Are You Inclined To Recline Your Airline Seat?

March 2, 2010 at 9:44 AM | by kjb | Comments (13)

We�ve all been there, and unfortunately it�s just part of the whole traveling experience�the reclining airline seat. Some seats recline more than others, and a lot of it depends on your choice of carrier and where you�re headed. Overseas travel might bring a necessity to recline or even an invitation to do so, especially if you aren�t in coach forced into relaxation thanks to prescription medication.

Thankfully, Cathay Pacific has hard shelled seats in their economy section, and this helps the person in front of you from getting into your personal space. For those that think reclining is a must, this probably is the airline for you. Unfortunately they aren�t really the ideal domestic carrier, so you better start planning that trip to Asia.

Shuttling around the US is a little more difficult, as there aren�t really any airlines that take the discomfort out of the reclining airline seat. Weber Aircraft sells seats to American Airlines and Delta, but we haven�t seen their fancy �high pivot point recline system� during our travels. The unique design makes the bottom of the seat move forward to give the illusion of a little more recline.

If you just can�t stand the headrest getting even closer to your face, you can always take matters into your own hands. Products like the Knee Defender are plastic pieces that prevent the seat in front of you from making its move. We have not used these, but we can�t recommend them as this is an in-flight fight just waiting to happen.

Our advice is to at least provide a little warning to the passenger behind you if you have to lean back. We�ve had close calls with our laptop as the seat has abruptly crashed onto its screen. Slow and steady is the ideal way to recline, and maybe even turn around so the person behind you realizes a seat is about to come even closer to their face. Think of it like using a turn signal before changing lanes on the highway.

So let us know how you feel about the whole situation. Do you pity the person behind you and sit at attention throughout the flight, or do you just need those few inches of additional space? Start the conversation, and let us know how you really feel in the comments below.

Related Stories:
· New Economy Class [Cathay Pacific]
· Weber Aircraft [Official Site]
· Knee Defender [Official Site]
· In-Flight Comfort coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: eye2eye]

Comments (13)

Return to » Are You Inclined To Recline Your Airline Seat?

I think the knee defender product is unfair. If you paid for your spot on the plane, you should be able to use your seat and not be affected by others who "need their space." If you don't want your knees crushed, see if you can get a front row in the class, or go business on long-haul routes. I don't recline typically, but I like to have the option!

I know it sounds lame, but I always get pissed when the person in front of me reclines.

I don't know why but I think reclining is for suckers, at least on domestic. In fact, I usually only recline bc the person in front of me has. (I actually sleep better sitting straight up. It's some sort of hold over from bus traveling thru Italy and train commuting.)

but i agree with jetsetcd, those knee-protectors are unfair. we pay for those seats so if it has a recline option, we are entitled to use it. (even if it means me secretly judging this person's character.)

If no one reclined then I think everyone would be happier. But once the person in front of me reclines I pretty much have to, just so I can kind of peek up and under my laptop screen. But yeah - knee protectors are absurd. It's a flavor of the debate we always have about passengers of size: on one hand, yeah people need their space. On the other hand, everyone paid for the same product. What makes the passengers of size arguments difficult is that the stakes are whether certain people *can* fly. With reclining thing is just a comfort issue, and if everyone paid for the same product then everyone gets to do the same thing. If you can recline, the person in front of you gets to recline.

Sometimes, on long flights, I recline out of sheer boredom. Probably unfair because I haven't reclined the entire flight, then 4 hours in I recline. Usually though, I reactionary recline as well. If the person in front of me reclines so do I, if not, ne pas recline.

It's like airplane dominos! If someone in a row reclines, it could spread throughout the whole plane behind them. Hmm...interesting. I like the idea of this power...must now sit up front more often.

i never recline on a shorthaul flight unless the person in front does because then my legs don't fit. on a longhaul i do recline an inch or two to sleep. in general though, i hate recliners. hence ryanair is actually my fave airline to fly in europe. and air asia longhaul was also good - their seats didn't recline so there were no issues.

As a long-legged fellow who often flies on a budget, I'm usually stuck with little to no leg room and having one of my co-passengers recline in front of me simply exacerbates the situation. I usually don't recline, on account of how being reclined upon drives me up the wall. I don't wish the same fate upon any fellow airline customer. Two words: Exit row. It's a lifesaver.

I usually am courteous to the fellow travelers regarding reclining. Sitting straight up is uncomfortable for awhile, so I recline slightly, just to a midpoint of the reclining ability. I do not wish to have a confrontation with any passengers.

I don't recline on domestic flights, but almost always end up doing it on long-haul (14 hours LAX-SYD). Partly for my own comfort, but mostly for the same reasons everyone else is mentioning--that if the person in front of you does it, you're forced to follow suit to be comfortable.

Well, hopefully I have not! At least not until now! Anyway I remember my friend expressing his experience about how it felt to travel in a reclining site. He said that it was one among the most horrendous journeys of his lifetime. I think the issue is because many people settle with cheaper airway traveling and hence they are left out with no other choice other than to be in such a strangling position.I would advise you all should keep your travel insurance valid so that any mishaps dosent effect you and your family financially.Furthermore, I have heard that there is serious health issues occurring with seats like this as well!

Seat reclining while air travel is one of the problems faced by many travelers. Many airline services do not have enough seat space due to which reclining becomes very difficult for passengers and makes them uncomfortable during the whole journey. Payday Advance Loans

I am impressed by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good resources here.
I am sure I will visit this place again soon.

<a href="http://hlcgroup.net/">Mortgage Rates</a>

I am impressed <a href="http://hlcgroup.net">Mortgage Rates</a> by the quality of information on this website. There are a lot of good resources here.
I am sure <a href="http://hlcgroup.net">Mortgage Louisville KY</a> I will visit this place again soon.

Jaunted

Select a Destination:

In-Flight Comfort / Airplanes / Airplane Seats / Seating / Seats / Open Threads / → All Tags