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To recline or not to recline…

Turkish Airlines

Squabble over a few angry inches erupts (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

THAT is the question!

Our recent post “Six highly annoying habits of infrequent flyers” drew quite a response from our readers – especially on the question of whether or not a passenger should feel free to recline his or her seat, and if so, under what circumstances.

It’s a question that never goes away – and sometimes comes back strong, like in 2014 when a couple of nasty incidents involving passengers’ use of the Knee Defender resulted in arguments that caused flights to be diverted. (The 12-year-old Knee Defender is a plastic item some travelers buy to install over their tray table arms; it prevents the seat ahead of them from reclining. Fortune magazine even devoted an article to whether or not a traveler might have a right to sue if the Knee Defender was deployed against them.)

Advocates of reclining their seat argue that if they didn’t have a right to recline, the airlines wouldn’t install reclining seats. Opponents suggest that maybe they shouldn’t. (And some low-fare carriers – Allegiant and Spirit – don’t. Here’s a look at how that worked out for them.)

Anyway, following is a summary of reader comments about the pros and cons of seat reclining. What about YOU? Please leave your comments below…

“I never ever recline. I’m 6’3″ and when someone reclines it seriously hurts me. I know that the chairs recline, but they shouldn’t. My knees (except in first class) are already in the back of the seatback in front of me. Which is why I always try to book an aisle so that I can at least extend one leg. I’m fine when people in first class recline as it usually doesn’t cause me any issues, but unless you’re riding in first class PLEASE I’m begging you for the sake of all of us that are tall (or perhaps just have long legs), don’t recline! We can’t do anything about our height.” – Joshua Titus

“I have a bad lower back, and airline seats seem designed to put the most stress on it–so yes, I still recline (and still need ibuprofen). However, I go back slowly and gently, since I know someone is back there. Most irritating to me are those folks who use something to block the recline function.” – Kevin Ford

“I still recline. If we weren’t supposed to recline, the seats wouldn’t have the ability to do so.” — SkippingDog

“Each to their own (feel the ‘zen’), but isn’t this like lighting up onboard an older aircraft because there are still ash trays in the arms?” — Howard

“Not at all, since the law and the rules are that nobody smokes on airplanes anymore. When there’s a law or a rule that prohibits reclining my seat, I’ll certainly comply with it.” – SkippingDog

“I recline but I go back very slowly.” – Jeff

“If the seat has recline, then I’m going to recline. If you don’t like it, pay for business class. – Anthony Wong

“On some aircraft, the seat has an ash tray too! This is not about what’s possible or legal, it’s about what’s polite and protocol.  PS — I do recline too, but only on flights where one might reasonably expect most people to be sleeping/resting.” – Howard

Thinner "slimline" all the rage among airlines these days (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Some airlines don’t offer reclining seats at all- like these on Hawaiian’s 717’s used for short inter island flights (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

“Reclining makes it really challenging for the person behind you to work, eat, and be comfortable. It’s an antiquated concept on modern jets (at least in coach).” – David Mandelbaum

“Under two hours, rarely recline. Longer than that, I recline on take-off when I know the tray tables are up.” – RD

“The fact that planes are too full is a problem for the airline, but doesn’t change the fact that the seats are made to recline. Unless I’m flying for work, I usually fly first class these days, and I recline there too.” – SkippingDog

“I don’t recline, even in first class. You are cutting into the space of the person behind you. I am always furious when the person in front of me reclines.” — Hokey

Why don’t you chime in with your two cents on this contentious issue? Fire away in the comments below.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: How to get the BEST summer fare deals | One airline fee fading fast | Trip Report: Aer Lingus Economy Class | 5 top jobs for frequent travelers  | First class phase out coming soon

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Comments

  1. How dare this guy attack me. No I am not overweight and yes I’m a very considered person. But just because I say I want to recline my seat, I am overweight and a inconsiderate according to this guy who has never met or seen me??? Sorry this guy is way out of line. I sit in either first class or economy plus on United so this problem never comes up but if the person in back of me had a problem I would be considered enough not to recline the inch or two. But to have a total stranger write this about me is low.

  2. Frank, it is such a tragedy that you couldn’t be fully productive on YOUR flight, and that somebody moved YOUR shade down …… people should be more considerate, are YOU listening?, but for the most part, flying is so miserable … just finally getting TO the airplane in Atlanta, for example,…..take a chill pill, friend. read something.

  3. If I’m flying in economy, I always turn to the person behind after reclining and ask if they have enough room. Most times, they’re so surprised they say it’s fine.

  5. Ok, when I say that my knees are already in the seatback before you recline. This is what I mean. There is really no room for me. Now admittedly, this was a smaller plane, but most planes only give me an extra 3/4 – 1 1/2″ more space for my knees. So sometimes my knees aren’t touching the seat but it’s pretty dang close as soon as you recline, you’re coming down on top of me. Business class is obviously slightly better but not much. First class is really the only place that I don’t ever have any problems for leg room.

