Is it feasible for a Big & Tall man to fly coach?

[asta]

I am having a hard time picturing the issue with short people and the headrest being alleviated be reclining. If the headrest pushes your head forward, wouldn't it also push it forward with just your body at a different angle?

As far as the poster who wants to know about which airlines have rows so close as to make this a problem, I think that this is a problem on almost all airlines. The real question should probably be which type of plane since most airlines have many different models of planes in their fleets.

None of this changes the need for you to ASK before reclining. This would make it work better for everyone.

 

[tlbwriter]

Does the last row recline? If so, couldn't those of you who must recline for medical reasons reserve the last row? How is that any different from suggesting that people with long legs reserve the bulkhead?

 

[asta]

Why is the comfort of the person sitting behind the recliner more important than the recliner?

I've sat behind recliners. Not once have I felt like they were in my lap, been unable to use me tray, or inconvenienced in anyway. Heck, I was even able to get up to go potty.

Whatever airline that has those extreme reclining seat I want to fly.

Just because this isn't a problem for you does not mean that others are OK with this. And why is the recliners comfort more important than the comfort of the one sitting behind them? Once again, you need to ask before reclining. Being polite and considerate is always the right thing to do and really isn't that hard.

 

[mefordis]

The last row doesn't recline, so if you are in the last row and the row in front of you reclines, you cannot recline for more space, but your space has just been minimized.

Flying can be difficult because you are forced to be in a confined area with strangers for a period of time. Let's just all try to get along and pray we get there safely.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Does the last row recline? If so, couldn't those of you who must recline for medical reasons reserve the last row? How is that any different from suggesting that people with long legs reserve the bulkhead?

Well, I'd argue that the airlines allow for people to recline, because they have designed the seats to do so. It therefore seems reasonable that those who would rather that the seat before them not recline, that they choose a seat where it's not possible.

The flights I take regularly are from Santiago, Chile to Toronto - 11+ hours, and Toronto to Vancouver (4-5 hours). The long flight is overnight, leaving at around 9pm. Everyone reclines. Can you imagine flying overnight (from 9pm to 9am) in a seat that you can't recline, when the person in front of you has leaned back? And you really think that I'd be the one being unreasonable by being annoyed by this? Sure, for a 3 hour or less flight, it wouldn't be a big deal. For anything longer, please be mindful of those around you.

 

[NikitaZee]

The last row doesn't recline, so if you are in the last row and the row in front of you reclines, you cannot recline for more space, but your space has just been minimized.

Flying can be difficult because you are forced to be in a confined area with strangers for a period of time. Let's just all try to get along and pray we get there safely.

I was in the very last row, 7 months pregnant, and the person in front of me reclined. I asked if she wouldn't mind sitting upright due to my condition but she declined. I didn't ask again, as I realized she had the right to recline, even though it would have been more 'neighborly' of her not to in this circumstance. Luckily for me, the flight attendant realized my predicament and bumped my husband and I to first class. Had a great flight after that!

 

[asta]

Can you imagine flying overnight (from 9pm to 9am) in a seat that you can't recline, when the person in front of you has leaned back? .

Doesn't this just highlight that there is a problem with infringing on someones space when you recline? If everyone is ok with it, then fine. I still think there is a need to ask before reclining your seat.

 

[cluvsdisney]

It's a shame I'm not sitting in front of you all, I absolutely NEVER recline my seat. I think it's uncomfortable!

I am the same way. I don't think it's comfortable either plus I do not like it when the person in front of me reclines so I don't do it to other people.

The rows are very close together. If you are six & half feet tall, you do see the top of the head of the person in front of you if they are fully reclined. My DH has to fold himself in half to get in & out of his seat if the person in front him reclines all the way. Using the tray is out of the question. He usually just puts his stuff on my tray.

When I fly alone, I don't bother getting a seat with extra leg room since I am only 5'3" and I was shocked at how little room I had. If my legs can almost touch the seat in front of me, I don't know how someone closer to 6' tall can sit there comfortably. The person in front of me pushed their seat all the way back and I couldn't even see the top part of my book when it was resting on the tray. I wrote the airline to let them know how uncomfortable it was to fly their plane.

Overall, there is really nothing pleasent about flying coach. We are all trying to get to where we want to go in a small shared space and it's impossible to find a compromise that's comfortable for everyone.

 

[MELSMICE]

I am having a hard time picturing the issue with short people and the headrest being alleviated be reclining. If the headrest pushes your head forward, wouldn't it also push it forward with just your body at a different angle?

As far as the poster who wants to know about which airlines have rows so close as to make this a problem, I think that this is a problem on almost all airlines. The real question should probably be which type of plane since most airlines have many different models of planes in their fleets.

