Is it considered rude to lean your seat back on the plane?

[*Fantasia*]

Now that is the epitome of rudeness!! What gives you the right to decide whether or not someone can recline their seat?

Coach travel is uncomfortable. Period. You get what you pay for. However, I don't think it's rude to recline your seat. I don't because I rarely have a need to but I certainly wouldn't think twice if the person in front of me did.

And if someone asked me if they could recline their seat, I think I would feel a little uncomfortable. What's the point? It's not like I'm actually going to say "no". I'm not the boss of the airplane seats!

Ali

Agree! That is not right to put the wedge behind the seat so the person in front of you cannot recline.

I do not ask, and I recline as soon as after take-off. So..don't hate me! Just don't sit behind me! I don't mind if the person in front of me recline their seat.

It is not rude to lean back. The seat is intended to lean back. You don't have to ask, but you should do it slowly and little bby little so you don't knock over anything behind you.

It is rude to keep your seat leaned back during mealtime or when someone behind you wants to climb out.

It is rude to interfere with someone in front trying to lean his seat back.

For those who doesn't like to recline or in front of you to recline and they do, what do you do? Do you ask them to bring their seat back? Do you have a choice? What's the purpose of those seats to go back if you can't use it?

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I didn't read all the the posts but I would agree that it depends.

If there are kids sitting behind me with very short legs, then I would have no problem reclining. The kicking is another story - lol! If I know that there is a very tall man behind me, no way I would recline out of common courtesy.

Now if it was someone in between (not too big, not too small - sounds like goldilocks!), I would recline a little, if necessary, and slowly. I hardly would recline all the way unless it was a really long flight and I was actually sleeping during that time.

 

[Gary M]

The row of seats in front of the exit row seats will not recline. I do try to get exit row seats if possible. On one flight, I was in my exit row seat and the goof in front of me tried to recline the seat and of course couldn't. He just about destroyed his seat trying to recline. He was making such a ruckuss that the FA had to get him stopped before he tore the seat off the floor.

 

[goofy4tink]

True story....we were flying to Orlando several years ago, on Song. Cramped spaces to say the least. My dh, 6'4" tall, always sits on the aisle. Well, as soon as we were in the air, the woman in the seat ahead of him just rammed her seat back. When it didn't go as far as she thought it should go, she tried it again! And again and again. She finally looked back and said..."Could you stop preventing my seat from reclining?" Dh just looked at her and asked what she thought he could do with his legs. Her retort was a hurumph. Then she tried recling again!!! Just kept banging away at dh's knees. Poor man.
I figure that it's only a 3 hr. flight. Even on a cross country flight I've never reclined my seat. It only goes back several inches. If sleeping is that important to you sit by the window and lean on that!!! Yes, these are low fare seats...and you do get what you pay for. But why does that mean that some people can be rude and nasty? Ever get the ole hairy eyeball from the person in front of you when you try to get to your carryon tote under that seat when he's reclined? Or have you ever had a seat reclined while your drink was on it? Or been put back in the upright position quickly while the drink is there? Manners people, manners!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I don't know whether it's rude or not. However, I generally only put my seat back a couple of inches, not all the way. My back can't handle being rigid, straight up and down for that long amount of time, but a couple inches reclining makes it a much more tolerable flight. I dont like it when the people in front of me put there seat back all the way, even though at 5'2, leg space is not an issue to me. I like being able to get to my carry on. I don't mind though if the seat goes partially back.

 

[DebbieB]

In December, I had my laptop on my tray and was editing my pictures. Then the person reclined and my laptop wedged into my stomach. I had to ask them to please sit up while I closed my laptop. They did and then reclined again. So I lost the right to use my laptop. I was almost done so I let it go but I don't understand why their right to recline overrides my right to use my laptop.

