Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Airplanes and reclining seats

336 replies

MrsCampbellBlack · 14/07/2011 11:29

So on flight with infant daughter on lap and woman in front keeps reclining her seat leaving us with very little space to even breathe. Not surprisingly DD gets a little ahem upset and screams loudly - god so loudly! Woman in front does lots of tutting.

Stewards asked her to put seat up but she reclines it as soon as they go away.

So am I mad to think she was being incredibly inconsiderate or is it just part and parcel of plane travel.

Other passengers utterly charming and Airplane staff agreed she was a nightmare but nothing they could do.

OP posts:
BupcakesandCunting · 14/07/2011 22:00

I did admit that I was probably wrong on the seats for under twos issue, but do feel free to continue shouting if you like.

CurrySpice · 14/07/2011 22:03

TheHumanCatapult

I appreciate that you have a particular requirement - I didn't mean to upset you or make you sad :( in fact I hadn't even read your post and know you fall into a category a bit different from a bad back

I was being a bit tongue in cheek about the ridiculous suggestion that tall people should pay more to fly so that people can recline their seat

lastonetoleaveturnoutthelights · 14/07/2011 22:06

Am I the only person who is actually more uncomfortable in a reclined seat than an upright one?

Aside from the fact I think it is very bad form to recline when you're flying on a short-haul budget airline, I find that when my seat is back I just can't get comfy - if I'm awake (reading or watching TV) I have to cran my neck forward or hold the book really high to be in my eyeline. And if I'm trying to sleep, the recline makes me slide down the seat so there is a gaping hole behind the arch of my back. I feel more ergonomically supported when the seat is upright and pushing against my back.

Perhaps it's just my back...

pumpkincarver · 14/07/2011 22:08

oops Humancatapult, I'm sorry!
Btw, missing one limb doesn't mean that you need any more assistance than any other wheelchair user, so why the silly policy? Have you checked with different airlines?

Oldraver, what exactly do you find shocking?

TheHumanCatapult · 14/07/2011 22:09

its ok curry I am a wee bit sensetive about it at the moment as ryan air refused to let me book a seat as apparently i need a carer Angry even pointed out am a single parent with 4dc and one with sn and dont nee dno carer at home so why on earth for a 2hr flight i need one .

but thats a whle another rant Angry

GwendolineMaryLacey · 14/07/2011 22:09

Flying bores me rigid so I try not to do it. When I do, I rarely bother reclining the seat, but by God I'm going to do it in future, as soon as the seatbelt signs go off.

TheHumanCatapult · 14/07/2011 22:11

pumpkin most of the budget airlines have the same rules about f/t wheelchair passengers on board having a carer at all times

pumpkincarver · 14/07/2011 22:13

Gwen you can recline your seat even if the seatbelt signs are on, as long as the aircraft has taken off.

HumanCatapult, you should get in touch with some conssumer's association to find out if airlines can refuse you travel on that basis, it seems ridiculous.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 14/07/2011 22:14

X posted with a load of posts which now make me look like a prick, which I'm not, honestly. I didn't realise the discussion had taken a serious turn Blush

CurrySpice · 14/07/2011 22:16

No, you can't pumpkin. While the plane is climbing or descending and the seatbelt sign is on (or when captain switches on seatbelt sign for anther reason) you have to put chair upright, open blinds, fasten seatbelts and put trays up

And imho you'd be a total arse for even trying it when seatbelt signs are on

heleninahandcart · 14/07/2011 22:17

politeness and civility are key really - to pretty much every area of life

Yes but YABU to expect it on a flight to Tenerife. Possible, but as you say you have to pay a lot extra for that.

pumpkincarver · 14/07/2011 22:17

HumanCatapult, may I ask; where do you needto fly to/from?

heleninahandcart · 14/07/2011 22:19

Oh and some airlines do allow you to buy seats for babies, some airlines allow you to fit car seats (only certain types), some airlines e.g. Ryanair don't. You can buy a Ryanair seat for a musical instrument though Hmm

YouWithTheFace · 14/07/2011 22:20

Perhaps Bupcakes can use The Oatmeal's brilliant new design for her planes? theoatmeal.com/comics/airplane_layout
There's a comfy chair there for everyone.

pumpkincarver · 14/07/2011 22:22

Curryspice, I can speak for the rules on BA. Once the plane has taken off (I mean completed the initial climb) seats can be reclined, tables open. Ditto when seatbelt signs are on during turbulence. Seatbelt signs may be on during the flightbut you can still use your table or keep the blind shut.
Btw blinds open for take off and landing are usually a budget airline policy. On BA you can do what you want with your blind during take off and landing.