None of this changes the need for you to ASK before reclining. This would make it work better for everyone.

When you recline your seat & you lay back it's like a pillow. If you don't recline the seat the "pillow" is protruding in to your head, however, it's certainly not a soft pillow that you can squish your head in to.

If you just recline the seat a bit & not your actual body, then you are sitting upright & the pillow protrusion is not pushing in to the back of your head.

I usually read when on a flight, so I don't necessarily lay back when I recline the seat. I usually recline the seat to get that pillow protrusion out of my way.

Does the last row recline? If so, couldn't those of you who must recline for medical reasons reserve the last row? How is that any different from suggesting that people with long legs reserve the bulkhead?

The last seat does not recline. The seats in front of the exit row do not recline.

If I felt like I was so infringed upon by someone reclining I would pay extra to choose my seats so I could get the bulkhead or the actual exit row because there is no one in front of me that can recline.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Doesn't this just highlight that there is a problem with infringing on someones space when you recline? If everyone is ok with it, then fine. I still think there is a need to ask before reclining your seat.

Then you need to ask the airline to change policies and redesign their seats. Every time I've flown a long-haul night flight, the expectation is that everyone reclines their seat. That's just the way it is. As uncomfortable as it is trying to sleep in airplane seats, it is that much worse in seats that aren't even minimally reclined. If you have a problem with the seat in front of you reclining, you are free to book an exit row seat (only $50 extra each way on Air Canada).

 

[DizBelle]

I am having a hard time picturing the issue with short people and the headrest being alleviated be reclining. If the headrest pushes your head forward, wouldn't it also push it forward with just your body at a different angle?

But gravity would be pulling in a different direction relative to your body.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Does the last row recline? If so, couldn't those of you who must recline for medical reasons reserve the last row? How is that any different from suggesting that people with long legs reserve the bulkhead?

BEcause people who want or need to recline don't have to. Because most seats on the plane recline.

It seems that those who are bothered by this feature should request the airlines to NOT offer it, or make a recline free row (bulkhead?). Your issue should be with the airline and not your fellow passenger if that 1 inch shift in the chair ruins your experience.

The request is ridiculous to expect people to not use what is available to them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am having a hard time picturing the issue with short people and the headrest being alleviated be reclining. If the headrest pushes your head forward, wouldn't it also push it forward with just your body at a different angle?

As far as the poster who wants to know about which airlines have rows so close as to make this a problem, I think that this is a problem on almost all airlines. The real question should probably be which type of plane since most airlines have many different models of planes in their fleets.

None of this changes the need for you to ASK before reclining. This would make it work better for everyone.

Geometry and Gravity is what makes a slight angle an improvement.


I have been on several airlines, I have yet to see how 1 inch of movement of the chair causes someone's head to be in your lap.


To ask your permission, I'd have to stand up. But the F/A and pilot have already provided me the permission. There is no NEED. He logistics make it particularly difficult if not impossible, especially for middle and window seat passengers.

Clearly I won't change your mind and you will not change mine.

One thing remains, if the feature is that bothersome and people are quite literally in your lap (something I have yet to witness) it sounds like it is time to complain to the airlines since I wouldn't ever want to fly with someone leaning into my lap. Sounds like the seat is broken and quite unsuitable for safety reasons.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Doesn't this just highlight that there is a problem with infringing on someones space when you recline? If everyone is ok with it, then fine. I still think there is a need to ask before reclining your seat.

Except that the passenger's space includes the recline range if they feel the desire or need to use it.

 

[asta]

Then you need to ask the airline to change policies and redesign their seats. Every time I've flown a long-haul night flight, the expectation is that everyone reclines their seat. That's just the way it is. As uncomfortable as it is trying to sleep in airplane seats, it is that much worse in seats that aren't even minimally reclined. If you have a problem with the seat in front of you reclining, you are free to book an exit row seat (only $50 extra each way on Air Canada).

I am in agreement with you on this one. We do need to ask the airlines to redesign their seats. The rows on most planes are too close together to allow anyone to recline without infringing on the space of someone behind them. The reclining feature should have been eliminated when rows were installed close together. But in reality I don't think the airlines would listen. They are much more interested in getting more money from tighter seating than they are in making us comfortable. That is where being polite and considerate of others becomes more important. That seems to be the only way to make this work.

And as to the person who refused to raise their seat for the pregnant woman! That is unbelievable. Based on stories like that and the attitudes from some of the posters in this thread, I think the answer to the original poster's question has been given. Unless the gentleman in question is seated near someone considerate then it will be hard for a tall person to fly coach. I would definitely advise him to fly in an aisle seat. My husband is 6'1" and even he has to use the aisle to have room for his legs. The rows are just too close together.

