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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think it's actually OK to recline your seat on a long haul flight?

407 replies

winterwonder1 · 04/07/2025 19:21

I always thought it was just one of those things, but this poll seems to make out it's anti-social behaviour. And that hack is just batshit.

Best life hack to stop air passengers reclining their seat | Chester and District Standard

Flier shares 'best life hack' to stop passengers in front reclining their seat

Traveller shares her 'best life hack', involving a tub of Pringles, but is branded 'pathetic' and 'a horrible person'.

https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/25287018.best-life-hack-stop-air-passengers-reclining-seat/

OP posts:
RufustheFactualReindeer · 05/07/2025 15:30

MoriftedinaFrenchEscapeRoom · 05/07/2025 15:02

badwithnumbers · Today 09:30
I have no problem with a slight recline during the day on a flight, but fully reclined (basically totally horizontal), during the day and when people are eating/drinking and CANNOT actually sit in their seats is selfish. I don’t have anything else to say on the matter.

Thank you very much, I am assuming its just the one poster…i hate seats reclining but ive never come across it in economy, i would have totally kicked off 😀

Lardychops · 05/07/2025 15:33

Doingtheboxerbeat · 05/07/2025 14:35

This whole thread is so annoying if you are a recliner which you are allowed to be and you also happen to be a considerate person who thinks of others .
I would be inclined to not want to get into a confrontation with the passenger behind me, especially if they have a child, however, most of my friends wouldn't give the shiniest of shites , so I would be sat bolt upright and my friends would be🛏️.
There needs to a standard that everyone agrees to and not just the free-for-all that we have at present . It's like putting the outdoor smoking area right next to the dining area or children's play area - its just creating conflict for no good reason.

I’m in the couldn’t give a shiny shit camp
hopefully reclining happily behind someone considerate like you tho!
win win in that case

iamgoingthere · 05/07/2025 15:34

youreactinglikeafunmum · 04/07/2025 19:37

Serious question, and not to derail your thread op - is it okay to be barefoot on an 8 hour flight?

And to answer the question, I think its fine for nighttime x

This reminds of the time I did a long haul flight from Asia.

The bloke behind me took his shoes off. Man, he had stinky feet. There were people all around feeling uncomfortable and holding their noses, one man had stuffed tissue up his nose.

No one said anything to the Smelly Feet Man. I was only 18 at the time, but I plucked up the courage to tell him his feet was very smelly and could he please put his shoes back on. He was embarrassed, his friends teased him and I got a round of applause. 😂

Lardychops · 05/07/2025 15:35

itbemay1 · 04/07/2025 19:53

I was on a 2h BA flight recently and the guy in front reclined the seat!! My DH asked him to put it back up and he did but I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think seats should be able to recline on short haul. Yes to long haul as I’m guessing there’s a little bit more leg room.

Why did your DH do that
rude twat - fucking upgrade or put up with it

poor bloke - no idea why he sat back up

youreactinglikeafunmum · 05/07/2025 15:54

iamgoingthere · 05/07/2025 15:34

This reminds of the time I did a long haul flight from Asia.

The bloke behind me took his shoes off. Man, he had stinky feet. There were people all around feeling uncomfortable and holding their noses, one man had stuffed tissue up his nose.

No one said anything to the Smelly Feet Man. I was only 18 at the time, but I plucked up the courage to tell him his feet was very smelly and could he please put his shoes back on. He was embarrassed, his friends teased him and I got a round of applause. 😂

😭😭😭 the SHOWER i am going to have before this flight 😅 plus I'm gonna wash my crocs and get a pedicure 🙈

whatcanthematterbe81 · 05/07/2025 16:00

That’s what they’re for, why wouldn’t you

Ohthedaffodils · 05/07/2025 16:11

Cathy Pacific stewards barked at the people in front of me who reclined just before meal service.

