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?

Why do you do it? To get more space?

It's very anti- social.

There isn't enough space in Economy for everyone to be comfortable. It's like putting animals in too small a cage. There are bound to be scraps.

Fair enough.

But after reclining, would you then complain if someone's knees were sticking in to your back?

I recline because the seat allows me to recline and I sleep a great deal on planes . Simple. It's not anti social. If it was they wouldn't have reclining seats . Why do they spend money on them if they are not to be used? Seriously ..

The fact that I recline my seat does not bring the person's knees closer 🤷‍♀️ it's only the upper part that reclines. Why would they have their knees high up?

Unfortunately I don't think this is the case. Had a woman sat next to me. She must have been around 5ft 8 and was of a bigger build than me but carried it relatively well due to her height. The poor man in front tried to recline his seat but couldn't as her knees came all the way up to the seat. The poor bloke thought his seat was broken then eventually realised. I am not sure who I felt more sorry for as both parties were quite embarrassed.

It is a d move. I have only ever reclined after asking permission on night flights. It is so rude on short day flights. I have a disability that I don't claim any assistance at all for because it's mostly ok but reclined seats really hurt me for days after. I've so often had people in front recline their seat for the hell of it then sit forward not using the space! There are two types of people on life. Those who recline at will and those who are thoughtful about it

I’m from NZ and always recline on long distance, sometimes short distance too if I’m trying to nap (two young kids - always shattered). I’ve never understood why some people thing it’s bad manners - they can recline theirs too? I would never during mealtime though or if I saw they had a small child on their lap.

I’m also 5’11 and agree that there’s nothing you can do about legs moving. He’s an entitled arse for having a go about that!

Are you vertically challenged?
If the seat pitch is too small of course the kees would be positioned as they are in your image.

Some people have incredibly long legs, and not everyone can afford to buy extra legroom seats. We always do because we can.

That said, we only fly short haul to Europe on airlines that don't have reclining seats.

I'm short, 5ft 2, but my legs are long relative to my body. I never have as much leg room as you'd think to look at me and usually have to buy regular length trousers rather than short which look ridiculous on me.

@RampantIvy I have never seen anyone sit in a plane in that ridiculous position 😂 .

@forevernumb to be honest neither have I, but DH is very tall and when he hasn't been able to get an extra legroom seat he has sat in an aisle seat and stuck his feet out into the aisle.

Yeah look at these ridiculous positions that nobody would ever sit in

There are comparatively few extra leg room seats in economy and the bulk head seats are given to those flying assisted and those with babies.
We don't fly economy now and I still hate people reclining in front of me.

Do you recline for just your own meal time?

Are you aware enough of the person behind you to see if they've been brought a special meal before general service starts, or if they're still eating with their tray table down when you're already done?

Do you look back before reclining fully to check that they're not reaching forward to get something from under the seat (I have been injured this way) and that they don't have a laptop open or a child on their lap?

In other words, are you remotely interested in anyone else's wellbeing or just your own?

Sorry to disappoint you @Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice but I don't recline my seat while the person behind me is eating. 🙄

This.

Is all this angst about reclining seats a new thing? I don’t fly much these days.

Reclining carefully after the meal has been cleared away on a long haul flight rarely used to cause problems. It’s marginally more comfortable and does not lessen space for others if everyone reclines.

@BanksysSprayCan

Is all this angst about reclining seats a new thing? I don’t fly much these days.

IMO I think some gripes are sometimes justified and are down to the general reduction in seat pitch in economy on some airlines over the years.

OTOH I do think some of the grumbles here indicate that maybe a few posters have never, to borrow a phrase, walked a mile in another person’s shoes…

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c869178wqzno

Article in bbc news today about this!

darksideofthemooncup, I would have!!! Hard.

Seems to cover many aspects of flying - so many irritating things. This is why people pay extra to book certain seats or classes of travel.