Aeroplane Travel - Reclining Seat Issues

bobbified on 13/06/2017 - 13:57

I saw another article this morning where some users have written in to call for the banning of reclining seats on an aircraft.

I did a quick search and, given that a lot of us would travel on a budget, was quite surprised to not find any threads in this forum about reclining seats on an aircraft.

I fly regularly (more domestic nowadays, than international) and recline my seat almost every time but I've never had anyone raise an issue with it. Nor have I had any issues with anyone in front of me who decides to recline their seat in front of me.

Normally, I would take note of the person behind me - if I see a huge person, I'd try avoid reclining for as long as I can. During meal times, I definitely lift my seat back to the upright position.

There seem to be a lot of people who call for the banning of reclining seats. Me personally, there's no way that I'd be able to do anything more than a domestic flight with a seat in such an upright position. The seats have been designed in an upright (and unnatural) position to assist in the evacuation of the flight in an emergency - hence the reason they need to be in that position for takeoff and landing with tray tables stowed (takeoff and landing are the stages of the flight where there's likely to an emergency).

So, I'm wondering if arguments/fights onboard are actually that common. Share your stories!

Poll Options

  • 58
    I paid for my seat - it's my right to recline anytime!
  • 374
    I recline only when it's not meal time
  • 181
    I never recline my seat and I have an issue with the person in front of me reclining theirs
  • 12
    I recline my seat but have an issue with the person in front of me reclining theirs
Travel

Comments

  • furys12 on 14/06/2017 - 09:35

    Like it or not but these days if you want room to play you have to pay for it, you should absolutely plan your flight with the knowledge that room is a premium and for some semblance of comfort the seats recline, no one is being a dick or inconsiderate if they recline (like a normal human being)

    As such i dont take my large laptop anymore and i consider seat selection to be an integral non-optional part of a flight price, ill make sure i don't get stuck with a terrible set and its not on me if you don't.

    note: british airways actually make you upright your seat during meal time which was nice, reclining in meal time is considered a dick move in bird culture

    • JimmyF on 14/06/2017 - 10:13
      -4

      if you want room to play you have to pay for it,

      Well I 'paid' for space already, that should mean no reclining into my SPACE, should it not! I mean I paid for space.

  • antonthenet on 14/06/2017 - 09:36
    +1

    You've paid for a seat that can recline, so go for your life. Sometimes it's not even that much of a recline.

    Someone is this story disagrees with me however.
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-06/police-called-after-re…

  • Randxyz123 on 14/06/2017 - 09:43
    +3

    I find it very hard to believe that the most responses on the poll are people saying they don't recline their seat

    • carwashhair on 14/06/2017 - 10:27

      waah? 'I recline ONLY when it's not meal time'= 'I recline for ALL times except meal time'. i.e. We have a lot of recliners.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/06/2017 - 08:33

      Believe it, chump. I'm not able to have the person in front recline due to my size so I don't recline either.

  • idonotknowwhy on 14/06/2017 - 10:01
    +1

    I'm > 6 ft tall, and I don't mind if people in front of me recline their seats outside of meal time. They have paid for the privilege.
    I sometimes slowly recline my seat outside of meal time, usually when the person in front of me has done it first.

  • JimmyF on 14/06/2017 - 10:02
    +1

    Seats shouldn't be reclined full stop unless its a night time 'flight' and people are trying to sleep.

    Airlines are to blame for this, they keep reducing the 'space' between the rows. In the 'olden days' when you had leg room and 'space', a reclining seat didn't impact your space much.

    • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 11:00
      +4

      unless its a night time 'flight' and people are trying to sleep.

      While I generally agree with your comment, "night time" will have a different meaning for different passengers - more particularly on international flights where you've got travellers from different time-zones travelling together. So some people will want to sleep and others will be wide awake. Domestic flights could have passengers who have just got off a long international flight and are taking a domestic flight to their destination.

      On most long flights, even during the day time, crew generally dim the lights and ask for the blinds to be pulled down to cater for these passengers who need some rest. There's the reading light for anyone that's wide awake that wants to read.

      • JimmyF on 14/06/2017 - 13:16
        -7

        Ok then, we'll make it easy if we can't clearly define night time. No recline at all. If you want to sleep, you have to sleep 'upright' like everyone else :)

        If one is tired enough, one will sleep!

        • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 13:58
          +5

          So you're one of thoooose people! haha

        • JimmyF on 14/06/2017 - 14:51

          @bobbified: yes one of those long legged people, guessing you're one of those short legged ones ;)

        • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 14:57
          +2

          @JimmyF:

          you guessed right! haha!

    • syme321 on 15/06/2017 - 16:50
      +1

      I think it should be banned for flights under say 2hrs - you sit at your work desk for longer than that and don't feel the need to recline.

      As for paying for the 'right to recline', you could also argue you paid for the right to have a certain amount of leg and air space too.

    • dufflover on 16/06/2017 - 18:05

      Airlines are to blame for this, they keep reducing the 'space' between the rows. In the 'olden days' when you had leg room and 'space', a reclining seat didn't impact your space much.

      Yes so true. If they still wanted to cram seats then they could at least restrict the recline range for them for short flights.

      Ofcourse they won't do that cos it costs them more for different seat types and reduces the flexibility to assign planes around to different routes

  • Gershom on 14/06/2017 - 10:15
    +1

    Fly first class, no problems. Honestly, you plebs!

  • bs0 on 14/06/2017 - 10:40
    +1

    6'2" I recline when the person in front of me does on international flights, and never on short domestic flights.

    Had a few flights where I've arrived early and been given an exit row seat (being nice and cheerful helps).

    • SirFlibbled on 14/06/2017 - 10:48

      I find the ability to get an exit row (with Qantas at least) is less and less likely no matter how early you are. The seats are pre-assigned to frequent flyers.

      • bs0 on 14/06/2017 - 11:50

        This was other airlines

    • T1OOO on 14/06/2017 - 11:58

      heres one for medium players, ONLY take the seat if its no a window seat! its too cramp, a very very bad experience! as if its the isle seat then your all sweat.

      • bs0 on 14/06/2017 - 12:01

        Been in both, been fine

        • T1OOO on 14/06/2017 - 12:08

          im a bigger guy 6ft2 and gave up my isle seat for it, and regreted every minute on the 2 hour flight!

  • slow on 14/06/2017 - 10:42
    +2

    Once on a Cathay flight they had seats where when you recline the bottom of the seat slides forward so you are eating into your own space rather than the person behind. Worked really well

    • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 10:48

      I remember those cocoon shells - I found them really uncomfortable. The "reclining" wasn't actually a recline - it was like sliding down halfway in a chair, bending the lower back.

      Happy they got rid of those not long after I started flying with them.

    • Skramit on 14/06/2017 - 11:59

      This type of seat are horrendous. If I recall Qantas had them for a little while but have since ditched them. They are terribly uncomfortable for anyone taller than 6 foot.

      • slewis69au on 14/06/2017 - 12:18

        I fly a LOT - put it this way when my flying accelerated about 10 years ago i went from Qantas Silver to Qantas platinum in 5 months all discount economy tickets :) And that wasn't the only airline i was flying. I have maintained that as well as gold in two other programs.

        I am a 6"1 big guy and i loved those seats. Very comfortable, and i loved knowing EXACTLY how much space i had, i could put cables in the seat back pocket and have them running around without worrying about reclining damaging them (seat moves, tray doesn't), etc. Also i never had to go to sleep and have someone wake me up by reclining into my head (has happened more times than i can count).

        I accept that i am in the minority however, i don't get it but people hated those seats.

        • Skramit on 14/06/2017 - 12:20

          I am 6'3 and hate them because they provide zero lumbar support in the recline position for somebody of my size.

          Every body shape will have a different experience though.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/06/2017 - 11:37
    +2

    I was on an international flight and was seated on the last row before the toilets on an Air Asia flight. Isle seat on right side of plane. It was the single worst seat on the plane and really should not be there.

    The seat was 2 inches forward (so 2 inches less space) in comparison to the seat right next to me and the seat does not recline (something is stored right behind me). My knee was pressed hard against the seat in front when it wasn't reclined. Of course, the passenger in front reclines his seat and my knee feels as thought its being crushed.

    The heater didn't work midway through the flight and free premium blankets were handed out. Being in the last row, they ran out.

    The flight was so horrid for me that I ended up standing in the reserve space for the crew. I think the crew knew that my seat isn't quite standard nor acceptable as not a single one of them asked me to get back to my seat. Spent 6 hours standing on an 8 hour flight.

    TLDR - I don't recline because I don't want to crush a tall person's knee.

