Reclining seat on a plane

[darksideofthemooncup]

I don't think I was being unreasonable but wanted to get others' take on it. BA economy flight, middle seat, man in front of me reclined his seat then had a go at me because he could feel my knees through the back of his seat. I explained that a 5,10'', short of amputation there wasn't a lot I could do about it and perhaps the problem was more about him reclining his seat onto my knees. At which point he then doubled down and said I should book first class. I'm afraid I didn't cover myself in glory and told him in no uncertain terms where to go. So, my position is that on economy flights where space is limited, just because you can recline your seat, it doesn't mean you should, AIBU?

Totally agree. On short haul flights I think that's perfectly reasonable and in fact I would prefer it. This would certainly prevent a lot of arguments.😄

Eh?

Do you expect op to amputate their legs?

This is why I choose to fly easyjet. Their seats don't recline.

It's just so rude to recline on a short flight during the day. This guy sounds like an arsehole.

I once had someone recline their seat while I was eating. The plane was half empty so I moved to in front of him and reclined my seat to see how he liked it. It proved to me how entitled these people are when he went ballistic, saying he was allowed to recline but I wasn't.

That’s nice of you. It’s not for you to decide that there is no need to recline

Book an aisle seat maybe to stretch legs on the quiet bit of the flight (i.e. no trolley or meal service). Easier to get to the loo also.

People are allowed to recline their dests on any flight, outside of takeoff, landing, and meals. This does not interfere with your knees because the seat back only reclines well above the flat of the seat; if your knees are jammed into the back of the sest in front it means you need to move your feet forward instead of keeping the directly under your knees. My husband is well over 6' and has never had a problem fitting his knees in even on tiny planes. Just move your feet forward so your legs are not bent at right angles.

I fly a lot, but last week took the ferry to Cherbourg, and OMG it was a revelation. So relaxed, great sleep in a nice cabin with window and no worries about bag weights or liquids etc. Pity it takes 17 hours (was going from Dublin), but it was like a mini cruise. So much space to wander, eat, drink, walk the decks, nose around the shop etc. Will do it again!

He could have reclined his seat less. You were unreasonable if you crossed and uncrossed your legs every 5 minutes.

I hate people reclining their seat on me , so much less room to read , move , get to your bag under the seat . I think adults should be able to manage a flight without reclining and I wish it was banned

YANBU I think it’s the height of selfishness when people recline their seat fully during a flight. There is hardly any space already and it makes it difficult to watch movies etc. and really impacts on the comfort of the person behind you. I remember a girl reclined her seat fully and kept swishing her ponytail so I was slapped across the face with it several occasions during a long haul flight. Drives me nuts. If he wanted comfort he should book first class himself.

Totally agree

Everyone has the same space on a plane. Reclining your seat reduces the tiny amount of space the person behind you has. The advice from the Chief Executive of American Airlines (I think its that airline) is if you want to recline it is polite and common decency to ask the person behind you first before you recline.

You could just think, it the person behind wont like it if I recline then I am being a selfish wanker and should just not recline. Or you can ask first, eg "do you mind if I recline and reduce the space you have in front of you, so that I can have more space myself?"

If you think the person behind you would say no, if you were to ask them prior to reclining then you are a selfish dick if you recline.

IF you are so large or so big that flights are uncomfortable in standard seats perhaps consider some of the benefits you have in life as a taller person and just accept the discomfort for a few hours (or upgrade).

the seats dont recline that far! and how it affected your knees i have no idea? if i need too i will recline my seat! i paid for the seat, if the seat has the recline facility i will use it.

Haha, what warped logic you have. In your world its okay to recline into their space without caring about their comfort?

🙄🙄🙄

Perhaps you could also light a cigarette while you recline.

Weird

YABU - Reclining seats outside of meal times is 100% fine. He paid for a reclining seat and he is allowed to use it. 5ft 10 is tall for a woman but not exceptionally tall for a person generally and is no reason you should get special treatment.

Personally I tend not to recline my seat on a day flight unless the person in front of me does, in which case I do to maintain the same amount of space I had to begin with. Ideally everyone should recline at the same time but in the absence of agreement people can do it whenever they want.

I didn't cross or uncross my legs at all, just moving them around occasionally.

As I said earlier, my husband is also well over six feet tall and he definitely has had a problem with people reclining their seats even on not so tiny planes.

Sometimes the only way he can sit is with his legs spread wide apart, and we all know how much MN loves men who sit with their spread legs wide apart!

Controversial. Recycling seats are there for more comfort for the passengers, that's why flying BA for example doesn't cost £9.99 like on Ryanair or similar 🤷🏼‍♀️

YANBU I've had it done to me a few times flying long haul in economy even whilst I had the tray down trying to eat .. was fuming but me being a fool continued trying to eat whilst I was all squashed

I didn't ask for special treatment, I objected at being moaned at because he could feel my knees! I don't think I should have to stay completely still when he made the choice to recline

You should have called the attendant.