A Delta Air Lines passenger reclined her seat, and the woman behind her – she says – began pushing her seat back throughout the rest of the flight. In response, she didn’t ask for help from a flight attendant. Instead she… began yelling at the woman behind her. And another passenger caught it on video.
The passengers behind the woman denied pushing her seat and that just drove the her to the brink, publicly defending her right to recline. It was the end of the flight though, so the battle went on silently until she just couldn’t take it anymore.
Seat recline is important for passengers on long flights with poorly-padded seats. Recline works to distribute passenger weight and reduce back stress. This passenger looks fairly slight. But reclining is also a basic right when it’s a feature of your seat (certain airlines like Spirit and Frontier feature seats they call “pre-reclined” i.e. that do not recline).
- A passenger controls their own seat
- Airlines ban the Knee Defender device, which prevents recline – a device was designed to stop reclining. While their interest is prevent damage to the seat, they do not allow the passenger seated behind to interfere with the recline function
There is an etiquette to exercising your right to recline, though. Don’t recline during mealtime. Try not to recline unless it serves a real purpose (if it doesn’t actually benefit your comfort, don’t recline).
If you don’t want the passenger in front of you to recline, politely ask them not to. And if they want to recline and you don’t want them to, consider whether it’s worth your while to make not reclining worth their while.
(HT: Live and Let’s Fly)
I am a frequent flyer. I paid for that seat best believe if I have the option to recline I’m going to recline to make myself comfortable. If the person behind me has an issue then they should pay extra for the leg room. I had one lady tell me not to recline for the whole 12 hour flight ofcourse I didn’t listen she made a complaint to the flight attendant of course the attendant sided with me is ridiculous.
Rease recently I took a flight to Dubai. I was in the middle seat. The person in front of me reclined their seat during dinner time while I was trying to eat now that is showing no courtesy at all. The person next to me asked them to please that their seat up. I blame the greedy airline companies who need to take out every middle row seat in their airplanes so that people can have some type of comfort and every second row seat. Especially when traveling a long distance.
If you’re abnormally tall, then book your flight early and get an emergency exit seat. I know they cost more, which is BS because all economy seats should cost the same. I remember the good ol’ days of 2010 when you could buy an economy seat then show up at the airport early and request an emergency exit seat and they would give you one of they could and it didn’t cost a penny more, but those days are gone. Yeah, it sucks, but it is what it is.
Besides, I’m sick of hearing tall men complain about this. Being a tall man gives you advantages in every aspect of life other than airline travel. Why can’t you just let people who are not of above average height have this?
We just flew Delta and the seats are so close together it’s clostrophobic even without inclined. They need to pull 2 rows and make it comfortable for everyone instead of squeezing more into coach.
Airlines are becoming the worst service ever! Is rally shameful
I am 5.11 and I need to pay always for extra leg room other wise is imposible to seat in an economy seat and of course it becomes worst if the person in front recline the seat. We all need to recline and deserve a better service
I am 6’7″ and I have no option when it comes to a person in front of trying to recline seat. There’s no other place to put my legs, so SUFFER they will .. IF I am not comfortable , so shall others. Don’t like it .. then drive!!
Technically, *both* seats have purchased that shared space — the airlines know that and hope the passengers can just work it out. It’s inherently a no-win situation.
However, there’s a basic rule of thumb: When everyone is sleeping at night, it’s more acceptable to recline (but check your surroundings). Not so during the day.
Never.
Never attempt to resolve these issues without contacting an FA to correct the errant behavior.
Airlines do this to us.
