Airlines, seats, passive aggression

[RebeccaWithTheGoodHair]

I was on a long haul flight over the weekend, 2 lots of 7 hour flights with a 3 hour stopover in the middle - it was never going to be a pleasant journey.

The first bit was OK but on the 2nd flight the people in the row in front sat down and immediately put their chairs back. Not just a little tilt either. They were practically in our laps. Our dropdown trays were hardly usable and the screen was difficult to see.

Of course they were perfectly entitled to do it and I could have done the same. Except I didn't because it's so bloody horrible for the person behind.

I don't get why airlines put these type of seats in, even using the tilt doesn't make them relaxing in any way. All it does it make it slightly less uncomfortable for the person in that seat - but 100 times worse for the hapless person behind.

My AIBU is whether giving it an extra hard shove when trying to use my tray or pick up my bag is U or not?

And if you are someone who does drop your seat back like that then don't you realise how horrible it is for the person behind you?

What I don't get is all the people saying "me/DH" have long legs and it's uncomfortable if someone reclines. As such I just butt my knees up to stop them.

If you don't fit it the seat it's not actually my - or anyone else's problem. That includes the seat being reclined.

Then what really pisses me off is that you accuse me of being rude - when the truth is that you are too bloody cheap to buy seats that fit you.

It hasn't occurred to you that all tall people might not be able to afford the better seats, Eatsshit?

For the record, DH and I do often pay for premium economy. It doesn't stop people reclining into our laps for 10 hours. It isn't that much more legroom!

Neither can obese people apparently...

Again - not actually my problem.

I don't have to subsidise anyone's weight or height frankly.

It's not like I get a bloody discount for being short and a size 10 is it???

On a 12 flight and the chap in front put his seat back as soon as he fastened his seat belt. Don't think he was comfortable though as i had to move around to keep ankles from swelling/get to bag/toilet Breaks etc so my knees did push into his seat now and then. Top of his head was almost in my lap for all large part of the journey it was not pleasant and my seat was against rear partition so did not recline very much. Some respite during meals as he put it half way up

What are these airlines that offer such generous reclines that peoples' heads are almost in the behind person's lap? I've only ever gone back a few inches at most in economy.

We have started saving up and travelling less to afford Business Class for the flat beds, but maybe I just need to go with this airline which is practically lie-flat in economy anyway!

There aren't any Shots it's just frothers exaggerating as usual to drum up more sympathy for a non problem.

Guzzle? shock

You do seem remarkably intolerant and sneery

Frother?

You also seem remarkably intolerant and sneery.

There are a limited number of extra space seats on a plane it is not always possible to get one, no matter how early you book.

I agree.
I never recline my seat until its night and those behind have already reclines and even then I feel guilty!

Frequent flyer here, both short and long haul.

YABU OP, and you are the party who was rude by deliberately pushing against the seat in front in your annoyance.

It is up to the airline to decide whether passengers should be able to recline, not you. It is nothing to do with good manners or otherwise. Airlines have designed their seats that way, and passengers are fully entitled to make use of their reclining seats whenever it is within the airline rules to do so. Whether you find it annoying or not is neither here nor there.

Were I the passenger in front of you in the situation described in your OP, I would have had a word with the steward to ask them to make the passenger behind refrain from thumping at my seat in pique.