Fundayout2025 · 05/07/2025 16:13

Lardychops · 05/07/2025 15:35

Why did your DH do that
rude twat - fucking upgrade or put up with it

poor bloke - no idea why he sat back up

Out of curiosity how can you upgrade to get more leg room on a SH flight? Have you ever seen euro biz? Same seats just the middle one blocked.

Lardychops · 05/07/2025 16:17

Fundayout2025 · 05/07/2025 16:13

Out of curiosity how can you upgrade to get more leg room on a SH flight? Have you ever seen euro biz? Same seats just the middle one blocked.

Not sure but premiun
economy worth every penny !

heroinechic · 05/07/2025 16:19

Lardychops · 05/07/2025 15:35

Why did your DH do that
rude twat - fucking upgrade or put up with it

poor bloke - no idea why he sat back up

Maybe he realised he was making someone else uncomfortable and wanted to address that 🤷🏻‍♀️

Or maybe he didn’t give a shit about the person behind him, but didn’t fancy his chances with the husband.

Fundayout2025 · 05/07/2025 16:50

Lardychops · 05/07/2025 16:17

Not sure but premiun
economy worth every penny !

Not available on SH

RufustheFactualReindeer · 05/07/2025 18:44

Asking someone to not recline isnt being a rude twat

the recliner could always have said no

Lardychops · 05/07/2025 19:05

RufustheFactualReindeer · 05/07/2025 18:44

Asking someone to not recline isnt being a rude twat

the recliner could always have said no

Gob smacked he didn’t
bloody cheek

QuizzlyBears · 05/07/2025 19:12

I tend to be of the opinion that the recliner camp is made up of people who perhaps don’t fly very often and therefore don’t get quite how irritating it can be. I fly 2/3 times a month and strongly feel that
reclining is rude and really annoying - I also recognise that I find children on flights mostly annoying too, so I book club to give myself my own space.

ParmaVioletTea · 05/07/2025 19:17

I tend to be of the opinion that the recliner camp is made up of people who perhaps don’t fly very often and therefore don’t get quite how irritating it can be.

Don't be silly. I fly once a month and long haul and super-long haul several times a year, and have done so for about 40 years. I don't think reclining is rude, I do it, and I don't resent people who do it (unless at meal times).

I do think anyone (child or adult) who kicks the seat in front of them is beyond rude, however. Also those who grab the back of the seat in front of them as they get in & out of their seat, instead of grabbing the back of their own seat. THat's VERY rude.

UnhappyHobbit · 05/07/2025 19:24

Someone reclined on me once while I still had a cup of tea. It spilt all over me and burnt me. The selfish pig didn’t even apologise.

I had one woman ask before if her partner could recline as he was tall and struggling to stretch out. Im also tall and my knees were touching the seat so I said what am I supposed to do if he reclines? They didn’t take it well and she spent half the flight looking at my knees which was awkward, they weren’t just suddenly going to shrink.

LiterallyMelting · 05/07/2025 19:27

If I am flying 12+ hours I am going to recline my seat and sleep. I always do it after the meal is served. The. I put it back upright when they serve breakfast. I flew long haul loads and there is like 10 hours between the two meals.

notimagain · 05/07/2025 19:34

@QuizzlyBears

I tend to be of the opinion that the recliner camp is made up of people who perhaps don’t fly very often and therefore don’t get quite how irritating it can be. I fly 2/3 times a month and strongly feel that

As someone who worked as a Longhaul crewmember for many years and who also travelled a lot "down the back" both LH and SH and experienced the joys of recline I actually think it's probably the opposite.

I certainly get the impression some of those who seem to be the most keen on imposing some quite bizarre and authoritarian rules on this issue have hardly ever flown long haul/ultra long haul.

MondayYogurt · 05/07/2025 19:54

Good news for you then, soon you may be able to stand instead! Surely even better than everyone sitting upright for 18 hours.😆

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/travel/article/standing-up-airplane-seat

But seriously, as this is a MN flight thread, let’s all remember that the primary purpose of all flying is to infuriate not only every other person in the airport and on board (and ourselves) as much as possible, but doing so while maintaining a sanctimonious core of superiority and judgement over everyone.

