What exactly is seat reclining etiquette on long haul flights? I was on a long haul flight last weekend (on the way home from visiting my parents for Christmas), and just as meals and drinks had been handed out, the woman in front of me abruptly fully reclined her seat and decided to sleep, nearly spilling my meal and drinks into my lap in the process. I had to sit like a pretzel during the entire meal with her chair digging into my knees and my tray shoved right up next to my body about an inch below my boobs, awkwardly trying to cut up food without elbowing the person next to me in the face. It wasn’t late at night, maybe 7pm. She stayed that way for the remainder of the flight, even after she had been told to put her seat upright for landing 7 hours later.
Now, I realise that some discomfort is to be expected in steerage class on flights, and I understand someone wanting to recline a bit to sleep once food has been cleared away and cabin lights are down (though even then I try not to recline all the way as I know how uncomfortable it is for the person behind me). But casually shoving your seat all the way down right at meal time when space is obviously already tight just felt... well... rude.
AIBU to have been irked?