    • donkeydoc on 15/06/2017 - 09:30
      +1

      unlucky, reduce your leg length!

      • [Deactivated] on 15/06/2017 - 10:39
        +1

        I tried, but as it turns out, all I did was poop.

  • harsh1571 on 14/06/2017 - 11:44
    +1

    I have never had an issue with reclining seats until a recent flight. I had a exit row seat and reclined back after take off and the man behind me shoved my seat forward. He seemed to believe that having the extra legroom I shouldn't recline backwards. Never had the problem before and after consulting with the air hostess the man was asked to relocate to another empty seat allow me to recline as I am allowed to. During the return flight I informed the person behind me that i would be reclining even before take off. She seemed bewildered that I would inform her and told me she has no problems with it.

    I agree with putting my seat upright at meals not only is it courteous, but also a requirement on all the airlines i traveled in. However at all other times i reserve my right to recline my seat, especially for long hauls.

  • T1OOO on 14/06/2017 - 11:56

    i think that i only do it as a counter measure to someone doing it in front of me, i mean you get so little extra room in any event its not worth the hassel!

  • Skramit on 14/06/2017 - 12:02
    +1

    The recline during meal time issue is really simple to solve. You simply ask the flight attendant to ask the person in fron of you to put their seat back upright. Works every time.

    I recline my seat when appropriate.

    I only get annoyed when the person in front reclines their seat for a long flight but sits upright not leaning against their seat back. Often a common problem with kids :)

    • slewis69au on 14/06/2017 - 12:19
      +1

      Yep that drives me mental as well. Not just kids either.

      Recline the seat fully and then lean forward for the whole flight…. F&*^^ING annoying.

    • lainey13 on 14/06/2017 - 12:40
      -1

      Had a 8hr overnighter on the weekend, chick had an entire row to herself, she moved to the second seat (out of 4) and proceeded to NOT LIE DOWN WHATSOEVER. Total waste!!! Such an idiot!

    • JimmyF on 14/06/2017 - 13:20

      I do the same and it does work 100% of the time when the flight attendant asks them :)

  • itchyscratchy on 14/06/2017 - 12:25

    I was on an overnight flight back from Japan. I reclined my seat to sleep and there was an American guy sitting behind me, kept kicking the seat. I tried to ignore it, then his wife sitting on my row asked me to put the seat back up….

    • Zondor on 14/06/2017 - 12:39

      My mother had a similar issue on an 8 hour overnight flight back from KL. The Person behind would push the seat forwards to prevent her from reclining. After calling the flight attendant to allow her to put her seat back, he punched the back of the headrest.

      Personally, I hate being in an exit row with no reclining. I have very long legs and sitting in the default position really hurts after a while.

    • JimmyF on 14/06/2017 - 13:19
      +1

      might not have been kicking it on purpose. If you have long legs like me, there isn't much room, and movement/contact with the back of the seat, feels 'massive' to the person in front.

      But yeah, the wife asking. You should have turned around and checked if they had their seat reclined and then told his wife nicely if they did, that why is it ok for your husband to recline and not me?

      Oh and did you put it up?

  • MCCS on 14/06/2017 - 12:51

    I will recline but definitely not during meal times. That's just rude!

  • kolorijo on 14/06/2017 - 13:06

    I will recline when the person in front reclined

  • FW190 on 14/06/2017 - 13:20
    +1

    Cathay Pacific tried non-reclining seats several years ago, and I have never flew with them ever since (even though I was loyal customer of 10+ years prior).

    And I guess enough people must've done the same, as apparently they have now reverted back to recliners.

    So, IMHO, the market had spoken, as obviously there wasn't enough recliner haters who would put their money where their mouth is (or that they are simply a small minority)

    But of course there should be some common courtesy/etiquette too, reclining your seat during meals/drinks time is a douche move, no arguments from me there.

  • DesiBoy on 14/06/2017 - 13:39
    +1

    Collect and Save points and upgrade to Premium economy or Business.

    • FW190 on 14/06/2017 - 18:15

      +1

      get yourself an American Express Platinum Edge, in 18 months I have already collected enough points for a business class ticket to HK, just by buying groceries at Coles/Woolies and filling up my car :)

  • PAPower on 14/06/2017 - 13:59

    KARMA, buddy. Karma…

    Statistics show a human being will pay a hefty amount of money reaching his/her 50s or losing his life or trauma or accident whatsoever.
    So would you rather pay it gradually from your 20s or pay a lump sum at 50?