I am a wheelchair user with spinal cord issues and while flying home to the States from Turkey last month, I went to recline my seat only to be told by the 350 lbs passenger behind me that if I kept my seat reclined, I was “the most selfish person ever.” I attempted to explain my disability to which she further shamed my desire to recline my seat for my back health and completely dismissed my disability. She was one of the most evil and vile humans I have ever come in contact with. Her hurtful words had me not only in tears, but on the verge of a full blown panic attack. Thankfully EVERYONE else on the flight saw how truly awful she was. Because it was too difficult for me to change seats, and I was told I would be just as horrible of a person to “do it to someone else”, I was forced to endure 9.5 hours sitting in front of her. However, her disgusting behavior and words spread quickly through the cabin. Other passengers asked the flight attendants if they could switch to open seats so that the seat occupied next to me could then be freed up. I was blown away by the kindness of these strangers to find a way for my needs to be met without having to “selfishly recline” my seat. The flight attendants also continued to check on me throughout the flight and bring extra goodies from first class. Doubt that such a self-centered person even noticed, but she truly was a disgusting human.
Lol at this guy Rich above me just a typical tall d*ickhead. How are you going to fly when it’s an overseas flight? We’re not talking short flights in the same country. I’d cut your legs off if you kept pushing them into my reclined seat the whole trip. Enjoy your life a lot shorter after that and then you won’t have the same issues 🙂
You people are nuts. I can’t stand flying. Enjoy.
On most flights, my knees touch the seat in front of me even before a seat is reclined. If a seat gets reclined, it becomes extremely uncomfortable. Why should I have to pay extra to move just because someone wants to recline their chair. Passengers argue amongst themselves but really, its the airlines that are the problem because all the rows are so close together.
“If you don’t want the passenger in front of you to recline, politely ask them not to.” You’re defending the right of people to recline and say something stupid like this?? If someone reclines, then you don’t have a right to complain according to the rest of this article.
Hey Rich. Take your own advice and drive. The rest of us shorter humans will recline until the airlines create decent size seats and space.
I flew a non stop Delta flight 6 days ago and my seat would not stay reclined… so my back is still hurting me. This is the 3rd Delta flight in 9 months that this has happened. It’s like Delta doesn’t want to fix any seats that break down.
I never recline my seat when people are eating but after service I will let the person behind me that I’m going to recline, if they say no or make a fuss, then I will wait until they have a drink in front of them ,and I will recline sharply, and they can have the results in their lap, and that will teach them a lesson, after all I was polite enough to let them know.
I am a 6’5″, working class man. You are reclining directly into my knees. You DO NOT have that right. Anyone expecting me to pay extra because I am tall is selfish and unrealistic. If you have to force your seat back in order to recline, you can’t recline. My legs have no where else to go.
Like it or not, we are all in this world together. We are all equal whether God created us to be 6’-4” or 5’-6” like me. Be mindful of how our actions affect the ones behind you. Your “right” to recline does not make it right.
Flying is mostly uncomfortable for all passengers, it gets worse if people are acting out.
Try to see the larger picture, we are all taking a miserable ride in a tuna can!!
If you enjoy being a miserable person inflicting strife on others then ride a train, you might run into someone who would toss you off on the tracks!
If I have purchased a reclining seat then I am going to recline. I’m small but I still don’t like sitting in the middle seat which is usually what I get if I don’t pay extra to choose an aisle seat. If you have extra needs to make yourself comfortable, then I suggest you pay the extra money. Please don’t make others give up their reclining rights because you are uncomfortable or, just suck it as I do if I get a middle seat. My philosophy is, it’s perhaps 2 to 6 hours of my life (and on a few occasions, 12 hours). I just do it.
I flew home on Hawaiian (has more room than most) the guy in front of me kept reclining as far back as he could and put in his hand over the top of the seat dropping down…. 2 times he bumped into my face, and about 10 time he rested his hands on my breast… every time I called the stewardess he had moved his hands so they did nothing. I finally got pissed and yelled at him to quit grabbing my tits you jackass (I was not quiet) point is to be considerate of the people behind you. Reclining if someone is larger person (height, weight etc) can make them very uncomfortable… be considerate don’t invade their space either. You have no clue how challenging it is for others to travel. I have been aggressively patted down because of my size, I have been humiliated by gate staff because of being overweight, other passengers can be outright cruel to others … normally I am traveling with family and my size only inconvenience is to them. I do my best to be a good passenger cooperative and aware of others … wish every could do that!!
