline fully. The selfish cow didn't think about the guy behind her still eating, and her actions meant his dessert when all over his top! One funny experience was a flight on Air Madagascar. Their fleet has seen better days for sure. I thought the guy in front was being an arse by reclining immediately, but it turns out his seat was just broken! He was very apologetic bless him. The cheaper short-haul airlines don't have seats that recline, so for me that's always a relief.

Reply

[-]

Mel-but@reddit

I’ve never traveled on a plane but on trains the base of the seat moves forward and the backrest pivots from the top. This means that even if someone is is behind you their space is not altered (which they often aren’t because most train seats are back to back in first class). I’m absolutely baffled as to why plane seats can’t be designed like this, it just makes more sense

Reply

[-]

Dnny10bns@reddit

Nope. I expect it on long haul flights. Never been an issue. Short haul, it's rare for seats to recline. Too tall, get a fking seat more suited to your dimensions. Seats recline for a reason.

Reply

[-]

chartedfredsun@reddit

I once had a long haul flight. Tried to recline just slightly and felt I had hit the guy behind. Sat myself up and apologised. It was a shame because most other people on the flight managed to recline and sleep for a good few hours but it’s just one of those things.

Reply

[-]

liebackandthinkofeng@reddit

I just ask the person behind me if it’s okay for me to recline. If they say no, then I don’t recline. I recline for a bit more comfort but it’s not a necessity. If it’s going to piss someone off or make them uncomfortable then I’m fine without

Reply

[-]

Sleepyllama23@reddit

The person reclining should ask the person behind first. You could have a hot drink spilled on you if the seat in front suddenly jolts back. There’s precious little leg room as it is so unless it’s a long enough flight to warrant people sleeping, they should really keep their seat upright to avoid causing discomfort and sore knees for others.

Reply

[-]

BlakeC16@reddit

I've suffered in silence and thought hateful thoughts about the person reclining back into my knees, but I've not got into an altercation about it or anything like that.

Reply

[-]

BanditKing99@reddit

She was pushing the chair continually, the person behind was fully in the wrong

Reply

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - When repling to submission/post please **make genuine efforts to answer the question given**. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*

Reply