Airline recliners!!

[Kaz65]

Does anyone know how far the Virgin Atlantic economy seats recline?? I hope it isnt far, as this is one of my main gripes with the longhaul flights. Its not enough that you have a restricted space, but then to have the passenger in front 'drop back' into it is one of the most annoying things to contend with (especially when not given notice and you are in the middle of a hot drink!). Mind you with seatback screens, I dont suppose they can go back too far as it would be impossible to view your screen if it did

 

[amberandolly]

I would say they go back a good 3 inches - we had one of "those" people on our return flight - as soon as the meal trays had been collected, he reclined all the way in one go ( without checking behind him ) and stayed that way until breakfast came round - we had to ask him to put his seat back up. He also bought a full size pillow and put it between his seat and the unfortunate lady sat beside him - he was travelling alone. He was in the isle seat and I felt sorry for the couple sat with him, they were trapped.
Every time I wanted to get up I had to haul myself up on the back of his seat ( if I disturbed him, so much the better ).
Why on earth don't they have ALL the seat arms able to be lifted? - it would have made things so much easier as at least you could get out sidewards if they did !
The screens are adjustable.

 

[wayneg]

Your own seat goes back by the same amount so you have exactly the same space if they up or down.
We aways try get back seats on a section, recline as soon as we are allowed and sleep til we are woken for landing, unless we are woken for food.

 

[Shazzie B]

I don't object on the flight home-we are all trying to sleep-but on a day flight some people only seem to care about their own comfort not those around them.

Reclining your seat during a 'day' flight without checking behind you is just rude - We too suffered this on our last flight, my daughter nearly had drink all over her, caused by this. If she'd done this it would have been 'kids today etc!' She couldn't do any colouring, word searches etc because of angle of table, fortunately she's a good kid (and also taught manners) and didn't make a fuss. We had to ask the flight attendance to ask them to put their seats up so we could have our meal, as even when these were brought round they didn't put their seats up.

 

[tttessa]

Hiya -
I had the opposite problem - on a night flight, I reclined my seat - after the food trays and drinks etc were done with - they dimmed the lights, and warning the lady behind. I wanted to sleep - it was 2am US time.

As soon as I reclined she thumped the back of my seat really hard and said "NOT THAT FAR - I'm watching the film". Well, I'm sorry, but I wanted some sleep, so stayed reclined - I know it is hard when the screen is that close - but a) it was NIGHTIME and b) she could recline too...

On a day flight, I will recline slightly - after the meal, drinks etc, just for comfort - the seats are not great after a couple of hours, but would not recline fully... though I know sometimes people are not on the first leg of their flight, so do understand if someone in front of me needs to recline and sleep. But as the OP said, it is nice to get a warning.

I wouldn't let it spoil my flight though - if you have to grab the seat to get up, well that's what you have to do - and the person who is reclined must be prepared for that...

There's a lot worse than someone reclined in front of you! Someone behind me put their stinky, smelly foot on the aisle arm-rest next to my head once bleugh!!! And couldn't understand why I asked them to remove it!!!!!!! Then there's kids behind who kick your seat in time to the music... kids in front who hang over the seat watching your every move.... rowing adults....whining children.... smelly bottomed babies being NAPPY CHANGED right next to you.... teething babies.... I could go on..... please stop me.....
The most annoying was the child behind who had a fascination for dropping and reclipping the tray - his mother eventually offered to swap seats with me - after 45 minutes!!!

Hey ho, they wonder why people find flying stressful! I'm sure it has nothing to do with fear of crashing, just other people.....

Tessa

 

[Shazzie B]

Think I might attempt to swim the Atlantic this year!!!

 

[Neoshoegal]

Well, I guess I'm rude then, but I don't care. I recline my seat as soon as I'm allowed. If I don't, I get the most terrible back pains with half an hour. Sorry can't help it, my back is just crooked.
Also, I don't really see what the problem is, like Wayne said, if you recline your seat too you still have the same amount space. I've also never had a problem with people who recline their seat in front of me: the table stays fine and I can tilt the little screen. What's the problem?

We do try to get seat at the back so nobody is behind us. But this time I won't have to worry about anything... flying UC

 

[Zeebs]

Well, I guess I'm rude then, but I don't care. I recline my seat as soon as I'm allowed. If I don't, I get the most terrible back pains with half an hour. Sorry can't help it, my back is just crooked.
Also, I don't really see what the problem is, like Wayne said, if you recline your seat too you still have the same amount space. I've also never had a problem with people who recline their seat in front of me: the table stays fine and I can tilt the little screen. What's the problem?

We do try to get seat at the back so nobody is behind us. But this time I won't have to worry about anything... flying UC

I am with you, I use to get all annoyed about it when it happened to me and then I figured if I can't beat them join them. They are designed to be reclined and if you recline yours as well the space is the same and you can do everything you want if you are both upright.

My only issue is the people that don't put them up again at meal times, but usually the flight attendents on flights I have been on will ask them to while the meal is being served and eaten.

I also don't think it matters much day or night if I didn't have two small children with me I would be quite happy to recline and sleep through my day time flight. (heck I might just do it anyway and let the kids run riot )

Kirsten

 

[Cyrano]

Think I might attempt to swim the Atlantic this year!!!

