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?

[Lcb123]

fine to recline apart from during meals. That’s what the seats are there for!

[litegreenleaf]

I hate it but I do understand long haul why people do it. I had a 30 minute flight to london from Paris once though. And the fuckers reclined the seat immediately after take off. Now that pissed me off so bad as I am very long legged and who can't just wait 30 mins.

[Lentil63]

I have never understood why this is not accepted:-
You purchase a seat, depending on which class you book it will have a pitch and an incline. That pitch and incline are yours, you bought them, enjoy!
YABU people can enjoy what they purchased.

[FarFromHome2]

I already make use of the short-term car park, fast-track security, the lounge, and speedy boarding, but I think that this thread has now convinced me to never again fly economy on a long-haul flight.

[user1496146479]

Totally okay to recline during long haul flights! I do it to try get ahead of jet lag etc.

[user1496146479]

@Mumoftwoinprimary

I have a theory about this. Seats on planes should be split into “recliner seats” and “non recliner seats”.

So rows 1 - 25 must stay upright except at night when lights are dimmed. Seats 26 - 50 can be reckoned at all times except during meals.

Everyone can choose seats according to their preference. (And airlines would soon be able to adjust the numbers of each type of seats to mean that it roughly works for the average group of people’s preference.)

And “front row reclining” seats would be extra good so the airline would be able to charge extra for them.

Everyone’s a winner!

God no!! It's hard enough get a preference on aisle or window seats, without having to worry about if the seat will recline or not!!

[Swimmingpoolsally]

I think it’s a bit Dickish to book knowing it’s a reclining seat and expect others to not recline for your comfort and to be too scared to recline as you’re worried about other dicks not liking it. Very odd.

[IHearIt]

@FarFromHome2

You need to try first then, it’s lovely.

You've just proved my point perfectly. Thank you.

[BadLad]

@ChildrenOfTheQuorn

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.

So your torso is against the back of your seat, but your knees are at knee height?

Do you spend the entire flight in the foetus position?

[BadLad]

@BadLad

So your torso is against the back of your seat, but your knees are at knee height?

Do you spend the entire flight in the foetus position?

Oops. I mean, your knees are at the same height as your chest?

[ReneBumsWombats]

@BadLad

Oops. I mean, your knees are at the same height as your chest?

Slenderman flies long haul. Who'd have thought it.

[FurAndFeathers]

@ChildrenOfTheQuorn

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.

interesting that folk on this thread are bragging about their unpleasant passive aggressive entitled behaviour towards other using seats as they are designed.
yet still don’t see that they are the problem!

[TigerRag]

@Lentil63

I have never understood why this is not accepted:-
You purchase a seat, depending on which class you book it will have a pitch and an incline. That pitch and incline are yours, you bought them, enjoy!
YABU people can enjoy what they purchased.

Surely this works both ways? I've been at the cinema where people have reclined their chairs. I need to stretch my legs but I can't if they've reclined their seats.

[oviraptor21]

I don't enjoy the pitch and incline though. They make my back hurt. I need to be sitting up straight just as most seats are designed. Those which recline (sofas/armchairs) have footrests to bring the legs up.

[oviraptor21]

I do actually find the foetus position more comfortable but I guess that's unrealistic!

[MarshaBradyo]

@oviraptor21

I don't enjoy the pitch and incline though. They make my back hurt. I need to be sitting up straight just as most seats are designed. Those which recline (sofas/armchairs) have footrests to bring the legs up.

That’s great you know what you like but the person in front likely feels differently and can recline

There's not much you can do other than pay for a seat where you don’t get a reclining seat in front

[oviraptor21]

Yep. Just a shame that people don't realise that it really is a problem for some people and can't accommodate them during the day even.
Unlike OP I do accept that it's going to happen on an overnight flight. I barely sleep at all as a result. But it does seem unfair during the day.

Incidentally I had a quick Google for reclining seats and the first thing that comes up is back pain if lumbar support is inadequate. It's not exactly uncommon.

[notimagain]

@Afterfire

Seats shouldn’t recline. They should already be at an angle that means people can relax and sleep if they want to. I would never recline and hate it when others do. Totally inconsiderate.

FWIW the current mandated seat upright and locked position is all about body position in an impact and helping with impact/shock protection.

Any angle backwards from that , e.g. seats being in a recline position, maybe even a fixed recline somebody else mentioned, reduces that protection..

That's why it is legal to put a passenger in a seat that will not recline and is stuck upright, but OTOH it's illegal to have a passenger in a seat that will not lock upright for take-off and landing.

HTH

[MarshaBradyo]

@oviraptor21

Yep. Just a shame that people don't realise that it really is a problem for some people and can't accommodate them during the day even.
Unlike OP I do accept that it's going to happen on an overnight flight. I barely sleep at all as a result. But it does seem unfair during the day.

Incidentally I had a quick Google for reclining seats and the first thing that comes up is back pain if lumbar support is inadequate. It's not exactly uncommon.

Tbh you can’t expect other people to consider it for you

The best you can do is take action and manage it in your own way and pay for a different seat

[ReneBumsWombats]

@oviraptor21

I don't enjoy the pitch and incline though. They make my back hurt. I need to be sitting up straight just as most seats are designed. Those which recline (sofas/armchairs) have footrests to bring the legs up.

So sit upright. Someone reclining a few inches three feet in front of you makes no difference. If your eyes were closed you'd have no idea. It doesn't impinge on any space that matters.

[Cruisebabe1]

@Dotjones

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.

Well said.

[Cruisebabe1]

@MistyRock

I hate people who recline. The only acceptable time is on a night flight. Its totally selfish behaviour.

👍 Exactly, if you need to lie down in a seat , upgrade your flight.

[notimagain]

I'm getting the impression a lot of posters have never flown "proper" longhaul, flying alongside/in front/behind people who are on totally different time zones and schedules.

A 8 or 9 hour one off holiday flight with everybody originating, say, in the UK or the same holiday destination can give a very incomplete picture.

[ReneBumsWombats]

@Cruisebabe1

👍 Exactly, if you need to lie down in a seat , upgrade your flight.

If you need to be in a space where the seating/reclining configuration is different, upgrade yours.

[Volhhg]

That's what the recline function is for. I would say it's especially reasonable to do it long haul so that you can sleep. You just have to have it up for take off, landing and meals. Thems the rules go and lobby the airline industry if you don't like it