to think its rude to recline seat on long-haul flight

[needabreak5]

....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?

How do they even do it with their knees? How long are their legs? Wouldn't they have to be thrusting like a randy dog to get their knees pressed so hard against the seat that you can't recline it? Can't imagine that being much more comfortable than just sitting normally while you recline.

This is my point. To clarify the flight was east to west and day time for the duration at both the departure and destination. I also very much doubt the 'recliner family' were on a connecting flight. I understood from their conversation they had been staying in the city of departure for at least a few days before the flight. They were awake and watching films / playing games throughout, they didn't sleep at all. Same as most of this flight. Had it been a night flight, or most were asleep then we could have all reclined without feeling rude.

If you feel rude using your seat, that's your problem. It's fine to recline, you're expected to recline, everyone can recline, so if you want to, just do it. It's not for you to make assumptions about everyone else to decide who has the right to use their seat function.

There's plenty of space even with the seat in front reclined. You're a dick if you expect someone to get back and neck ache so you get an extra 3 inches in front of your face. I travel economy btw before someone thinks I'm talking about wonga class.

They recline for a reason. They should be upright for take off and landing, turbulence and meals; the staff assist with making
sure this is the case. The rest of the time, recline away!!

You can’t just unilaterally decide it’s rude to recline at other times yourself and expect that no one else should do it.

You don't pay for the space, you pay for the seat and the seat reclines.

I have a theory that all the anti recliners are the sort of people who don't like anyone else parking on the road outside their house either!

We were coming back from the carribean overnight a few years ago- cabin lights dimmed, everyone yawning and reclining their seats, settling down for the night. DH tried to recline his seat and couldn’t; everytime he pressed the button and tried to drop it back the guy behind just pushed it back up. So DH turned round and asked what the problem was and the guy said “I’m trying to watch a film!”. There was a bit of back and forth until a beleaguered air stewardess came over and asked what the problem was.
DH- “i want to recline my seat to sleep and he keeps pushing it back up!
Guy Behind- “I’m watching a film and can’t see the screen when he does it!”
Air Stewardess- “Sir, the screen tilts-“
Guy Behind- “I don’t want to tilt my screen!”
Air Stewardess- “Well then I can’t help you. [Turning to DH] Sir, recline your seat.”

Before that happened I had no idea people felt so strongly about seat reclining. I roll my eyes internally when someone does it at the start of a daytime flight, but it is what it is.

This

It doesn’t bother me in the slightest when people recline their seats, so it genuinely never occurred to me that people would think it rude until it became a frequent complaint on MN.

I will still continue to recline my seat, even on daytime flights, and especially if it lasts 9 hours! I’d rather sleep a through a flight at any time of day.

No one on a long haul flight needs a good reason to recline their seat. They can do it because they find it more comfortable. That's good enough. Just recline your own seat.

Or sit there and suffer in silence for 9+ hours and complain later about others refusing to follow your rules. Whatever works for you.

Well I've been in the last row on a long haul flight and actually, despite having paid the same as everyone else, the rear seats don't recline, so literally, you have no choice but to let some idiot recline into your lap. It's really selfish.

You should have just started a reclining Mexican wave

This is when you stand up and 'accidentally' spill your drink on them. Going 'oops, not much room though with the seats reclined, sorry' and wander off to the bathroom. Their problem.

Have you done this?

I agree. Seats don’t recline enough to be a problem, and they’re really uncomfortable when fully upright. No way could I do a 9 hour flight without reclining the seat.

I'm calling BS on this. The seat backs aren't so low that you could "accidentally" spill a drink on the person sat in front of you.

And when you return from this devastating act of revenge that you totally really did because you're such a badass on Mumsnet, they spill their drink on you and say, "Oops, the upright seat knocked my elbow, if only it had been tipped back a bit, sorry."

They should have a section for all those bruisey drink spillers, knee knockers and sleep psychics

And the rest of us can just recline peacefully leaving each other alone

YABVU

Who are you to dictate when people can recline their seats?!

If you weren't allowed to recline them, then the airline would tell people to keep them upright until the lights go off.

Many people like to recline and sleep or relax on a flight even during the day. If you don't like it then you should book business class and pay the appropriate fare!

I think YANBU but looks like I'm in the minority here

You are the one with a problem.

All short haul right?! Or long haul but decades ago? Long haul biz or first class generally have flat beds these days so not how you’ve concluded theres limited recline unless you only go short haul!

Long haul people are bound to be sleeping even daytime. But I was rather sharp with the person in front of me who declined the meal and then reclined asking was served. Very much "oy, wait until people have eaten will you".

I recline the seat. It's what they are for. Ffs

I am 4' 11 and 3/4, so I have never and will never recline my seat on a plane and travel very easily because of this.

On an Air Canada flight over 20 years ago, I was lucky enough to have 1.5 foot of leg room in front of me, on the domestic flight to Calgary AB and I have tonnes of sympathy for people with less leg room.

OP, YANBU, I thnk the gamily on front prbably expected others to recline but should have asked first.