 

[UKDEB]

Both the screens and the trays are adjustable to allow for reclining.

When we were on the way back from St Lucia in March, there was one almighty scene going on further up the plane because a guy had committed the heinous crime of reclining his seat. The recliners in question got moved right to the back next to us and given all sorts of freebies and special attention. The cabin crew were saying that they have at least one episode of air rage per flight in connection with seat reclining. I don't know what happened to the passenger who'd kicked up, but I hope he's been banned from flying Virgin (he got very nasty, apparently).

It doesn't matter how aggrieved anyone feels about having the seat in front of them reclined, the recliner is doing nothing wrong. Getting worked up about it doesn't change that simple premise. I genuinely don't understand why so many people believe it to be so inconsiderate. We've just become extremely intolerant of anything which doesn't suit us.

 

[Zeebs]

Both the screens and the trays are adjustable to allow for reclining.

When we were on the way back from St Lucia in March, there was one almighty scene going on further up the plane because a guy had committed the heinous crime of reclining his seat. The recliners in question got moved right to the back next to us and given all sorts of freebies and special attention. The cabin crew were saying that they have at least one episode of air rage per flight in connection with seat reclining. I don't know what happened to the passenger who'd kicked up, but I hope he's been banned from flying Virgin (he got very nasty, apparently).

It doesn't matter how aggrieved anyone feels about having the seat in front of them reclined, the recliner is doing nothing wrong. Getting worked up about it doesn't change that simple premise. I genuinely don't understand why so many people believe it to be so inconsiderate. We've just become extremely intolerant of anything which doesn't suit us.

Yeah what she said...

 

[Goofyish]

I agree there is nothing wrong with reclining, but you should check with the person sitting behind you first just to be polite before flinging your seat back

 

[kayleighnik]

You may well be able to recline your seat exactly the same amount, but when you have some consideration for the person sat behind you, unlike the person sat in front of you, you don't necessarily want to. Plus, as a student, the majority of the time on an aeroplane I spend working, and this is more or less impossible when someone has reclined their seat...I've never had one single person ask me if that was alright. Actually - yes, I have...but they were family!

I also have to get out of my seat every 10-15 minutes...a right pain in the **** when the person in front has reclined their seat!

*pet hate*

Next time, though, my fiancee is paying for upper class - seeing as its our 21st birthdays then. Thank goodness!

 

[Lizzybear]

I have to say i'm glad this thread is so civil, seen some right flame wars going on with regards to reclining I remember one person (adult) admitted to slouching jamming their knees into the seat of anyone who dared to recline in front of them and getting their DD to do the same, really mature! If the person is being inconsiderate about it (such as when food/drink is being served) then I can understand the grievances but I think most people are respectful about it.

 

[Dimplenose]

I am learning in this life that it is not worth getting upset over something that we have no control over (it's taken me a long time to work this out!) People are sold a ticket for a reclining seat and are more than likely going to recline it. I understand that there are more polite ways of using this facility and not everyone is considerate of their fellow passengers but at the end of the day it is you that will will end up cross not the passenger in front of you.

I find that if I go on to the plane expecting to be squashed then I don't feel as angry when it happens and therefore I'll have a much better flight because I'm not so up tight.

As for jamming knees into the reclined seat in front DH can't help it as he is tall. We try to get the pairs of seat towards the rear of the plane so that I can sit in front of DH as I don't recline my seat because I find the reclined seats very uncomfortable.

 

[Boss Hogg]

Very hotly contested issue this. Without sounding too blunt I think that it is tough. The seats do recline and each passenger is as entitled to recline as the next one. By the same token, if you are sat behind a seat that is reclined and to get out is somewhat awkward and you jolt the seat in front, this is is also tough.

That is not to say that if it happens to you, then you have to like it, but until airlines fix the seats I think that it just an inevitable fact of air travel - like queues!

The only problem I have with "asking" the person behind you is what if they say they don't want you to recline it - then what do you do? One of you won't get what you want.

 

[Boss Hogg]

If the person is being inconsiderate about it (such as when food/drink is being served)

I've heard the cabin crew ask (over the PA system) for people to put seats up during food service before, which seems like a good idea to me.

 

[Kaz65]

Thanks for all the civil rsponses - I thought this might be a 'hot' subject!

Personally I dont object to a small recline but Ive been on flights where I could practically see up the lady in fronts' nostrils she was so far back into my space. I am with you Dimplenose on this one as I find the reclined position uncomfortable for my back. When you said to request the 2's at the back and sit in front of DH are you a party of 4? My Dh too is 6ft5 and finds his knees dig into the seat in front, but when I tried to prebook a 2 and 1 at the rear, the system wouldnt allow it as it was breaking up our party of 3. Not detered however, for the flight home I have managed to book a 2 at the back and 1 at the other side of the aisle so the party is together (row 61). Although I wont be able to sit in front of DH, he will be able to use the spare space near the window so can alternate his legs on an angle and get a bit of comfort

 

[Dimplenose]

Yes there are 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 teenagers.

It's good that you've got that bit of space by the window I think it will make a difference. Remember to do on line check-in to maximise your chance of retaining these seats as they can get reallocated.

 

[paulh]

i vote for fixed seats,the amount they recline is rediculas.if fixed would allow more pitch
Paulh