TheHumanCatapult · 14/07/2011 22:23

yes sadly they can a very well known olympic athelete was refused boarding on a plane as wheelchair user and was travelling alone .

only assistance i need is to get from plane door to my seat and vice versa and my wheelchair brought up from the hold .

probably less help than the poor mum who is juggling two toddlers on their own .

But back to the seats i do think there needs to be comprimise both sides and politeness .I have found that if i explain why i need to recline the seat people do understand on the whole

ShavingGodfreysPrivates · 14/07/2011 22:24

Catapult - I'm assuming it would be in the event of an emergency landing/exit that they consider you would need a carer. They won't expect panicking passengers to help you - more likely to bloody injure you in the stampede - and I'm not sure whether cabin crew have a responsibility in those situations?

Odd that more expensive airlines don't have that requirement though.

Would you have any case under disability discrimination act?

MrsSchadenfreude · 14/07/2011 22:25

IME those who always recline and never ask are not frequent fliers - they are on their one flight of the year off on their holidays. They also take a handful of sweeties for take off and landing, eat everything on the tray and have tea AND coffee because they can. And have unfeasibly large hand luggage which they have to keep jumping up like a jack in the box to get something crucial out of throughout the flight.

I flew long haul overnight once and the man in front of me put his seat right back as soon as we took off, and refused to put it up for food. We were in the old style club class and his face was practically in my lap. Unfortunately for him, I choked on my dry roasted peanuts (see how long ago it was?) and sprayed his face with chewed nuts and tomato juice. Grin He finally sat upright when we hit turbulence and my glass of champagne went all over him. Grin

I used to fly a lot in Easter Europe/FSU, and once went on a flight with a well trussed sheep next to me and a crate of chickens in the row in front. The sheep had a working seatbelt. I didn't.

TheHumanCatapult · 14/07/2011 22:26

pumpkin this trip in Feb is to Berlin just me and ds2 who be 15 which is intresting to sort but will get there.

Buthave long haul booked to USa but they are happy to have me travel alone and booked me window seatso no one needs to climb over me

lastonetoleaveturnoutthelights · 14/07/2011 22:28

I think I must be. It's been bugging me for some time though. I just can't understand why I am so much more uncomfortable with the seat reclined. Maybe I have a funny back.

pumpkincarver · 14/07/2011 22:29

but we do offer that kind of assistance to wheelchair users, our groundstaff do that all the tme; in fact, to comply with new regulations, if your own wheelchair fits in the aisle you can demand that it is carried in the cabin instead of being placed in the hold. While it's in the cabin and stowed in a wardrobe, the airline is responsible for any damage caused to it.

I suppose the issue is that once up in the air you cannot receive help to go to/from the toilet?

pumpkincarver · 14/07/2011 22:31

if you fly BA I'll be happy to have a word with my colleagues to give you the red-carpet treatment. Let me know Smile

TheHumanCatapult · 14/07/2011 22:33

no shaving that is how they get around it .

MrsSchadenfreude that story made me Grin

this is easy ets rules

8Passengers with specific requirements are those whose mobility is reduced due to physical incapacity (sensory or locomotory), intellectual deficiency, age, illness or any other cause of disability. easyJet is unable to accept those passengers with a level of disability which requires the presence of a care assistant unless a care assistant is travelling with the passenger. A maximum of two disabled passengers can travel with one Care Assistant.

Am waiting to here back from them as have argued i do not need a care assisant as no need for getting to the toilet .( will use indwelling catherter for flight) al i need is my chair to be there .

shaving

if emergency happens i may as well bend down grab my ankles and kiss my arse good bye in that situation .Becuase lets be honest even in a emergecny and with a carer my chances be pretty low .unless can find someone todo a firemans carry Grin

TheHumanCatapult · 14/07/2011 22:36

pumpkin thank you Smile

i self cath but would use indwelling for the flight so no toilet breaks needed .

im a wee bit stubborn and will find a way to go .and yes i shall check beind me before lowering my seat Wink

pumpkincarver · 14/07/2011 22:41

if you have no success with sleazy jet please do get back to me and I'll help you : )