Extra points for spending an entire flight fantasising over how you’ll make ‘them’ pay.

Will new standing-up airplane seat design take off? | CNN

Italian seat manufacturer Aviointeriors has come up with a design concept in which airplane seats are so far upright that passengers are pretty much standing up. Will this design take off?

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/travel/article/standing-up-airplane-seat

saltinesandcoffeecups · 05/07/2025 20:00

QuizzlyBears · 05/07/2025 19:12

I tend to be of the opinion that the recliner camp is made up of people who perhaps don’t fly very often and therefore don’t get quite how irritating it can be. I fly 2/3 times a month and strongly feel that
reclining is rude and really annoying - I also recognise that I find children on flights mostly annoying too, so I book club to give myself my own space.

How do you classify the people who don’t think it’s rude at the same time don’t usually recline?

28Fluctuations · 05/07/2025 20:30

UnhappyHobbit · 05/07/2025 19:24

Someone reclined on me once while I still had a cup of tea. It spilt all over me and burnt me. The selfish pig didn’t even apologise.

I had one woman ask before if her partner could recline as he was tall and struggling to stretch out. Im also tall and my knees were touching the seat so I said what am I supposed to do if he reclines? They didn’t take it well and she spent half the flight looking at my knees which was awkward, they weren’t just suddenly going to shrink.

I know airlines serve it... but just why why why do people order hot drinks in a moving vehicle prone to jolts and bumps, then set it on a flimsy plastic tray attached to a seat they have no contol over?? I mean, does it not occur that it might spill and injure you or the innocent bystander next to you?

I am fine with reclining - but I mightily resent people ordering hot coffee and forcing the FA to pass it to them over my lap.

HouseholdBudget · 05/07/2025 20:57

QuizzlyBears · 05/07/2025 19:12

I tend to be of the opinion that the recliner camp is made up of people who perhaps don’t fly very often and therefore don’t get quite how irritating it can be. I fly 2/3 times a month and strongly feel that
reclining is rude and really annoying - I also recognise that I find children on flights mostly annoying too, so I book club to give myself my own space.

So you think you know best. And that your way is the right way. No. Get over yourself. It doesn't matter how often any of us fly. In any other situation, people are told to put themselves first. Yet somehow with flying, we are meant to prioritise others' comfort. Not happening.

heroinechic · 05/07/2025 21:11

HouseholdBudget · 05/07/2025 20:57

So you think you know best. And that your way is the right way. No. Get over yourself. It doesn't matter how often any of us fly. In any other situation, people are told to put themselves first. Yet somehow with flying, we are meant to prioritise others' comfort. Not happening.

It isn’t about prioritising the comfort of others; not reclining your seat doesn’t make the other person more comfortable than you. When all the seats are in the upright position, everyone is on the same playing field.

When people begin reclining ad-hoc they are making themselves more comfortable at the expense of others.

HouseholdBudget · 05/07/2025 21:16

heroinechic · 05/07/2025 21:11

It isn’t about prioritising the comfort of others; not reclining your seat doesn’t make the other person more comfortable than you. When all the seats are in the upright position, everyone is on the same playing field.

When people begin reclining ad-hoc they are making themselves more comfortable at the expense of others.

It makes me less comfortable than I want to be.
Not reclining is absolutely prioritising someone else. Spinning it as leveling the playing field is bollocks, it ensures everyone is uncomfortable. Recline and only the awkward minority are.

RufustheFactualReindeer · 05/07/2025 22:19

Recline and only the awkward minority are

or dont recline and only the awkward minority are

i don’t like being reclined on 😳 so i don’t recline, if someone reclines in front of me and isn’t sleeping then I’m not happy…do i do anything? No, they are allowed to recline and there is nothing i can do about it

except mealtimes….then i will speak to the stewardess etc