 

[safetymom]

Most airlines will prevent you from using the device to prevent someone from reclining.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Airplane seats are designed to recline. Except at takeoff and landing, the person in front of you is entitled to recline. You're entitled to recline. And the person behind you is entitled to recline. That way, everyone is in a slightly more comfortable position to read, sleep, or watch in-flight entertainment.

Seats in the coach cabin don't recline much. The top of the seat only reclines a few inches -- so the part of the seat that's at knee level moves back an inch or so.

It is not rude to recline. (I recline my seat slowly, just in case the passenger behind be happens to be leaning fiorward or has an open laptop computer.)

It is very rude to prevent the person in front of you from reclining, or to kick the seat in front, or to slam shut the tray table in a way that shoves the seat back forward.

By the way, I'm a frequent flyer and I'm over 6 feet.

As Hippychickali wrote, "Coach travel is uncomfortable. Period." Fortunately, most coach seats recline, so that makes them a little more comfortable.

 

[Hippychickali]

So I lost the right to use my laptop. I was almost done so I let it go but I don't understand why their right to recline overrides my right to use my laptop.

Right to use your laptop? Is that constitutionally entrenched?

Ali

 

[NotUrsula]

Perhaps not a right, but try explaining to your boss why that report wasn't ready on time. Many of us have assignment schedules that assume that we WILL be working while sitting still on an airplane. If I don't get it done on the plane, it won't get turned in on time. (The expectation is that I will stop and email it as soon as I get back on the ground and into wireless range.)

The problem with the whole argument about seats being designed to recline is that the recline that is designed in is set for a seat pitch greater than the one being used. Most seats on long-haul flights have a 6 inch recline, which isn't much, I grant, but it's a pretty large chunk of 32" of pitch.

 

[Hippychickali]

NotUrsula, I know about work expectations and traveling. However, I still don't think that an airline has to do anything to ensure that you are able to get your work done nor do the people who use the airline.

Ali

 

[becobscot]

Somehow, that chair in front always seems to be in the way, and it always gets a hard thump.
for you!

 

[fran99999]

I fly with my DS6. I have had a knee replacement that prevents me from bending my knee more than a certain amount. I am also 5'11". When the person in front of me reclines there seat into my space not only does it hit me in my knee causing me a considerable amount of pain but I sit tall in the seat so I can no longer see the movie i purchased so my DS6 would sit still and watch the movie with me. I also can not use the table to keep him amused to stop him from whining, kicking, and being bored to give everyone else a pleasureable flight. I am unable to sit in the emergency exits with the "more leg room and no reline seats" as I always travel with my DS6. I have asked the person in front to please not recline the seat as far so I can keep my son quiet, if they ignore me well whose fault is it. He is unble to see the TV, draw, or play with his airplane toys. Its not like I can let him play in the aisle right.
The most ignorant thing that has been done to me is when I have reclined my seat to get into my pacel to get out some toys for my DS to play with the woman behind me asked me if I could please put my seat up as it made her uncomforatable. Ok so I put up my seat only to realize she had her seat reclined so she could nap. You should have seen the look I got when I reclined my seat and she again asked me to put it up and I said "I want to take a nap like you so NO."

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Many of us have assignment schedules that assume that we WILL be working while sitting still on an airplane.

I have always been able to use my laptop on regular airliners, such as the MD80, 737, and 757. If someone reclines the seat in front of me, it does not prevent me from using my laptop. The tray table remains level. I can still see the display and use the keyboard.

The problem with the whole argument about seats being designed to recline is that the recline that is designed in is set for a seat pitch greater than the one being used. Most seats on long-haul flights have a 6 inch recline, which isn't much, I grant, but it's a pretty large chunk of 32" of pitch.

That's a good point. In American's "More Room Throughout Coach" configurations (which American is now eliminating) and United's Economy Plus -- both of which provide better seat pitch -- it's possible to maintain a better working position than in other seating configurations with an awful 31-32" seat pitch.

 

[TDC Nala]

I can use my laptop although a reclining seat bangs into the top of it.

