Who was unreasonable regarding plane seat ?

[planerider]

Inspired by another thread.

This happened a few years ago, but it annoyed me.

The flight was around 7 hours long. I had paid extra to have the exit seat in economy, as I was suffering from a bad back. I paid quite a lot extra for the seat, it's something I try to do, as I have back problems and it helps.

The woman behind me had quite a big child on her lap during the flight and was sat next to the child's father.

Because of this, I was unable to recline my seat for the entire flight. I tried very gently reclining it a little at some stage ( before I had seen the child ) but she was angry and swore, so I put it upright.

Who was unreasonable here ? Or do we generally think anyone reclining their seat is unreasonable ? I tend to recline my seat on very long flights, when the lights are dimmed for sleeping, as do most others on those flights. I don't recline on short hall.

I think the airline is probably unreasonable for allowing under 2s on laps for such a long flight.

Nonsense. Even if you make the parents pay for a seat an under 2 will frequently end up sat on parents lap and that shouldn't be forbidden!

I sometimes recline a little but not much. 7 hours is really not that long of a flight, but if you needed it for your back you should have stood your ground OP. Either way she shouldn't have sworn (audibly.)

Gosh, my experience is the reverse. I’ve been travelling long haul since 1981 and I’ve seen very few folk who don’t recline their seats in economy. Especially at night.

Because it is more comfortable.

and who doesn’t want to be more comfortable?

the seats are made to recline, and most folk use that facility. If the person behind doesn’t like it, why should they get to impose their will on you?

I like to recline my seat if possible. But I do let the person behind me know. I wouldn't do it during meals

I don't mind a single bit if the person in front reclines their seat and mine is upright. That's their choice. I can recline mine if is wish to 'regain' those lost few inches.

I disagree with the PP's saying it's rude. The tv screens are usually tiltable so you can adjust the angle. The tray extends so again just move it around. I fly regularly and never have a problem.

You can still use the tray table even when seat in front of you is reclined!

If you had been in front of me and reclined your seat you would have got a lot of huffing and puffing. I think you were unreasonable.

She WBU. You've paid for your seat and have the option to recline on a long haul flight. She should have bought a seat for her child if reclining was an issue for her therefore a risk she took not you.
If its short haul I don't tend to recline. If it's long haul I recline to sleep or overnight to get comfortable but always put seats back up for meals!

but would you blow their house down?

It sounds like you just needed to explain to the cabin crew and see if you could be moved.
I struggle to see how your seat was significantly more. 8 hours is a long flight but it's not that bad.
I also always get extra leg room and they do have their negatives. Other people might think they're super comfy but they give you leg room, that's it! You also end up with people queuing for the toilet in your legroom (annoying sometimes).
My last long haul (12 hours) the babies were in extra leg room seats as that's where the bassinets were..

I agree with others, if your back is that bad you probably shouldn't have been in an exit row in all honesty

God it's everyone for themselves on this thread, bad back, long legs, kids on laps. My rule is I never sleep in Economy so the seat back is always up for me. If you have very long legs then put your hand in your pocket and get an extra leg room seat rather than expect everyone else to pander to you.

If the seat reclines then its not for you to say it doesnt!

Of course it's not unreasonable to recline your seat. You've paid for a seat that reclines. If the airline felt this was unreasonable to other passengers they wouldn't provide reclining seats. You should have ignored the person behind.

Their comfort is not your concern, yet you expect them to consider your comfort and not use the seat they have paid for?!?

If you know a reclined seat in front of you will not give enough leg room, you don't fit in the space, and you therefor need to pay for a seat with extra leg room. If you decide not to that's your look out.

There are loads of things you can do but just plain rude I include reclining seats in this.
the more space you have the less the person behind has selfish

Personally I think seats recline too far, and people shouldn't be allowed

Some airlines don't allow anymore to buy a seat for under 2, they need to be on your lap. RYANAIR is an example.

There is no law that says you can’t recline your seat if an infant is behind you!

But you'd have to be a real arsehole to do so

Same. Used to be cabin crew for a long haul airline. 90% reclined on LH flights. As soon as the flight had taken off, passengers would be pressing that button.

Not if you are obese

I’m confused by the posts saying they wouldn’t mind seats reclining, but not all the way. In my experience you’d barely notice the difference if you only put the seat back half way. I understand it feels like it when you’re sitting cramped behind one, but it really doesn’t feel like it goes back much when you’re the one reclining. I’d like to know which airlines are offering this so I can book with them next time!

Stop living in the past!!what are you achieving?try to live in the now.
Forget about it,why keep bringing negativity into yourself by thinking about it?the more you hold into negativity,the heavier it weighs.let it go.
Count your blessings instead.🌈🌈💐

Why? You’ve paid for a seat, if someone who has a child wants the extra space they can recline themselves, get the child a seat or give the child to the partner.

I’ve travelled a lot with my baby and would never expect someone not to recline their seat on my behalf

All the people suggesting paying for upgrades have obviously never had someone fully recline in front of them in Virgin PE. Completely unable to use the foot rest.

Why? You’ve paid for a seat, if someone who has a child wants the extra space they can recline themselves, get the child a seat or give the child to the partner.

I’ve travelled a lot with my baby and would never expect someone not to recline their seat on my behalf

Ooooooh how very British of you. You’d really show them wouldn’t you!

The airlines are primarily responsible for this. They pack people into coach like sardines, in thoroughly cramped conditions, at the cost of basic passenger comfort and possibly also safety. And then they wonder why familiarity breeds contempt. Fat flyers, tall flyers, are all fair game, and so many people even on this thread are saying they'll do what the hell they're 'entitled' to and screw the impact on anyone else.

I never recline on short haul flights. On long haul I tend to restrict it to sleeping time, or have a quick exchange with the passenger behind if I want a kip on westbound flights - asking if they mind and to give me the nod if I've come too far back and have encroached on their comfort. I'd never dream of doing this during mealtimes or early in a flight when people tend to be working on laptops, etc.

So many people are lacking in basic manners these days. It would be easy to avert these situations before they escalate - but the increasing frequency of altercations on flights suggests a lot of people find it too much. And as for those who decide someone else's seat should automatically become theirs just because they've taken a fancy to it ...

Just sod off and don't impose your noise, bad manners and sense of entitlement on others. It's really not difficult.