Common courtesy and plane etiquette say never recline your seat. It gives you an inch and a quarter or back lean. Also middle seat gets the arm rests.
My motorcycle was designed to reach 185mph, doesn’t give me the “right” to exercise that feature whenever I want. But the capability is there should I find myself on a racetrack or drag strip one day.
We have no “right” to make the equally uncomfortable person behind us even less comfortable. If the seat behind us is empty though, then by all means can use the seat’s capability to recline.
If you are disabled you can’t sit in the emergency rows.
If you’re taller than 6′, people who recline their seats can injure you.
Don’t expect taller folks to be nice about it when you hurt us.
Not sure what planet several of you are from but some of the above analogies lack any logic
This is a commercial aircraft that has always allowed reclining seats and which has seats which are mechanically capable of reclining. Always been that way.
I will recline 90% of the time except for meals and if the FA instructs otherwise.
The passenger seated in front of me has every right to recline their seat and I could care a less if they leave it reclined while I am eating.
Most of you just need something…anything…to complain about in order to spread your unhappiness and dissatisfaction with your station in life to everyone else.
If you attempt to kick my seat or knee me then I will contact the FA, had to do that before.
If this is too emotionally difficult for you to deal with, then perhaps you would be better off (as would the rest of us recliners) if you chose to stay home in your safe space.
I someone who likes to rec l ine during flights. People who do recline also need to be aware of who is behind them for that person’s comfort too. Sometimes there is a really tall person behind and it could hurt them, or sometimes there could be mom with a child in back then and two which can make space tight. There also could be larger person who needs the room to. When reclining people should be aware of those things and if they can’t recline and need to talk to a flight attendant about switching seats prior to take off. Simple. Both people above were in the wrong.
When I fly I look for the cheapest most convenient option. Yes I would like to have a bed on the plane with a personal attendant to see to my every need but I can’t afford it. If the airlines give more room in economy I’d have to pay more, simple. I’d rather suck-it-up and be uncomfortable for a few hours and get where I’m going safely and cheaply. Airlines equip for the ‘average’ person. If you’re extra large, or extra tall, why should everyone else pay for your comfort. So pay for a better seat, or two seats together if you need, don’t expect the rest of us subsidise your travel needs. It may not be your fault that you’re larger than average, but it’s your responsibility, not everyone else’s.
I will recline my seat. I will be considerate about it.
If you don’t like it, buy a first class ticket.
Or Greyhound. Stop being an eh-hole.
Ignorance at it’s best.
I see a lot of people complaining about their knees touching the seat..etc. You can book a first class seat…an exit row seat…etc.
I am a DM on Delta…have flown every week this year except for 2 (did a Hawaii-home for week-Finland trip). I will recline my seat whenever I want…
I fly frequently from the states to Dubai and further I usually get a window seat I recline because a 12 hour to 15 hour flight is extremely uncomfortable, but I only recline after meals and when everyone sleeps, if your tall then try for an aisle seat or emergency window seat I always try to be courteous but on smaller flights I always get the person behind me who constantly pushes or knees me in the back and I’m not reclined. So be courteous of the person in front of you.
This is an airline company issue, not a personal one. Flying has become so unbelievably inconvenient and uncomfortable in every way, but also unavoidable. When you put 150 miserable people in miserable conditions the result will be misery. I do not get in one of those cattle cars unless I have to, then I take a Xanax and just wait for it to be over, like a dentist appointment. I guess the govt is getting it’s wish, keeping us home, alone, broke and complacent. Airlines are businesses and are going to make money however they can, that’s what the FAA is for, but….