I only protest when they play with the seat. If you're going to recline, don't keep putting the seat back up and then reclining it again.

I never recline my own seat.

 

[hellow]

I am only 5'11" and my husband is 6'3", yet I have less room when we sit in coach. His height is in his torso, mine is in my legs. I DREAD flying mainly because it never fails I get slammed in the knees at least once each trip (and it HURTS!) If you have to recline PLEASE go slowly!!!!!!!

The story about the lady slamming her seat back over & over reminds me of a near altercation I had with a woman on a 30 minute trip between islands in Hawaii. She demanded she recline her seat (pushing my kneecaps into my hips). If I am able to, I will turn sideways to allow them their "right" to recline. But in this case the plane was PACKED and the only choice I had was to turn my legs into the aisle (and trip the FA) I asked if she would not recline since it was such a short trip and she went on and on about how she wanted to recline and sleep. If she had any medical condition that required her to recline, she didn't offer it. She just ranted about how she wanted to recline her seat to sleep (on a 30 minute flight???).

If we are flying, we are all in misery, so please choose your battles!

 

[kylara]

I don't think it is rude to recline but I agree that it should be done slowly. Having dated a man who was 6'7", I know that it can be uncomfortable for tall people but his way of looking at it was it wasn't their fault he was tall. He also usually tried to get exit rows for the extra leg room.

Some people have to recline. My stepdad has a bad back and he can NOT sit upright in those chairs. And while I am sure he doesn't mind telling people he needs to recline if they complain, he shouldn't have to give out his medical condition as a reason...no one should. Yes I am sure some people do it just for their own comfort, but please keep in mind some do it for medical reasons and they shouldn't have to explain it to anyone.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

We pay for the right to occupy a seat on an aircraft, but anything beyond occupation (including reclination) is at the mercy of the seatgods. Will your seat be fully functional.. Will you have an exit aisle seat (many airlines we fly only offer this to frequent flyer program members)... will you have a really tall person in the seat in front of you who needs to recline in order to use their own tray table... will you have the yapper from heck in the next seat... The variables are endless.

Be kind when you feel the need to recline. Remember that your movement can and often DOES affect the person behind you. If you need access to your items stowed below the seat, pretend you are asking for a free upgrade to concierge and politely ask the person if they might assist you for a few moments so you can retrieve a few things. When you are finished, thank the person and comment that you wish airlines made each seating space larger and you're sorry you had to bother him/her in order to access your things. They will probably recline again, but I can speak from experience and tell you they NEVER recline it as far as it was. (Note: This only works if you aren't remarkably overweight. Otherwise you might hear a snicker or a giggle)

Thank you for flying AirDis. We hope you enjoyed your flight!

 

[Jen D]

I almost never recline if there is someone behind me. I just feel it is not considerate. The one time I think it is sort of acceptable is during times when everyone is reclined and sleeping-- most flights that are red-eyes turn off the lights and about 4/5ths of the people recline and sleep, or any flight after about 10:30pm. But when everyone is up, working, eating, using the tray tables, etc. I just think reclining is not considerate.

I never complain if I get a recliner in front of me though. I realize not everyone feels the same way I do about this and there doesn't seem to be an etiquette consensus on this issue.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think it matters on the length of the flight. On a long flight, it should be expected that people will recline. On Shorter flights, I never recline, andI consider it a little rude to recline - but again, it depends a little on who is behind you.

I think it is rude for people to have their junk or their fat hanging into my space. Sorry, but that bothers me. If you can't fit in the seat space, for whatever reason, you should have to buy two seats, IMHO.

On an overnight flight, I once had a woman who rummaged through her purse thus moving the back of my seat) all night long! And she carried on a loud conversation with four other people in her row - now THAT was rude! Especially because everyone else was trying to sleep, and their conversation was REALLY exceptionally dumb and trivial. I turned around several times hoping that she would get the hint, but to no avail. Finally, someone else yelled at one of her friends, but they still didn't get it.