    I will start paying now by not reclining my seat.

    • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 14:39
      +1

      Statistics show a human being will pay a hefty amount of money reaching his/her 50s

      For that reason, I take out insurance! haha

    • PlagueistheCheap on 15/06/2017 - 18:51

      Sweet so I can start reaping the rewards now and then grow into a typical selfish old person where my excuse for bad manners is old age, Win win.

  • railspider on 14/06/2017 - 14:12
    +5

    I know a guy called Tom who will not recline his seat during the flight (even overnight when most people recline to sleep), but the moment meals are served he will sharply and deliberately recline his seat in an effort to spill the drink of the person behind him.

    I’ve told him that it’s a dick move, but he says the airlines provide the reclining feature for a reason and he is going to use it. Not cool Tom!

    • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 14:41
      +2

      And we were born with fists for a reason…

    • jwb1981 on 14/06/2017 - 15:24

      I thought you were doing a rhyme for a second.

      • lozbargain on 16/06/2017 - 13:34
        -2

        I once knew a guy called Tom, who liked to tell jokes about your mom… One day the it went flat, and he said that was that and now he trolls OzBargain for fun.

  • ozbargainer888 on 14/06/2017 - 14:36
    +1

    I don't recline unless the person in front of me reclines and that's only because it's left me with no choice if I want any room.
    I really dislike when people recline, especially right after take off (my experience - 100% of those that recline immediately never put their seat back up even for meal times).
    I can fly entire 14 hour flights without ever reclining - it is not more comfortable, it's difficult to get up and it promotes snoring.

  • Destin on 14/06/2017 - 14:47

    I guarantee if the recline feature is removed, you'll lose another 2 inches of leg room to squeeze in some more seats.
    EDIT: Typo

  • alisso on 14/06/2017 - 15:09
    +4

    I don't think the question is as simple as recline/don't recline. The problem is often how much you recline, who you recline into, and whether or not you check in with your fellow sardines.

    At night, I don't have an issue with people going flat as they can (I don't usually bother cause I'm a side sleeper so trying to sleep leaning back in a chair feels wrong). During the day, especially on long flights, reclining partway is usually fine, as long as you check first. But I sat behind a businessman from Melbourne to Sydney once who decided he needed to go all the way back for this 1.5hr, afternoon flight, without warning. I couldn't see my own hands in my lap, just the top of his head. I can't imagine what would have happened if he'd been in front of someone flying with a baby, or a laptop, or who had a tall drink on their tray table.

    Planes are not designed to maximise the comfort of anyone who hasn't paid a frankly ludicrous mark-up, so those of us in sardine class have to make the best of it. Making other people suffer because none of you can afford an upgrade is rude as hell.

    • tranter on 14/06/2017 - 15:30

      Very good comments! I agree completely, it's not as simple as recline or don't recline. People just need to use their brain and show some common decency.

      On the last domestic flight I took with my wife and baby (we shared the nursing of the baby on our laps), not long after takeoff the guy in front of us fully reclined his seat without even considering what may be behind him. Even when he eventually realised there was a baby there, he left the seat as is for the rest of the flight.

    • lainey13 on 14/06/2017 - 16:44

      In that case the air con directed at his head and some choice sneezes/coughs would be in order.

  • neon crossing on 14/06/2017 - 15:09

    I fly all international long haul in business (airline points whore), so I don't really ever have any issues there.
    However I always fly bare bones budget in most domestic situations and my unwritten rule is if the flight is under 4 hours and you recline you're a douchebag, especially when people have tray tables down with laptops, food etc. You should always check with the person behind you anyway if it is ok. If you recline on me and the flight is under 4 hours or not an "overnight" flight you will a) wont be able to get the seat down as ill keep it pushed up. b) feel the wrath of my knees poking your back the whole flight.
    I often find the seat magically goes back up when I consistently jam my knees into their back, works a charm.
    The amount of people who recline on 90 minute flights or less is astounding.

    • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 15:37

      The amount of people who recline on 90 minute flights or less is astounding

      I'll admit - I sometimes do recline on short domestic flights but I always check that there's actually space behind me before I do.

      Most of the short flights I have are for work so it's either really early in the morning or late at night after a long day, followed by all this waiting around at the airport that makes my eyelids feel super heavy.

