Etiquette regarding reclining seats on planes

[EEVEElution]

Apologies if this has been done before, but I've been curious about people's opinions on this for a while and was reminded of it by another plane thread.

Is it people's right to recline the seats since they have paid the ticket? Should the recliner ask the person behind if it's ok to do so? And what if the person says no? Does the height of the person behind affect this (ie tall people with long legs) or the cheapness of the seats and therefore the leg room available?

Thanks in advance!

Been done to death on here. I have sciatica and I really appreciate being able to shift positions. If I'm in discomfort sometimes I'll put my seat back to ease the pain; if I was in front of someone who's tall then whose 'rights' trump the others? At least you could book the bulkhead if you're aware your height's a problem in this scenario; I'd pay extra if there was an option for a seat with extra lumbar support (yes I bring a pillow but it doesn't always cut it).

We were on a long haul night time flight from the Caribbean a few weeks ago and DBoyfriend was threatened by the passenger behind for reclining because it meant he couldn't see the screen any more. It was 23:00-00:00hrs by our body clocks, cabin lights had been dimmed for people to sleep, most of the passengers were trying to kip having reclined their seats. The passenger started shouting and called DBoyfriend a "stupid bastard", air hostess came over, and when she said, "well you recline your seat too and then you'll be able to see", he just went, "....but I don't want to!". Air hostess pretty much said "tough then", and told DBoyfriend to crack on.

But long haul/overnighters are not the problem. Then reclining is important and there is room for it.

It is because I have sciatica that I don't want to recline...

Craic I'm tallish for a women, or average height for a man. There are not enough seats for everyone 5'10" and over to sit at the bulkhead.

To be honest, although I do sympathise with your back problems, it does not mean its ok to press your seat hard into my my knees. Its not about 'rights', its about consideration for others, the polite thing to do would be to ask and if its not comfortable for the person behind you to ask the cabin staff for assistance.

There are far more antisocial and unpleasant behaviours on planes than someone reclining their seat, some people need to get a grip.

I only ever recline if the person in front of me reclines. the seat in front is too close to me face not to do anything else.

If a seat has a recline function, it is there to be used! Otherwise, what is the point?!

I will never understand why people think it is rude to recline!

i find it rude tbh well going all the way back half way isnt bad