  6. Here’s the thing. The bulkhead, the exit row they’re limited, on every flight. I can’t always book those seats. You can ALWAYS choose not to recline. I can’t always help what seat I’m in.

  7. Easily, Mr. Consideration. Trust me, you ARE being an inconsiderate a-hole. And, being overweight as you are, you’re already crowding your seat mates. Do us all a favor and buy two seats (one for each butt cheek) and don’t recline.

  9. First, people RARELY recline in the US on short-haul flights. Second, your post implies that someone’s right to recline should be subservient to your desire to have more legroom. Interesting, you actually sound just like the people you criticize.

  10. How can you say that you s.o.b.
    The airlines give us very little so if there is recline in my seat I am going to recline and I won’t feel like I am being a inconsiderate person.
    Blame the airlines for crowding these seats, not me.

  12. The reality is that for MOST PEOPLE in most circumstances (acknowledging the exceptions noted in this thread), the actual recline is so small that it’s effect is largely psychological, not physical. And just because you can doesn’t mean that your should.

    At the end of the day, it all comes down to manners and courtesy. Or as the amazing Kitty LeClaw once put it, “What kinda trailer park did your momma raise you in?”

  13. I’ve heard a lot of overweight people say that…Maybe try a diet, so you won’t be one of those inconsiderate a-holes?

  14. I feel your statement is a bit ignorant and very ironic. What is my other means of transportation from San Francisco to Sydney other than to fly? Go on a boat? If you are on a 14 hour flight from San Francisco to Sydney which I was on last month, you would not recline while everyone else recline? Sorry, I’m reclining. If you have empathy, you would realize that a 14 hour flight on UA in those seats are punishing and any sort of recline would immensely help with comfort.

  17. If passengers cared enough about this (and they might), airlines could have a segment in each class with “recline free” seating. Of course, this will cost you and extra $25 or more per seat if booked in advance 😉

  19. Chris, Beware the exit row on a United Airlines 737-900 with the new interior. I never recline (unless on a flight across the ocean), but really wanted to in this seat (and couldn’t). There is so little padding and the seat kind of “pushes” you forward.

  22. I think the main point is the manner in which one reclines. That being, if you recline slowly, the person whose space you are reclining into will not have items knocked from a tray table onto them, and will not have their knees banged. Also, if you hate the prospect of someone reclining into your space, sit in an emergency exit row. The rows ahead of you cannot recline.

  24. I have the exact same issue. Instead of cradling my neck like they are designed to do, the head rest juts out at the top of my head and pushes my head forward. I recline about 2 inches and do it ever so slowly, hoping the person behind me won’t notice. I hate airline seats.

  27. Yep! Exit rows are great for avoiding the recliners. Plus I don’t mind sitting in those exit rows that do not recline… since I would not do so anyway!

  29. why only during meal service. What about the person who is trying to get work done on the flight?

  30. I just had a big discussion about this with my wife because the woman in front of me went for the full recline right into my laptop…essentially preventing me from being able to be fully productive on the flight…and then she proceeded to move my shade down.

    The recline is an invasion of the space of the person behind you and one should be considerate when they make that move backwards. The full recline is the most hostile version and during a mid-con or shorter flight, its a declaration of war. Even if the person behind you fully reclines, the space becomes changed in that its less productive for working, reading, etc.

    The full recline is for over-night/long-haul only. Period. End of Sentence. And by long haul, I mean flights that connect continents, not Dallas to Tampa. I get that this is a bold statement and that many people will refute, fight and even treat my emphatic statement as hostile. Perhaps you don’t realize how hostile your full recline is!

  31. I never recline, no matter how long the flight! Let’s be civil and courteous; it’s bound to cause the
    passenger behind you discomfort! Get some empathy in life! I hate it when the person in front reclines, thus I always go for “exit” row seats where possible!! But it would help immensely if the airlines took the initiative and made the seats fixed – end of debate!! Back problems, find another means of transportation or see an orthopedic specialist!!

  32. This is a “Have you stopped beating your wife?” question. If the airline industry hadn’t ceased control to the “let’s get water from a rock” finance departments we wouldn’t have this issue. It’s not passengers’ fault that the airline industry is now flying sardine cans with wings.

  33. I was recently thinking about this issue.
    So say you’re getting into a small Taxi with several other people. You’re sitting in the front passenger seat. Two adults get into the back with one sitting right behind you.
    Do you:
    A.) Leave your seat as is.
    B.) Move your seat up some to allow them more leg room in the small backseat.
    C.) Recline your seat as far as it goes because it’s going to be a long ride, you paid good money for that seat and damn well will recline and get full use out of it.

  34. First of all, I do not fly economy, so the reclining issue
    may not be such a big deal in my case. Anyway, I ALWAYS recline, as soon
    as we take off (or as soon as I wake up if I have fallen asleep prior to take
    off). Furthermore, I always un-recline for meal service as a courtesy to
    the person behind me. I then recline again once I am sure their tray has
    been removed.

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