      If you already agree that passengers have the right to recline their seats, then what is the different between reclining on short and long flights? If they're not meant to be reclined on short flights, then they'd take that function off short flights.

      • neon crossing on 14/06/2017 - 20:37
        +3

        That is like saying, its not against the law to fart in public so you decide you get to do it in a crowded elevator. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

        I think all non business/first class seats on narrowbody aircraft shouldn't recline.

  • Seraphin7 on 14/06/2017 - 15:34
    +2

    I think the issue needs to be split based on length of flight.

    For a flight less than about 2 or 3 hours, there is simply no need to recline. It's not going to be an overnight flight, not going to be crossing several time zones, etc. If you want to sleep, sleep like you're on the bus, but there really is no need for the recline as most people are not going to be sleeping on such flights. Personally, if there was a mechanism to lock the seats upright, I'd support the airlines in preventing the seats from reclining on such flights.

    Longer flights that are overnight, crossing multiple time zones, etc. is a different kettle of fish. It's entirely reasonable to expect the majority of people will be looking to get some sleep and therefore will want to recline.

    • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 15:44

      sleep like you're on the bus

      You do realise that the seats on the bus are nowhere near as upright as the plane's un-reclined seat?

      As I said in my OP, the reason the seats are so upright in a plane is so that the passage is clear for emergency evacuation purposes.

  • hypie on 14/06/2017 - 16:32
    +1

    I thoroughly dislike people who recline and I personally will not decline unless the seat behind is empty or if i must because someone in front has reclined.

    The seats are too small these days and it is ridiculous that because I am tall, i have to pay $60 extra a flight to travel. I am often is physical pain because my knees hit the seat in front (or the magazine pouch).

    I keep my legs in the isle generally, but the flight attendants play bumper cars with the food trolley.

    I recently had a lady in front of me continue to try to recline backwards even though she kept hitting my knees. She kept doing it and i kept holding her back until i got sick of it and told her the reason her chair wouldn't go backwards is not because its broken, but because she keeps trying to squash me.

    If you want to recline, pay for business class.

    • bobbified on 14/06/2017 - 16:52

      If you want to recline, pay for business class

      I'm of the opinion that if you're of a size that can't fit within a seat and it's functions properly, then perhaps you should be the one paying for business class.

      This also includes the people who spillover and take half their neighbour's seat.

      • hypie on 14/06/2017 - 17:31
        +3

        So you think people should pay extra based on something they can not control. I.e. height.

        Please refer to the word discrimination.

        P.s. I am 6'4. Which i dont think is abmormally tall.

        The seat functions perfectly fine vertically princess.

      • tranter on 14/06/2017 - 21:34
        +2

        That's just silly bobbified. I'm about 5'11" and last year on a Jetstar flight the lady in front of me fully reclined her seat. Some time later she remarked in an unpleasant manner to me to stop kneeing her in the back. I didn't even know I was doing it but then realised my knees were touching the back of her seat.

        So according to you everybody about my height and above "of a size that can't fit within a seat and it's functions properly" should have to pay for business class just so inconsiderate people are entitled to fully recline their seat?

        I now think this whole post is trolling.

        • bobbified on 15/06/2017 - 00:26

          You already know how tall you are and know what you're buying when you pay for your ticket. If you're going to be that uncomfortable, then you should go for the bigger space in business class instead of trying to force the person in front of you to sit upright the whole time.

          Have you ever sat next to a huge person that also takes up half your seat? I'm sure he/she would like you to not be sitting in your seat at all so that they can spread out. Some airlines have forced these people to by two seats.

        • ozbargainer888 on 15/06/2017 - 14:03
          -2

          @bobbified: Yep this sounds like a troll to me too. This whole argument is pointless because it's the airlines that are the problem. Relying on decency of others doesn't work well unfortunately.

        • bobbified on 15/06/2017 - 14:27
          -1

          @ozbargainer888:
          How's it a troll post?

          Follow this particular chain of messages up and you'll see that I was responding to Hypie where he says "If you want to recline, pay for business class".

    • FW190 on 14/06/2017 - 17:52

      i have to pay $60 extra a flight to travel.

      I have never heard of a height tax for air travel, which airline do you usually go with?

      I am often is physical pain because my knees hit the seat in front

      maybe pay for an exit row seat, or book early and pick the front row seats?

