Clicky Poll - Is it rude to recline your seat on an airplane?

MrsAJL · December 2011

So I had no idea this was an issue until I started hanging out on The Nest. There seems to be a growing sentiment among some that reclining your seat in economy on a flight, regardless of the duration, is rude.

What do you think?

[Poll]

mcurban · December 2011

I don't recline. When riding economy, if the person in front of you reclines, it makes it very difficult to get out of your seat, let alone reach something that is down on the floor. I'm not a fan.

L L CG · December 2011

I think not and I voted accordingly. However, DH (who towers at 6'3") thinks its horribly rude and I think gets embarrassed when I do it when seated next to him. I CANNOT fly without reclining my chair. The odd ergonomics of the airplane seats (where the headpiece makes your head bend down) kill my back.

You gotta fight for your right to recline.

brooke152 · December 2011

On a flight from Atlanta to Zurich the woman in front of me reclined her seat for the entire flight. Even through the meal. I finally asked her to lean up while we were eating and she did, for about 2 minutes. It was 3 years ago and I am still cursing her.

s-a-r-a-h · December 2011

mcurban:
I don't recline. When riding economy, if the person in front of you reclines, it makes it very difficult to get out of your seat, let alone reach something that is down on the floor. I'm not a fan.

Totally agree. I get sooo annoyed when the person in front of me reclines, especially on a super short flight. It makes it very difficult to use the seat tray.

balihaigirl · December 2011

I don't recline unless the person in front of me reclines. If they recline, I ALWAYS recline because otherwise it's just way too cramped.

august8080 · December 2011

I am 6 feet tall and so economy seats are already really uncomfortable and the seat in front of me is often digging into my knees even when fully upright. I HATE it when the person in front of me reclines, but I understand why they'd want to. Because of this, I only recline if the seat behind me is empty or there's a child sitting in it (who obvi has enough room).

mlf625 · December 2011

I think it depends on who is sitting behind you. If it's a mom and a lap child, or a tall person, etc., then I think it's rude. If it's a kid, I don't worry about it and recline if I want to.

Noisemaker · December 2011

If there is someone behind me I will only recline my seat in 2 instances--an overnight or red eye flight where the majority of the plane is sleeping, or if I have a lap kid and the person in front of me reclines into us. Otherwise I feel guilty, so I guess that means I think it's rude.

FireChiefsBride · December 2011

Ditto LLCG- I have back issues as well and it kills my back not to recline.

What it boils down to is that it's sh!tty for the airlines to continue packing more seats in to the point where there is not room for a normal person to sit in their seat.

JayandJack · December 2011

I recline but I'm 6ft tall so flying is really uncomfortable. I never have enough room and my back kills me at the upright position. If it's not bothering me then I don't but I'd say 99% of the time I do.

FWIW, I do pay $20 for an exit row when I have to fly longer flights just for the extra leg room. When I do that then I usually don't need to recline.

joyco · December 2011

L L CG:
You gotta fight for your right to recline.

My husband would cutabitch if he wasn't allowed to recline. He waits til the second when they say you can recline your seat, reclines and falls asleep. He flies a lot and he doesn't particularly like it, so yes, he's going to recline if it makes him more comfortable.

I always seem to forget to recline, but then I don't usually fall asleep on planes, I'm always reading.

ETA: and ditto FCB's statement about planes packing more people in like sardines so it's impossible to be comfy.

And seriously, I wouldn't think anything of it if the person in front of me reclined. The seats recline, you're allowed to recline, it's their right. I'm not going to be up in arms about that. And if you know me, you know that I do quite enjoy being up in arms about something, so that says something right there.

Also, what airlines are you flying where the tray table becomes useless if the person in front of you is reclined? I've never had that issue. Never.

KristinD3 · December 2011

I don't usually recline my seat, but it doesn't bother me if the person if front of me does. I'm only 5'5" though. DH who is 6'2", always has to recline his seat.

agran · December 2011

joyco:

And seriously, I wouldn't think anything of it if the person in front of me reclined. The seats recline, you're allowed to recline, it's their right. I'm not going to be up in arms about that. And if you know me, you know that I do quite enjoy being up in arms about something, so that says something right there.

This is why you entertain me so.

I always recline but I'm tall too... I do feel a tad bit guilty about the person behind me though. And I was pissed when I was on an overnight to Germany and the 5 year old in his own seat in front of me reclined the whole time-- didn't even put his seat up after we landed. Getting out of your seat with someone reclined in front of you is tough, tough!!

joyco · December 2011

agran:
joyco:

And seriously, I wouldn't think anything of it if the person in front of me reclined. The seats recline, you're allowed to recline, it's their right. I'm not going to be up in arms about that. And if you know me, you know that I do quite enjoy being up in arms about something, so that says something right there.

This is why you entertain me so.

I always recline but I'm tall too... I do feel a tad bit guilty about the person behind me though. And I was pissed when I was on an overnight to Germany and the 5 year old in his own seat in front of me reclined the whole time-- didn't even put his seat up after we landed. Getting out of your seat with someone reclined in front of you is tough, tough!!

Ah excellent. Well, I'll keep being my pissed-off self if it is entertaining to others.