Stacy C. Hate to break it to you, but you’re the idiot. Airlines control the configuration of their planes. If the big words go over you’re head, Delta picks how many seats go on their planes. They pick the distance between the rows. Did you think they buy airplanes off the shelf? Do you’re homework before insulting others.
I tell you my biggest issue is that people can pay the money and get an exit row seat on a flight. The problem I have is when there’s like an 80-year-old man or woman, yes they paid for the seat so they can get it. And they say they’re capable of opening the emergency exit window, but when I’m looking at them they can’t even figure out how to lower the table behind the seat and yet they’re going to get me out of an airplane in an emergency. I’m not putting my life in their hands I’ll go right past them and I’m just being honest. if you think I’m going to wait for them to open that exit row window ? That’s not happening. Then they’re more than welcome to go out first after I get it open. but seriously I’m putting my life in their hands? they need to change that policy now. It’s about dough $$.
The airline configures the inside of the plane. The manufacturer builds to their specs. The airline chose to make the space smaller. The airline can make them bigger. It’s very simple. Cut an inch here and there. Add more seats. Make more money.
Want more proof, look at the seats in front of the doors on the right side of the plane. Not emergency exits. Doors.
My knees hit the seat in front of me when the seat is upright. If you choose to recline into them, yeah they’re going to be digging into the back of your seat. Tough luck
My most likely scenario sending me to jail is embedding my laptop into a plane recliner’s head. These are some of the most selfish and rude people in the world. They generally plop back into your lap without notice and in general as fast as humanly possible as if doing it fast might make it go unnoticed. I am aware of this breaking laptops first hand. I had status for a long time so was able to sit in the bulkhead or emergency rows (sometimes business) without having to worry about it. Just know the person behind your lean is sometimes contemplating driving a laptop into your head and IMO your deserve that anger.
NEVER KICK SOMEONES SEAT!!! THIS ENTILTED IDIOT BEHIND HER THINKS THAT THEY OWN THE PLANE!
TommyBoy says “This is a commercial aircraft that has always allowed reclining seats and which has seats which are mechanically capable of reclining. Always been that way.”
True, but other things changed: Aisles are closer together and seats are smaller than in the past. Planes are consistently full (no empty seat behind you unlike good old days). And people are larger today. All reasons to NOT recline. Times change, and it’s time to adapt and not recline.
.
To the Tall arrogant men who use their height to dominate and intimidate other passengers. Shame on you. If you can afford to fly? Book business class, more room and your massive ego can be left alone. Its awful these men feel they need special consideration from the rest of us, because they are tall. You must be gems to live with and be around. Unreal. Not enough that your a male, now you need to shove your height into the equation. Self examination is long over due to these men.
Too many entitled people. Recliner those seats. There’s no way I’m sitting upright for a 10 hour flight. That’s just stupid and if I decided to sleep the whole flight reclined then so be it. The airlines are packing too many seats in, not everyone is 5ft tall. If your talk book extra leg room it’s not that hard and stops you being the dickhead on the flight with your legs rammed into the back of someone’s chair.
Jeff Smith. So.. because you need to use your laptop, others need to respect your decision to work on board and I cannot recline my seat? Seriously? Unreal. You need to relax and enjoy flight. Maybe revisit your priorities and time management skills.
Yes you have the right to recline, but Cmon Karen, situation doesn’t deserve all that noise and hustle!!
I can guarantee you 99% of the people on here complaining and feeling entitled are white. GUARANTEED. I fly international fights to Japan… ZERO complaining and whining. Whiteys need to learn to shut your mouths!!
I have my own health issues that I make it very uncomfortable for me to be upright for prolonged periods as it were, the minute the gear goes up, my seat goes back and any commentary from the peanut gallery behind will be met with equally viciously crafted replies from this Brooklyn born fella.
If you complain about those reclining in front of you, you better not recline your seat either.
I control the a/c nozzle over my seat and when they recline…I turn it on full blast and straight toward them. They will get sick of the air on their head.