      • hypie on 14/06/2017 - 22:38

        it's $60 for an exit row seat on Qantas domestic. Sadly my company won't cover this despite my complaints.

        No airline gives you exit row seats for free anymore, no matter how tall you are. Unless they aren't prebooked (which Perth-Sydney flights ALWAYS are)

        The seats are so small, I can't even open the tray table these days. I usually just carry my food/drinks.

  • Brouw3r on 14/06/2017 - 16:44

    It's fine - I usually just make it very obvious to the person I'm in front of and not push back as hard/fast as I can.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 14/06/2017 - 18:07
    +1

    on a 20 hour flight to the UK, I don't know how you would manage without being able to recline and relax.
    I never had an issue with people in front who recline, people have even done it at meal time and sometimes the flight attendants say they can't do anything because they are asleep. Even so, I don't complain and still try not to bump their seats (even though I'm 6ft).

    However, I always have issues if I recline my seat, even though I only do it when they dim the lights to people can sleep/rest. The people behind always start kicking and knocking my seat, banging my head and other stuff. One middle eastern family, on an Etihad flight, became so aggressive, they kicked mine and my 6 yo daughter's seat so hard that they forced it upright and were then threatening to punch me in front of my kids. The flight staff did nothing and I had to sit upright with them kicking my seat for the entire 12 hours.

    So 2 rules: never fly with Etihad again and always get seats with the bulkhead behind, not people. (This can be difficult when the airline constantly changes the plane/seats as Singapore airlines is currently doing for my next UK flight).

  • ExpressCoffee on 14/06/2017 - 18:42

    If i'm on a flight and it's bed time, i'm going to recline my seat. This nonsense shouldn't even be a thing. I have paid for my ticket the same as anyone else.

    i have a hard enough time trying to sleep on airplanes and sleeping without reclining my seat would be super uncomfortable for me.

    At meal time it's basically common courtesy to put your seat back up but any other time, unless the person behind me has politely requested that I don't recline my seat, i'll be reclining.

    • xoom on 15/06/2017 - 00:06
      +1

      At meal time it's basically common courtesy to put your seat back up

      exactly this. except it becomes their 'right' to recline their seat whenever they like. people wouldnt have to resort to buying knee defenders if people only observe this common courtesy not to recline their seats during meal times. and air stewards would not have to ask passengers to put their seats back up when meals are being served.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/06/2017 - 19:46

    You can recline 1 or maybe 2 inches, it's a lot more comfortable but doesn't interfere with the person behind.
    The problem is the people that fully recline all 6 inches, and they always seem to slam it back for some reason.

  • geoffellis on 14/06/2017 - 20:13

    I'm a decently tall guy, and my knees often reach or almost reach the back of a fully upright chair. However if I "manspread" i can usually accomodate a reclining chair.

    But on one flight. Might have even been before take off iirc - a woman literally slammed her seat into the fully reclined position in one swoop (ie put all her weight on it as she hit the release or whatever). And caused me an enormous amount of pain. I literally yelled out in pain and pushed back on the seat. She didn't say anything. Didn't turn around. Didn't apologize. Nothing.

    30 seconds later the piece of (profanity) shit (profanity) of a woman did the exact same thing again. I had the same obvious reaction. Yelling out in pain and pushing back on the seat. Then she turned around and said she had the right to recline her seat. No bitch. I don't have to spend the next 4 (profanity) hours in serious pain and discomfort so you can be moderately more comfortable.

  • Ken1977 on 14/06/2017 - 20:15

    Get a device called the Knee Defender, stop the person in front reclining their seat.

    • jaimex2 on 14/06/2017 - 22:27
      -1

      I have one and have been told off by staff a few times. Be prepared.

    • urzu on 14/06/2017 - 22:50

      That is so dirty it should be illegal. It is so blatantly selfish that I can't believe any morally respectable person would use such a device. Who are you to dictate what others can do on board? If you aren't happy with your knee room, perhaps consider flying premium economy or business.

      Knee defender? More like false-entitlement defender.

      • xoom on 15/06/2017 - 00:09

        so what your saying is. so long as your not the one being inconvenienced. its all good to do as you please.

        • urzu on 15/06/2017 - 07:58
          +1

          Quite the opposite, actually. I agree that everyone should be able to use the functions of their seat as they please, while letting others do the same.

