To recline my seat in the airplane tonight ?

[Redeyeflight]

We are flying from Boston and Dh told me I’m not allowed to recline my seat on our night flight ? We are on economy and flying with BA. I don’t fly often so not sure about the etiquette. I mean if it was a day flight I wouldn’t recline but a night one ? Everyone would want to ?

Reclining on a day flight is IMO like farting in a lift - perfectly legal but also uncomfortable for others and selfish.

I hate it when others do it at night as well, but it's more socially acceptable.

Whilst I don't kick the chair in front if they recline (day,) if they make moves to do it, I ensure my legs are placed in a way that makes it very difficult for them to actually do it.

I wish they made them all at a very short angle and immovable.

I also don't recline if others recline unless there's an empty seat behind me, a very small child, or (if it's at night) occasionally I I will if the person behind had already reclined. I won't be responsible for passing it on.

Reclining your own seat doesn't shorten your legs. For tall people, the reclined seat usually presses against them. If you feel knees in your back - that is because their legs have nowhere to go. Reclining your own seat doesn't really change the space your legs have. Planes now are just ridiculously tight. There isn't adequate space for anyone to really be comfortable.

I was recently on a long haul over night and I would say about half reclined their seats once the plane was dark after the meal. However many didn't recline the whole way - just a couple clicks back to get out of the upright position but not in the fully reclined position. I didn't see many seats fully reclined (I walked around a lot).

Last time I flew long haul it was premium economy so there was room to recline without impacting the person behind too much. Except for the guy in front of me who reclined at such force that it split my drink and water all over me. Great feeling to be soaked for hours.

It was either a dodgy seat or him being an ignorant , going by his reaction when I told him to be more considerate I am guessing it was option 2

Feel for the person in the back row who can’t usually recline due to their being some sort of wall (for all those who say well you can recline too). As a pp said it’s like dominoes, except for those in the back row. Are those seats cheaper I wonder

Why is DH in charge of explaining the flight etiquette, then?

I find people who fly that often to be inconsiderate. The planet is burning - no one should be flying that much.

Hijacking this thread but there seem to be some long haul experts on here. Does anyone know if BA night flights have arm rests that go up? Our day flight plane did not which was not ideal but ok but night flights with kids I prefer the rests to go up to sleep better.

Just ask the person behind if they’re ok with it if you’re worried. I flew behind an incredibly tall man recently who was more comfortable reclining. He politely asked if I would mind and I’m a short arse anyway so it doesn’t really bother me if people recline. However I still would have been annoyed if he hadn’t asked. It’s just showing no consideration at all!

I think the unwritten rule is to not recline in the day but it’s acceptable at night

I could never recline my seat on a day flight, in fact I've never seen anyone do that. Why would you not care about the comfort of the person behind? 😳

It is 'allowed' to recline in the day...but it is selfish and uncouth.

It is also 'allowed' to cut your toenails on the tube, or to eat smelly food, or to have loud phone conversations on speaker, but most civilised people can see that these behaviours are selfish and uncouth.

Of course you can recline your seat if you feel you need to, to doze.

Just bring it to upright during meal service, and don't recline it until the people behind you have had their trays taken.

On one flight I was on recently - the person in front of me was fully reclined and in order for me to get up to use the bathroom / stretch, I had to pull on their seat back to get leverage to move. I am sure they didn't really enjoy that as I get up a lot due to heath issues but that is the price you pay for your seat being on my lap when I need to get out.

People who recline their seats on day flights are really common.

It’s polite to put the seat upright during meals otherwise do whatever you feel comfortable with.

Uncouth?
hilarious!!!

Of course you can recline it if it reclines! That’s what it’s there for. And who is your DH to tell you what you are “allowed” to do?

Reclining during the day is a bit annoying unless you speak to the person behind and check they are ok with it. Or if you need to because the person in front is reclining - having just explained to the person behind first.

What they need to do is introduce seats that recline by shifting the back rest in the pitch, though, so that you reduce your own leg space rather than that of the person behind when reclining. Then it would be a non issue.

What’s really important is that the rules are the same for everyone though - none of this “I’m tall so I need special treatment”’lark

I would make an assessment of the situation personally. My dh and ds are both over 6 foot 6 and it literally hurts them when people recline their seats

It's fine to say "just recline your seat if you're bothered" but I can't. I have a physical disability and I don't know what it is about the way plane seats recline but it causes me terrible pain in my hips and back. I have to stay upright the whole time.

I saw a comment upthread saying to book seats at the front of the plane if it matters so much but I have other reasons (related to disability) for requiring to sit elsewhere on the plane.

Finally, flying in a more expensive cabin is sadly out of my budget so I'm stuck with it. I have never asked anyone to put their seat back up or made my discomfort known but I do fantasise about firing the person from an ejector seat, like in a cartoon

I know my comfort doesn't trump anyone else's but I wish there was a compromise on how far back people could recline. Some go back really far, so it feels like the screen is six inches away from my nose. Plus the screen doesn't always tilt enough to compensate for the reclined angle of the headrest, so I can't even distract myself with a film...

I agree that people should ask

Yes, well, your response indicates the category you fall into here, doesn't it?

This is why I love airline seats like the premium economy on Japan Airlines, where the reclining mechanism affects your own space and not that of the person behind you. You can adjust the settings to suit your own comfort, without worrying about anyone else.
JAL International Flights Premium Economy Class - (JAL SKY PREMIUM) Seat

I get your point. But if the recliner has made me uncomfortable, then I'm going to do my best to make them uncomfortable. It's only fair.

For tall people, with long legs, you get crushed in an already-small space. It might be petty, but I don't like being crushed. Reclining my seat as well doesn't give me more leg room. The space/leg room in the seats is already too small.

I'll also say, reclining with some airlines is worse than others. Sometimes I end up crushed, and sometimes I don't. If you make me uncomfortable, I'll make you uncomfortable.

Serious question, but do you not think asking is a bit entitled (of you) and awkward for the person you are asking? You must realise that reclining in a short day flight is most likely going to cause discomfort to the person behind you, so you are essentially asking them if they would mind suffering a bit for your own convenience, no?

Do u mention it to the person behind you first? I wouldn’t be happy if someone declined their seat without checking if I had room to sit comfortably behind them.

They have paid for a seat, they are allowed to recline it outside of mealtimes.

When you pay for their seat then you can ask to be consulted.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. But sure, feel free to dish out your version of karma.