AustinBride06 · December 2011

IMO reclining your seat is a privilege, not a right. If there's someone behind you that needs the room or if you have no reason to be reclining the seat (you're eating a meal and leaning forward), then it's rude. Or kids just doing it because they like touching all the buttons they can reach. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Only recline what is necessary and do it slowly as to not bump the tray table that may be down or someone's knees.

HSartteach · December 2011

I try to see who is behind me first to see if I can recline and not bother them. They paid to be on the flight too--so, imo, they have just as much of a right to try and be comfy as I do. As a tall woman who is mostly leg...it's really hard when you have a seat back rammed into your knees the whole time.

I can't always get the row with extra leg room.

I flew from Dallas to Paris and the seat in front of me was reclined the whole time. The man only spoke French, so I tried to do everything I could to show him I was super tall and that his reclining seat really was hurting me. It was the worst flight ever for me.

angelaggie · December 2011

I usually don't mind if the person in front of me reclines. I'm barely 5'3" so it's not like I need the leg room. I like to recline but usually don't depending on who is behind me. DH gets to fly first class for work a lot and he will always recline in coach. He whines too much if he doesn't. He's only about 5'7" so I don't get it

MrsMillerTime · December 2011

For me, it depends on the flight. If I'm flying during the day, I generally don't recline at all. If I'm catching an early morning/late evening/long (4+ hours) flight where sleeping is more common (esp. those flights where they usually leave the cabin lights off, etc.) then I'm more apt to recline. That being said, if the person behind me is clearly a bigger/taller person that needs the space then I won't do it at all.

Abrooks · December 2011

It's not rude. Plane seats are made to recline. Sorry about the tall people and yes, I know that must suck. But, if the chair can recline, then the person has a right to recline it. There are many things I hate more about traveling than a reclining seat. Like the person that stole my pillow and blanket when I went to the bathroom on my flight to Brussels. Or the time my seat was right by the toilet on the way to Jo'burg and all I hear the whole flight was the swish, swish of people flushing. The time the airline "forgot" to load the entire planes luggage on Christmas Eve and I had no luggage for 2 weeks. The time the lady dropped a box on my head and cut my head open. Those for me were all worse than reclining seats. And yes, I'm short so I'm sure I don't understand the squished legs as much as the tall person but plenty of things in life suck for shorties so it all evens out.

KittyFX · December 2011

I expect people to recline. I don't recline normally because I'm just comfortable that way and I hate having to bring my seat up later so I usually don't do it. I just assume most everyone will recline though and that it wouldn't be considered rude by the person behind them.

thethomps · December 2011

KittyFX:
I expect people to recline. I don't recline normally because I'm just comfortable that way and I hate having to bring my seat up later so I usually don't do it. I just assume most everyone will recline though and that it wouldn't be considered rude by the person behind them.

Me too. And I have to recline at least a little bit or it kills my back. I hate when people throw their seat all the way back, especially when I have my tray down but, hey, it's an airplane and we're most likely never going to see each other again. And on international flights? Heck yes - I assume everyone is going to recline. It's not comfortable for 11+ hours anyway, why make it worse?

fjaril · December 2011

thethomps:
KittyFX:
I expect people to recline. I don't recline normally because I'm just comfortable that way and I hate having to bring my seat up later so I usually don't do it. I just assume most everyone will recline though and that it wouldn't be considered rude by the person behind them.
Me too. And I have to recline at least a little bit or it kills my back. I hate when people throw their seat all the way back, especially when I have my tray down but, hey, it's an airplane and we're most likely never going to see each other again. And on international flights? Heck yes - I assume everyone is going to recline. It's not comfortable for 11+ hours anyway, why make it worse?

we rarely travel international in economy, but when we did, only time we recline is after meal service and people are sleeping. Even then, I usually just curled up on O b/c I hate trying to get out of the aisle when the seats are reclined. I'm short so I can stand on the seats and climb out that way.

now, I never recline, who reclines while entertaining a 3 yo? If you recline on me, whatever, I'll try my best not to knock into your chair, but dude, I have to pick up toys and get into my bag etc so recline at your own risk.

I don't understand the need (unless is a medical reason) to need to recline on a 3 hour flight. It's just annoying, but whatever.

PMBridetobe · December 2011

joyco:
L L CG:

You gotta fight for your right to recline.

Also, what airlines are you flying where the tray table becomes useless if the person in front of you is reclined? I've never had that issue. Never.

I just flew A A and my tray plate was unuseable when the guy reclined in front of me. My knees were touching his seat and it sucked but he had that right.

kirknsarah · December 2011

I've done a couple posts about this on my blog, and they are the most commented on/visited posts I have besides contests. There is no consensus--it's very divided. I'm of the camp that believes it's okay most of the time, as long as you don't slam your seat back. Although often when the seat slams back it's because something is wrong with it, not because of anything I did. But I digress. I definitely think you should put your seat up during food service, and if you're not actually using it.

Taytee · December 2011

Just because I can do something, doesn't mean I do. I am in no particular discomfort sitting upright and I can't sleep on planes anyway. So I do not recline. I like to think the person behind me is thanking me and is grateful

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