Reclining seat on a flight

[Sundown]

Few months ago I was on a 7 hours flight (night flight) and few minutes after take off my wife reclined her seat. Behind us, the whole row was occupied by an American family of 3.

 

The woman asked us if we could not recline and we answered her that we will do it during the meals but not at all times. She went crazy, started insulting and called the hostess, who of course told her that we have all the right to recline our seats. At this point the man (probably 150kg) sat behind my wife and started shaking violently her seat until we had to ask help from the crew.

 

The whole thing ended because they were told that next time the captain would be involved but during all flight I had their kid behind kicking my seat (probably instructed from his terrible ineducated and ignorant parents).

 

In 20 years of flight it was the first time that this happened to me but I recall seeing the same exact thing on a flight and again it was an American involved.

 

So my question is, is in the USA less acceptable to recline seats than everywhere else in the world?

 

[richard_smith237]

Completely unacceptable behavior on their part. The family [husband and wife] clearly have issues.

 

Reclining your seat (carefully) outside of meal times is perfectly reasonable.

A person asking the person in the seat in front of them not to recline the seat (outside of mealtimes) is being unreasonable.

 

Some people are just completely unreasonable, I don't think this is specific to citizens from the USA, that said, citizens of the USA do seem to have an inflated view of their rights - just look at all those 'cop baiting' videos.

 

 

[sungod]

16 minutes ago, Sundown said:

At this point the man (probably 150kg) sat behind my wife and started shaking violently her seat until we had to ask help from the crew.

Fat bloke should have gone business class if he couldn't get his gut in the seat.

[2 is 1]

You answear was not! She want something and not get it! Many female have that attitude! More if be whit 150 kg man! Think her when man first take piece of sugar to find hes "richard" then woman goin under him!!! Maybe you get mad also!

[impulse]

You may have been perfectly within your rights to recline the seat, but the airlines have made that pretty miserable for the people behind you over the last 20 years.  Seat pitches have gotten ridiculous, to the point that anyone taller than average is going to have their knees driven into the seat in front even when it's not reclined.

 

Before I started traveling international, I never even thought before reclining my seat.  So in my experience, Americans are no worse than the typical western traveler in demanding rights that they don't have. 

 

Of course, the family behind could have ponied up a few hundred extra $$$ for economy plus seating, where there's a few more inches of legroom.  Or business class where they could spend an additional $100 per hour to sit in a marginally more comfortable seat with slightly better (but still airline quality) meals.

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, 2 is 1 said:

You answear was not! She want something and not get it! Many female have that attitude! More if be whit 150 kg man! Think her when man first take piece of sugar to find hes "richard" then woman goin under him!!! Maybe you get mad also!

 

People can buy alcohol in Thailand again then ?? !!!!!  

[ChristianBlessing]

50 minutes ago, impulse said:

You may have been perfectly within your rights to recline the seat, but the airlines have made that pretty miserable for the people behind you over the last 20 years.  Seat pitches have gotten ridiculous, to the point that anyone taller than average is going to have their knees driven into the seat in front even when it's not reclined.

 

 

At 190 cm I too have more difficulty flying economy on most airlines. The airlines, to maximize profits, have reduced seat pitch from 10-12 cm over the past decade or so, and seat width by up to 30 cm. Sadly, unlike many of my age peers, I've not lost any height, although the same can't be said of my width.

 

I always ask the person behind me if I may recline my seat once the seat belt light is out; that courtesy alone does wonders. It allows the other passenger to "rearrange" themselves and more often than not they oblige. When asked in advance, it also allows the other passenger to object and explain why they would prefer that I not recline.

 

I am an American, I have traveled extensively on international flights, and I've not noticed any one nationality being more or less troublesome. I have noticed however that nearly everyone agrees that the airlines have done their damndest to make flying an uncomfortable experience for all passengers.

[Sujo]

I dont ask, why give them the option to say no, but i look to make sure its clear before reclining, then do it gently. But i only recline if flight is about 2 hours or more.

[anon7854]

Classic Americans. Butthurt , insecure and thinking the entire world trumbles when they hear "but we're American citizens". 

