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Is it rude to fully recline your airline seat?

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20 Comments

  • Vahid - 10 years ago

    It is indeed rude to build that tight and packed seats.

  • Catherine - 10 years ago

    When enough flights have been diverted, the airlines will fix the problem. Let the battle rage on!

  • Rose Fekech - 10 years ago

    Erin,
    Of course we should be able to fully recline our seats. They really don't go that far back anyways. I recline, you recline and all is fair for the taking. If you have overly long legs, or are overly large, you should pay for a bigger seat or get there early and get the emergency exit seat! At the end if the flight, this is all about money anyways. Not leg space. The space taken for the recline is my paid space, not yours!

  • Sven - 10 years ago

    I guess it it easy to throw our cup of water on fellow passenger or on the Airline industry as a whole, when our personal space is infringed. And certainly, I would have the tendency to do the same.
    I have been fortunate to be able to fly over the Atlantic as well as taken many domestic trips by air. Undisputedly, the quality of comfort has declined. But also, I think, the price in dollars have never been lower. For this, we have the general deregulation and internet companies as Expedia, etc, to thank. Or maybe, to un-thank. After all, when the law of the jungle is allowed to rule, it becomes the law of the jungle.

    I just browsed the web and found following interesting website: http://www.seatguru.com/charts/longhaul_economy.php (maybe I should keep it just to myself - I will definitely consult it next time I fly.)

    As far as reclining - I usually do not recline fully. However, if the passenger in front of me reclines fully, I cannot but recline fully myself. I too paid to fly.

  • Ebenezer Dada - 10 years ago

    I think U.S airways are a bit better when it comes to this issue as i enjoyed a nice leather seat and more space first time in my life this summer, others are nothing to write home about. Yes, people have the right to recline their seat due to Health and Safety issue also to have a better long haul journey comfortably. Should in case i recline my seat i expect the passenger behind me to either accept my condition or join me in reclining his or her own seat.

    Reclining the seat is very vital for any long haul journey in order to avoid unnecessary cramp or groin around the leg which later on can have a serious legal effect on airlines.

  • Anthony - 10 years ago

    It is totally the airline problem. If the design allows a decline, then all pax should be allowed and have the right to decline. Pax shouldn't ask others not to decline just because s/he doesnt fit well in his/her seat. Either the airlines should redesign to make it bigger for everyone, or those passengers should purchase a bigger seat in different class.

  • Elizabeth - 10 years ago

    When I first heard (over a year ago now) of rumblings of this notion that it's rude to recline your seat on a plane I thought it was absurd. I still think it's absurd. I hate traveling for many reasons and this is just another one of them. People are allowed a small purse or other item and a carry on luggage. People who come on with only one small item should be putting that under the seat in front of them too; but I'm sure they feel since they only have one item they can use space above in the overhead. The airlines have systems that somehow "alert" them that the overhead space is probably filled. Consequently, when I pack light and have the small carry on and appropriately sized carry on - I usually end up having to check my carry on and then wait on baggage claim for it most often because I am in the later boarding zones. The seat reclining thing is just one more issue to have to deal with. I don't go shoving people's lighter carry on item around just because I'm pissed I didn't get overhead space. You fly in anything but first class and you just are going to deal with discomfort, period. Take it up with the airlines. The person reclining didn't invent these seats nor install them. Why should we have to walk on eggshells or get verbally assaulted when using something that is there for us to use in the first place? Buy your tickets early and sit in an exit row or bulkhead row if you require extra room or have a problem with a reclining seat.

  • Stacy - 10 years ago

    It is rude to make an entire plane divert to the nearest airport because you are acting like a giant baby!

  • Jennifer - 10 years ago

    How can it be rude when the seats are made to recline? I am tall. It helps me from having to be slouched over in my seat with my knees hitting the back of the seat in front of me when my seat is straight up. When reclined I am able to sit back and my knees do not hit the back of the seat. If the person behind me has the same situation they can then recline their seat. Or the airlines can deal with the situation they caused by moving seats further apart again.

  • Maricor Andan - 10 years ago

    Airline seats are designed to recline to give comfort to the passengers. Especially in a long travel, passengers recline their seats to relax. I don't have to ask permission to the passenger sitting at my back if I need to recline my seat. I don't think it's rude. Airlines should adjust the distance in between seats and don't cramped passengers like sardines.

  • Maricor Andan - 10 years ago

    Airline seats are designed to recline to give comfort to the passengers. Especially in a long travel, passengers recline their seats to relax. I don't have to ask permission to the passenger sitting at my back if I need to recline my seat. I don't think it's rude. Airlines should adjust the distance in between seats and don't cramped passengers like sardines.

  • Anthony L. - 10 years ago

    When you already know thes airlines have taken up the put all the seats in sardine can formation it is rude to implant your selfishness on the seat further no one likes these seats and their should be a push to improve the seating you do it for the car you drive we should be demanding fair seating arrangements since it's on our dime

  • Tedd - 10 years ago

    Speaking as a traveller with over 2-million air miles I've dealt with issue innumerable times. The space between the seats, even in first-class, has lessened in nearly all planes in recent years. Frankly, the luxury of room to recline no longer exists. Because I never liked to be crowded by the passenger in front I usually didn't recline. It's about mutual respect. The recline function needs to be diabled on all commercial aircraft, period.

  • Tedd - 10 years ago

    Speaking as a traveller with over 2-million air miles I've dealt with issue innumerable times. The space between the seats, even in first-class, has lessened in nearly all planes in recent years. Frankly, the luxury of room to recline no longer exists. Because I never liked to be crowded by the passenger in front I usually didn't recline. It's about mutual respect. The recline function needs to be diabled on all commercial aircraft, period.

  • Erin - 10 years ago

    It is not rude. Plus, some people may need to recline their seat due to a disability. My husband is one such instance.

  • Zach - 10 years ago

    whats more rude is airlines putting passengers in this position to begin with! Maybe if passengers had a little more space or leg room reclining wouldnt be a problem.

  • Tiffany - 10 years ago

    If they are made to recline then everyone has the right to recline. Get mad at the airlines for not giving enough space versus the person trying to get comfortable. They paid for their flight too and if they want to recline and sleep then so be it!

  • Brian - 10 years ago

    Well said, John.

  • anthony - 10 years ago

    I don't see why is there a debate about this. If seats would not be meant to be reclined, they should be fixed like a regular chair. I will recline whenever it's allowed. If there are people who feel entitled to more space, then travel in first class.

  • John - 10 years ago

    The problem with Airlines in general is we are cramped in like sardines. Any way we can be comfortable we will take. I have been on flights before where the person in front of me fully reclined their seat and yes it is uncomfortable for me as well as rude especially if I am using my laptop.

    The best suggestion is when you are going to recline your seat be sure to ask the person sitting behind you if it is OK. Technically you are going into their space.

    Think about it this way do onto others as you would want them to do onto you.

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