That and hope that you don't end up behind someone who thinks they have the "right" to recline into your lap.

 

[wvjules]

I am in agreement with you on this one. We do need to ask the airlines to redesign their seats. The rows on most planes are too close together to allow anyone to recline without infringing on the space of someone behind them. The reclining feature should have been eliminated when rows were installed close together. But in reality I don't think the airlines would listen. They are much more interested in getting more money from tighter seating than they are in making us comfortable. That is where being polite and considerate of others becomes more important. That seems to be the only way to make this work.

And as to the person who refused to raise their seat for the pregnant woman! That is unbelievable. Based on stories like that and the attitudes from some of the posters in this thread, I think the answer to the original poster's question has been given. Unless the gentleman in question is seated near someone considerate then it will be hard for a tall person to fly coach. I would definitely advise him to fly in an aisle seat. My husband is 6'1" and even he has to use the aisle to have room for his legs. The rows are just too close together.

That and hope that you don't end up behind someone who thinks they have the "right" to recline into your lap.

Why is "right" in quotes?

 

[asta]

Geometry and Gravity is what makes a slight angle an improvement.


I have been on several airlines, I have yet to see how 1 inch of movement of the chair causes someone's head to be in your lap.


To ask your permission, I'd have to stand up. But the F/A and pilot have already provided me the permission. There is no NEED. He logistics make it particularly difficult if not impossible, especially for middle and window seat passengers.

Clearly I won't change your mind and you will not change mine.

One thing remains, if the feature is that bothersome and people are quite literally in your lap (something I have yet to witness) it sounds like it is time to complain to the airlines since I wouldn't ever want to fly with someone leaning into my lap. Sounds like the seat is broken and quite unsuitable for safety reasons.

I can only hope that I never have to fly in a seat behind you on a plane. The seats are not broken, they are just too close to allow this to take place and keep everyone comfortable. If you have never asked the person behind you, how are you sure that they would prefer you to not lower your seat?

Your arguments do nothing to change my opinion of anyone who would insist on doing this on a crowded plane.

 

[asta]

Why is "right" in quotes?

I used quotes to highlight the area of disagreement. While some people seem to think that this something they are entitled to others see this as rude and intrusive.

As I said earlier, based on some of the responses here I think the answer to the original question is that you can't assume that a tall man can fly coach.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I can only hope that I never have to fly in a seat behind you on a plane. The seats are not broken, they are just too close to allow this to take place and keep everyone comfortable. If you have never asked the person behind you, how are you sure that they would prefer you to not lower your seat?

Your arguments do nothing to change my opinion of anyone who would insist on doing this on a crowded plane.

Wow!

As far as not asking--it is for the simple matter that I am within my rights to not have to.

Now if someone had an issue b/c their body is now unavoidably touching my seat, I will make an adjustment and have done so. But the airline designed the seats and you must take it up with them.

And I have flown at all stages in pregnancy. I would never have my seat touch the pregnant woman's belly. I have, however, flown just fine in the final trimester for 2 trips with the passenger in front of me reclined. So it truly depends on the passenger, their girth and what does or does not work. ETA: I have had trouble lowering my tray. In those cases, the fellow passenger was able to help me by sharing their tray or if I traveled with my children, I used their tray. I had 3 RT's last year between 6 and 8 months of pregnancy on 2 different airlines. Not once with my belly did I feel the person was resting in my lap.

It isn't the abomination that you paint it out to be and your claims appear to be exaggerations of what actually takes place on the plane.

It is invasive b/c you choose for it to be. I would never require the passenger in front of me to NOT recline 1 inch out of some false pretense that they are invading "my space".

Since you will always say NO--I would have to ask what makes you think you have the right to tell passengers they can't recline.

You assertion that I "insist", is also an exaggeration. I do not "insist" anything. I am not trying to change your mind. I just disagree with you and so would any airline until they decide to make the seating area larger.

 

[deegack]

To the poster above this post: They are fine with it because they have to be. There options are to accept it even if they don't like it, and tell you it's fine, OR, appear rude to you. Very often, a majority of people don't want to be rude and will put up with things that inconvenience them just to avoid being rude. That doesn't mean they appreciate being cramped in their seat or being asked to change seats (even if you're asking so that they can have the better seat).

I'm sorry you are seriously saying that someone would prefer a middle seat to a window seat on a plane? That just does not make sense. The middle seats are the last to go because no one likes them. If someone really really want their middle seat, I have no problem keeping my window seat. How are they more cramped in a window seat than a middle seat. You are not making any sense.