 

I really don't understand what the heck is this "reclining seat" theory all about. It's a feature most airplanes have , you can use it. Period. The lack of space for the ones behind you is not your problem and can be easily resolved if they do the same. If they don't tough luck. I never heard anyone behind me ever complaining about that. 

Edited May 22, 2020 by anon7854

[ukrules]

This is very much an American phenomenon.

[richard_smith237]

Just now, ukrules said:

This is very much an American phenomenon.

I'm not sure it is an American phenomenon, however, when considering this subject I'm reminded of the occasions Americans have been somewhat of an irritation while traveling.

 

Further Anecdote as confirmation bias: My parents traveling to Thailand, they boarded the second leg of their journey in Dubai - Someone was sat in their bulkhead seat (with extra leg room) and wouldn't move. The flight attendants ended up moving the guy to his allocated seat. He voiced significant annoyance and continued to do so throughout the flight - He was from the USA.

 

In the interests of balance it must be stated that d!<kheads come from any nation !!! I don't believe people from the USA are any worse than anywhere else when it comes to 'entitlement of space' on flights.

 

 

 

 

 

[northsouthdevide]

I notice there's a few fattist and Americanist comments on this thread... 

Apart from that,

Reclining your seat is perfectly normal on a long flight, and anyone who complains, has issues with social interaction, and / or never flown before. 

Just your bad luck to have been seated in front of them. 

[samsensam]

 

interesting that the guy shook your wife's seat and not yours. there was another case in the press recently when a man persistently shook the seat of a woman passenger in front of him, would he have done the same seat was occupied by a male? the airline in the situation were shocking in their defence of the female passenger.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/american-airlines-plane-seat-punch-recline-video-flight-a9333231.html

 

reclining a seat is normal and is to be expected, if you feel strongly about the seat in front of you not being reclined then arrange for a front row seat, and only fly when this is available.

[torturedsole]

17 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I don't believe people from the USA are any worse than anywhere else when it comes to 'entitlement of space' on flights.

Indeed and entitlement of space comes from turning left when one steps onboard but comes at a cost.  Otherwise it's slumming it in economy for bargain basement fares and enjoying all the humilities that come with it.  

[Puchaiyank]

Should not have to deal with mean spirited people on an airplane...

 

I have run into similar behavior in Thai theaters...loud talking on cell (alway female)...parents allowing children to bang on the back of seats and generally disregard the presence of other movie goers.

[thai006]

crazy story , that why most of time for long haul , i try to seat at the exit row 

 much better for my  feet  ????

[Don Mega]

hahahahahaha, I read the thread title and immediately thought "I'll bet this involves an obese american" !!

[bodga]

4 hours ago, torturedsole said:

Indeed and entitlement of space comes from turning left when one steps onboard but comes at a cost.  Otherwise it's slumming it in economy for bargain basement fares and enjoying all the humilities that come with it.  

You want cheap travel that's the price you have to pay, personally  I  think the room  allowed for passengers on  economy flights  should be made  illegal. I do travel business  class and never  economy for the last 10 years or so as found it too painful physically , leg cramps elbows  pinned in and the more selfish  attitude of people these  days  the ones who  liked to walk by holding onto your headrest or standing talking in the aisle to a friend for the entire  flight.

Business  class avoids most BUT NOT  ALL  of that, there are still some <deleted> in there.

[Pilotman]

This old chestnut again. The seats are designed to recline, unless you are flying on some low cost, short haul airlines.  Flying economy on most airlines requires great forbearance and patience from everyone and an acknowledgement that it is a sxxt way for any human to travel. This is especially so on long haul, where reclining is necessary for you to maintain some level of comfort.  All travellers know this, or should do. If you can't put up with it, pay business class, grimace and bear it, or don't fly at all. What you don't do is challenge anyone's right to recline their seat for the whole flight, excluding meal times. If you do complain, you will get short shift from the crew.   

[Yellowtail]

While their behavior was unacceptable, It was no worst than the European family behind us sticking their feet though the seat back thinking they were going to use my arm rest to rest their feet, or the Indian I saw masturbating on an Emirates flight or any number of other things I have seen in 44 years of flying.

 

And no, II didn't glean from it that putting your feet on other people's arm rests was a "European thing" or that it was common for Indians to pleasure themselves in flight.

