AIBU?
to think its rude to recline seat on long-haul flight
needabreak5 · 08/09/2022 14:44
....for the entire flight (except during meals), unless its a night flight and everyone is reclined? I had a 9 hour (day-time) flight yesterday and the family in front of us were fully reclined for the majority of the flight. Most others (including those behind us) remained upright so we also remained upright for the entire flight with less room due to the seats in front being reclined. DS (3) was asleep across our laps which didn't help with space, but i did feel it was 'unfair' that they were able to recline, whilst I felt it would have been rude for us to do the same to those behind - 3 tallish men. AIBU?
Am I being unreasonable?
AIBUYou have one vote. All votes are anonymous.
WillPowerLite · 08/09/2022 14:47
Turn around and say, I'm going to.recline my seat now as those in front have done so.
It's entirely fine to recline on a longhaul flight.
midsomermurderess · 08/09/2022 14:48
If seats can be reckoned, people will recline them. I don't like it because I'm 5'11 and you feel trapped, you can barely change your position and getting in and out of your seat is very difficult. But that's how it is. Economy long haul, short haul, the whole business is utterly grisly. I guess you have to decide if it's worth it.
billysmallnuts · 08/09/2022 14:50
I think it's fine on a long haul flight, as long as they don't do it during meals.
FarFromHome2 · 08/09/2022 14:51
That’s what the mechanism is for. If it makes you uncomfortable then the only real answer is to lay for the seats with more leg room or to move up a class.
SomeUnspokenThing · 08/09/2022 14:53
Provided that it's not during meals, it's fine. You chose not to recline but you could have if you wanted to.
StinkyWizzleteets · 08/09/2022 14:54
Lean over the seat in front and threaten spit bombs that you sook back up at the last minute....
AryaStarkWolf · 08/09/2022 14:54
SomeUnspokenThing · 08/09/2022 14:53
Provided that it's not during meals, it's fine. You chose not to recline but you could have if you wanted to.
Exactly. Once you reclined the people behind you would have reclined too if it bothered them
Sparklingbrook · 08/09/2022 14:55
<puts kettle on> I have not seen one of these threads for a while. 
I think communication is key here. Talk to the people behind.
PileofLogs · 08/09/2022 14:55
I'd only recline at night. It's allowed obviously but it's definitely a dick move the rest of the time.
needabreak5 · 08/09/2022 14:55
thanks, I guess we should have just reclined too, but no one else seemed to be doing so, except these people in front. The airline staff asked them several times when food and drinks were being served too, but they quickly reclined again, before the food trays were cleared (tbh the food trays took a long time to be cleared both meals and i wouldn't have considered reclining even at night until the person behind me table was clear)
MarieIVanArkleStinks · 08/09/2022 14:56
Some planes on short haul routes don't recline at all. On a long haul, I'd say it was okay once the meal has been served and cleared away. I don't like it when the seat goes back instantly after take off when the seatbelt sign goes off, but it's an occupational hazard of flying on today's cramped long haul flights. I choose not to prioritize business class fees, preferring to spend my money elsewhere. In that case, I guess I have to suck up the risibly awful conditions the airlines have imposed on coach to reduce their costs. They really do treat these customers with complete contempt.
Scianel · 08/09/2022 14:57
I was going to say YABU if it was a night flight, when everyone tends to, but during the day if it's mixed on the plane it's a bit less clear-cut. People are entitled to though I guess.
LemonMuffins · 08/09/2022 14:59
I've never understood the angst on here about reclining seats and I've never experienced it in real life.
I'm on a flight. I'm tired. My seat reclines. I'm reclining. I don't need permission, so as long as food has been served I'll recline if I need to. I've even done it - gasp - on short haul flights, if that short haul flight has come immediately after a long haul and I'm practically dead.
BasiliskStare · 08/09/2022 14:59
I don't like people reclining on long haul flights in front of me - but it's allowed ( I do think during meals they should straighten up ) My worst long haul flight was a recliner in front of me ( I stayed upright because a family was behind me thought gave them more room & I am short so leg room not quite so much of a problem as for other ) & young child behind me thought it was very funny to keep kicking the back of my seat. I am sure parents were exhausted but as I had kept my seat upright & I did ask them to try and make him stop I would have appreciated a bit more help from them for him not kicking my seat.
BUT my seat was cheap & it is over now so just commenting because this reminded me - I don't lose sleep over it now (unlike the flight 😊)
mmmflakycrust81 · 08/09/2022 15:01
For long haul i think its ok for most of the time but you absolutely need to sit up during meals.
GrumpyPanda · 08/09/2022 15:01
YABVVU. Totally normal to recline and much better for anyone with back pain or similar issues. It's next to impossible to actually sit upright in these seats - they tend to force you into a slouch - and reclining takes that crucial extra pressure off the spine. Anyway, its just a couple of centimeters at best!
ReneBumsWombats · 08/09/2022 15:02
It's fine to use a reclining seat for its intended purpose. You've got one too.
DillonPanthersTexas · 08/09/2022 15:04
I think you should at least wait until the inflight meal is over before recling.
Dotjones · 08/09/2022 15:05
You have to be a dick to recline your chair on a plane. There really is no excuse.
To be fair it's the fault of those who design the seating arrangements on planes. Reclining should be done by moving your own seat forward so that you're the one who loses space, not the innocent person sitting behind you.
I guess it's a hangover from the 50s when maybe people had a degree of respect for their fellow passengers, clearly that's not the case now.
GoAround · 08/09/2022 15:06
Totally reasonable to recline a seat during a flight as long as they go up for meal service, who wants to sit upright for 9 hours. Recline yours too and you’ve got the space back so it shouldn’t be an issue.
ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 08/09/2022 15:06
I sit with my knees leaning against the seat in front (chest height) and when they try to recline I push back. They usually think there's a problem with the reclining function and give it up.
Yes, I'm awkward.
needabreak5 · 08/09/2022 15:09
Dotjones · 08/09/2022 15:05
You have to be a dick to recline your chair on a plane. There really is no excuse.
To be fair it's the fault of those who design the seating arrangements on planes. Reclining should be done by moving your own seat forward so that you're the one who loses space, not the innocent person sitting behind you.
I guess it's a hangover from the 50s when maybe people had a degree of respect for their fellow passengers, clearly that's not the case now.
this is what i think too, I've seen this seat design before, and would solve all the issues!
CMOTDibbler · 08/09/2022 15:10
Long haul, apart from meals, it's fine to recline and I always do. I need to sleep in order to be working the next day or on arrival in some cases. Ii do always try and book a seat against a cabin partition or at the back so I don't inconvenience others, especially on night flights when I want to sleep from take off to landing.
Glitterbaby17 · 08/09/2022 15:12
It’s totally fine to recline your seat except during meal services - it’s what they are designed to do. Much less painful for your back if you are doing a long flight. Also - whilst it may have been a daytime flight for you the other passengers may have come from a connecting flight and it feel like nighttime etc.
MistyRock · 08/09/2022 15:13
I hate people who recline. The only acceptable time is on a night flight. Its totally selfish behaviour.
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