Wednesday, December 15, 2010

When, if ever, is it acceptable to recline an airplane seatback?

12 comments:

carolina said...

Always acceptable! Then the person behind you can just recline too. I am a 100% recliner.

David said...

only if there is NO ONE behind you. I am a tall guy and it is a issue for me and my knees.

Jonathan Adler said...

As soon you hit 10,000 ft.

Beth said...

so, I have long legs and I HATE IT when people recline their seat. I never recline because I think it's rude the the person behind me (and the people in the back row can't recline anyway, so the string of reclining would need to stop somewhere) so I always end up with less space and resentful of the person in front of me.

Now, if we've got a flight at a crazy time or something and you really need to sleep, that is a little better. but if you're just reading, no. super rude.

(this is especially directed at the dude on my flight to Minneapolis who had his seat back the whole freaking time just to read. He didn't put up his seat to go to the bathroom, so when he came back and was struggling to get in his seat he slammed it into my knees prompting a 100% genuine "ouch!" from me.

Matt Roberts said...

I like to sneakily recline during takeoff - then it is the least noticeable compared to the g-force and when the plane settles and starts cruising, the person behind you is like 'hey, wait a minute..." but remains perplexed in the face of my new found comfort.

Andrew said...

I recline on long flights or if the person behind me looks obnoxious or Republican

rob said...

ALWAYS

I agree with Carolina. If everyone reclined, we would all have more space.

Also, if you're over 6' tall, chances are your headrest hits you at about shoulder height, making it impossible to rest your head without reclining.

Hailey Snow said...

All day, every day. And if you have legs longer than the jolly green giant, like me, just ask for an E row seat! Its golden!

Mike said...

Continental makes you pay 60 bucks (or something) for the emergency row seats now. This was the greatest hidden perk of flying and they've taken it away.

I say you always have the right to recline. I almost never do. Does reclining make you that much more comfortable? Not me.

I may not agree with your reclining but I will fight to the death for your right to do so.

Carlos Slim HelĂș said...

Always exceptable, especially on my planes.

Dan said...

Acceptable when there's an empty seat or small child sitting behind you, or if you're lucky enough to be in first class or a plane with decent leg room (Frontier airlines is good about that).

evan said...

Always!! As someone who takes a lot of long flights always recline. That is what you're paying for! The person behind you can recline and if you're super tall-get a better job so you can pay for business class for your lanky legs.