  • TheBigBadCow on 14/06/2017 - 20:50
    +2

    I dare say… I'm inclined to find out ;)

  • jason101 on 14/06/2017 - 20:58

    Nothing worse then people who recline on a flight of 1-2 hours, its simply not necessary. It almost annoys me as much as the people who need to go to the toilet on 1-2 hour flights causing everyone in the row to have to get up twice. If you are a frequent pee-er and you know it get an aisle seat!

  • Peon on 14/06/2017 - 21:07

    Normally, I slouch in the seat :)
    On domestic, I don't think I've ever reclined my seat. On long haul flights, I might recline a little bit but only normally during lights out.
    For me, it's not the leg room that's limiting comfort, but width. Feel sorry for larger people who will undoubtedly find the narrow seats even more uncomfortable.

  • infinite on 14/06/2017 - 21:24

    I always pay an extra $30 for exit row seats because I'm tall. But when those tickets aren't available, it's a bit of a non-issue, as my legs are already long enough that no one in front of me can physically recline their chairs back anyway, even if they wanted too.

  • jaimex2 on 14/06/2017 - 22:26

    I pay it forward.

    Person in front of me reclines, I recline. They don't then neither do I.

  • d86 on 14/06/2017 - 22:28

    A person in front of me ALWAYS reclines his seat. A person next to me ALWAYS sneezes, sniffles and has a cough.

  • urzu on 14/06/2017 - 22:47
    +1

    I'm 6'4 and just accept that air travel in economy seats is going to be terrible. I try to get exit row if I can for the ability to cross my legs.

    While I am inconvenienced mildly by people reclining their seat, I don't expect any other passenger to make their own travel even more uncomfortable to please a stranger. I accept that I am tall and will buy a better seat if I want more comfort. I will however take advantage of all features I pay for, and that includes reclining my seat to my liking. I'll be entitled to what I pay for which is a seat on board the aircraft, not in business or first.

    I'll go insane if an obese person melts into my seat space though.

  • Herbse on 14/06/2017 - 23:13

    Just ask the person behind you

  • OzzyB on 14/06/2017 - 23:57
    +2

    I'll put in my $0.02 for recliners on short flights - ever considered a domestic transfer immediately after flying half way around the world? Someone might be tired, stiff and jet lagged (time shifted) such that the day flight really is their night time. Or consider the worker who has pulled an all-nighter and is going to another city for a presentation. They really need that power-nap to function.

    • hypie on 15/06/2017 - 09:16

      As far as I know there is no scientifically proven reason why a person can't power-nap in a non reclined position. By all means sleep, but if you have someone tall behind you, do it without reclining.

  • spb on 15/06/2017 - 00:01

    I try to avoid reclining but if it's a night flight then I think it's a given most people are going to recline to sleep. Even so I try to keep the reclining angle to a minimum.

    Unfortunately all bets are off if the person in front of me reclines all flight at maximum as I'm quite tall and it's incredibly uncomfortable without also reclining back.

  • viral on 15/06/2017 - 00:10
    +4

    I didn't know ozbargain had so many 6'3+ members. I'm only 5'8 :(

  • DarkOz on 15/06/2017 - 08:06
    +1

    Reclining seats are there for a reason and the reason is to make the user more comfortable. Unfortunately this same reason sometimes make the other user sitting immediately behind feel more uncomfortable.

    So be a little more considered when using a reclining seat is all it takes. Don't do it at meal time and simply notify the person behind that you are going to do it before doing it. It's not that hard.

  • khomeini on 15/06/2017 - 08:09
    +2

    I'm just glad I'm not the only one who calls it an aeroplane. Pleased to meet your acquaintance.

    • bobbified on 15/06/2017 - 09:12
      +2

      haha I actually had "airplane" to start with. But then I thought back to my school days and I'm certain I was taught "aeroplane"!

      Google says that "aeroplane" is the British word for "airplane". I don't know which one's more correct! haha

      • DarkOz on 15/06/2017 - 09:24
        +3

        It's the other way around. Airplane is American and Aeroplane is for everyone else. Or just use Plane informally.

  • donkeydoc on 15/06/2017 - 09:31

    Nothing worse than complainers! Reclining seats are fine, if you're over 180cm bad luck! Common courtesy not to play with your seat during meal time.

    • JimmyF on 16/06/2017 - 19:38

      says the short person

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