 

Kids kicking the backs of seats is pretty universal, although an observant parent should stop the kid from doing it ,many don't.

[Yellowtail]

Fortunately, the newer seat move forward so you reduce your own leg room when you recline.

[Bramley]

16 hours ago, ChristianBlessing said:

At 190 cm I too have more difficulty flying economy on most airlines. The airlines, to maximize profits, have reduced seat pitch from 10-12 cm over the past decade or so, and seat width by up to 30 cm. Sadly, unlike many of my age peers, I've not lost any height, although the same can't be said of my width.

 

I always ask the person behind me if I may recline my seat once the seat belt light is out; that courtesy alone does wonders. It allows the other passenger to "rearrange" themselves and more often than not they oblige. When asked in advance, it also allows the other passenger to object and explain why they would prefer that I not recline.

 

I am an American, I have traveled extensively on international flights, and I've not noticed any one nationality being more or less troublesome. I have noticed however that nearly everyone agrees that the airlines have done their damndest to make flying an uncomfortable experience for all passengers.

What would you do if they said no? Best not to ask imo.

[Bramley]

9 hours ago, thai006 said:

crazy story , that why most of time for long haul , i try to seat at the exit row 

 much better for my  feet  ????

Costs extra though.

[Pilotman]

5 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

While their behavior was unacceptable, It was no worst than the European family behind us sticking their feet though the seat back thinking they were going to use my arm rest to rest their feet, or the Indian I saw masturbating on an Emirates flight or any number of other things I have seen in 44 years of flying.

 

And no, II didn't glean from it that putting your feet on other people's arm rests was a "European thing" or that it was common for Indians to pleasure themselves in flight.

 

Kids kicking the backs of seats is pretty universal, although an observant parent should stop the kid from doing it ,many don't.

Lets face it, unless you are at the front end of the aircraft, and by that I mean the flight deck, its just the most  horrible method of travel. Even First Class on a long haul flight can be boring and exhausting, unless you in a Singapore Airlines A380 Suite.  

[treetops]

5 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Fortunately, the newer seat move forward so you reduce your own leg room when you recline.

There may be others, but I recall Cathay Pacific doing this and so many complained I don't think they repeated it.

 

https://crankyflier.com/2010/10/15/cathay-pacific-expected-to-replace-pain-inducing-coach-seats/

 

Edited May 23, 2020 by treetops

[eyup]

4 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Lets face it, unless you are at the front end of the aircraft, and by that I mean the flight deck, its just the most  horrible method of travel. Even First Class on a long haul flight can be boring and exhausting, unless you in a Singapore Airlines A380 Suite.  

With all due respect that's rubbish! most pilots are bored out of their tiny's shortly after take off! And how many 10-12 hour flights you think they do? So you travel first class all the time do you? When I travel business flat seat which generally I pay for, my reasoning is to get a good sleep on the flight and hopefully avoid jet lag. The original subject was about reclining the seats in steerage. People need to be respectful of the people in front and behind that's all I'm no geometrist,  but if both recline the seat surely the gap is the same?? And if you are too fat to be unable to occupy a seat without inconveniencing others next to you. Quite simply, either go on a. diet , pay for a seat that fits you or even better don't travel at all!

[stouricks]

Here's a silly idea. Make ALL seats recline automatically after seat belt light goes out, go upright during meal, and back to recline until landing. And also, make the seat belt un-unlockable during descent until the aircraft has come to a complete standstill. Sorted. I know, silly.

[Bob A Kneale]

20 minutes ago, eyup said:

reclining the seats in steerage.

"Steerage"?  Geez...

[eyup]

3 minutes ago, Bob A Kneale said:

"Steerage"?  Geez...

Common airline parlance for "economy" 

[Lancashirelad]

6 hours ago, eyup said:

Common airline parlance for "economy" 

Not so, it's a shipping term. From wikipedia: Steerage is the lower deck of a ship, where the cargo is stored above the closed hold. In the late 19th and early 20th century, steamship steerage decks were used to provide the lowest cost and lowest class of travel, often for European and Chinese immigrants to North America. With limited privacy and security, inadequate sanitary conditions, and poor food, steerage was often decried as inhumane, and was eventually replaced on ocean liners with third-class cabins.