Reclining on an airplane

[LeaningCy]

Generally speaking, I go along with the majority, which means I never recline on daytime domestic flights, but do recline on overnight flights to Europe, like most everyone else.

I don't usually get annoyed when someone else reclines. Only exception is when a guy reclined immediately, then spent the entire flight leaned forward, not using his backrest at all. That guy should be ejected at cruising altitude.

 

[RollClones14]

I fly a lot and think reclining mid-flight is fine - especially anything 4+ hours. Always check to see if they have a computer or drink before you throw the seat back.

It's the people who recline the moment they sit down while everyone is getting organized and situated that drive me nuts.

 

[Bigman38]

Why do I have to be uncomfortable because of someone else.? I had to ride a bus from DC back to Iowa. The couple behind me would get ticked if we reclined into them because they were too tall they said. They reclined slightly themselves. I got zero sleep on the way home because I couldn't get comfortable due to sitting straight up.

If you need the extra leg room buy the business class (front row of the regular cabin) or first class. Don't bother me because you are too cheap to buy what you should.

Lets be real, both of you were too cheap to buy what you should.

 

[Stormin]

Reclining is a **** move that tells everyone that your comfort is more important than the people behind you. I spent a two hour flight with my knee firmly embedded in the back of someone's seat because they did that.

Just wondering if I sit in First Class or Comfort Plus is a person allowed to recline. Or does that person eat the couple hundred dollars they paid? The advertising promoting those seats highlights the additional recline you get and additional leg room.

Why don’t you pay and get a comfortable seat since standard seats are uncomfortable for you?

 

[Beernuts]

If someone leans back in front of me...then I lean back on my seat. I want to reclaim my territory! But when I lean back I say to the person behind me "sorry, the person in front of me is leaning into my area and that is why I am leaning into yours"

See...then it's the jerk in front of me that started this whole mess.

 

[BCClone]

Lets be real, both of you were too cheap to buy what you should.

It was a school trip so there wasn't any choice. It was bus or drive yourself out there and all around. Went one other time and everyone else reclined without any issue.

 

[madguy30]

Everyone should have to disclose their height when responding haha

I'm in the no reclining camp unless airlines are going to give back those couple of inches of legroom, which clearly isn't going to happen.
When your knees/legs are already touching the seat in front of you "only reclining a couple inches" is the difference between mild discomfort, and pain/complete discomfort.

I don't fly often, so when I do I typically pay for upgrades to get get better seats, if the price is reasonable.

Reasonable flight prices?

Can we keep a thread from going off the rails with crazy notions just once!?

 

[isufbcurt]

I mean, who flies commercial anymore?

Just buy your own plane with Cash like the rest of us

 

[ScottyP]

I don't recline on an airplane. It is uncomfortable either way. Might as well not piss off the person behind me while I'm at it.

 

[Beernuts]

IMO, being in a window/aisle seat and then taking up the armrest that you share with the poor middle seat person is much worse than reclining a seat. The armrest hoggers are the worst. I’m not immature enough to fight for it the whole flight and if you have a window or aisle, you already have that going for you

well said and I agree with your theory of armrest territory.

It's the person who gets on the plane with the family size Doritos bag, head rest pillow, large coffee and magazine is the one I try to avoid. You know they are going to spill crumbs, hit you with their pillow as their oversized magazine takes up the armrests and go to the bathroom at least 4 times.

 

[HFCS]

Do whatever, just don't constantly change from one to the other, and if you do recline do it slowly in case I have something on the tray table.

 

[SouthJerseyCy]

However, when I sit in coach, if someone reclines, then I cannot open my laptop . . . partly a fat tummy problem too!

I had someone crack my laptop screen because they slammed back their seat without warning.

The only time I'll recline is on a red-eye flight. It's just considerate is all.

 

[HFCS]

well said and I agree with your theory of armrest territory.

It's the person who gets on the plane with the family size Doritos bag, head rest pillow, large coffee and magazine is the one I try to avoid. You know they are going to spill crumbs, hit you with their pillow as their oversized magazine takes up the armrests and go to the bathroom at least 4 times.

I'm a pretty slim guy and on my last flight I had a middle seat. This window seat lady looks at me before she even sits down and moans "they're packing us in here like sardines". I'm looking around the cabin at the MANY passengers who weigh 50-150lbs more than I do and wondering what this crazy woman was hoping for.

 

[SouthJerseyCy]

I had someone crack my laptop screen because they slammed back their seat without warning.

The only time I'll recline is on a red-eye flight. It's just considerate is all.

Made me think of another story. Recently the wife and I took a trip to Mexico. We took a day trip by bus to see some ruins. This is a large tour bus. Guys in front of us were 2 people in the large 4 person seats with the table in the middle. They could literally stretch their legs across if they wanted. One of the db's decides to recline WAY back into my wife's space. We were nice and did not complain until he decided to scoot over into the adjacent seat and leave his emptied seat reclining back. At that point I let him know what a jerk he was. Have a little bit of awareness of others...

 

[besserheimerphat]

Take it up with the airline. Not my fault I was born 5'11''.

Holy ****, I feel bad for your mother!

 

[cycloneworld]

As someone who travels nearly weekly...

Recline your seat. Airplane seats recline only a couple of inches. It's not like you're laying them back into somebody's lap.

Same but I'm on the opposite end. I won't recline if someone is behind me as a common courtesy because, its only a couple of inches and doesn't make me more comfortable. It is your right to recline and its my right to think you are an ass hole for reclining.

But if you are tall and like to work on flights, it REALLY sucks when someone in front of you reclines because you cannot work on your laptop on most planes.

That said, if you fly enough then you'll have good status and get Economy+ with frequent upgrades to First so I don't get worked up about it anymore.

 

[besserheimerphat]

IMO, being in a window/aisle seat and then taking up the armrest that you share with the poor middle seat person is much worse than reclining a seat. The armrest hoggers are the worst. I’m not immature enough to fight for it the whole flight and if you have a window or aisle, you already have that going for you

You're gonna have to fight my love handles for it...

 

[Stormin]

Do whatever, just don't constantly change from one to the other, and if you do recline do it slowly in case I have something on the tray table.

Middle gets both armrests. Bigger issue than recline IMO. And recline slowly. No need to slam back. I pay the extra money for premium seats as the amenities help with my physical issues. Others should consider premium seats if they have issues with standard seating. “I’m too tall, you can’t recline.” sounds like a cheap person concerned only about themselves and won’t spend their own money to solve their own problem.

 

[BCClone]

You're gonna have to fight my love handles for it...

That middle person did save $30 by getting a middle seat. I generally try to give it to them but I'm second guessing it now.

 

[cycloneworld]

It's a real **** move to recline your seat before takeoff because flight attendants are going to make you undo it before you take off.