Flying- Seat reclining into you

[Avista]

When you fly do you mind if person in front reclines into your lap? I wish seats would stop reclining unless there is enough room. My husband is over 6 ft. I will sit in front of him when we fly. There is no place for his knees to go when a person reclines. Perhaps the airlines could have a reclining and a non reclining section. Anyone have any other ideas?

[Medtrans]

I remember seeing Ellen Degenerous years and years ago when she performed in comedy clubs and she did a routine about being "comfortable" with the seat non-reclined and being more "comfortable" with the seat reclined that mere little room. I still think of that when on a routine and I feel sorry for tall people who have to squeeze in such a small area which gets smaller and smaller doesn't it? I never recline my seat. I personally don't find it any more comfortable and actually less so unless you want to try to sleep and how many people can do that anymore. Once you recline you are even more in the space of the person behind you so noisier, subject to more pushing on your seat, etc. IMHO why bother with reclining seats. Now with that device you can buy to make the seat in front of you unable to recline they have created an even more angry situation.

[Kahuna32162]

I'm a big guy, 6'8" and 350. We tend to try to fly Delta and will pay extra for the economy comfort seats or try to get an exit isle seat. If I can't do that and am forced to sit in a "regular" seat, I always get an isle seat. If the person in front of me reclines into my lap, I make to sure to get up a lot to stretch and walk up and down the isles.

[janmcn]

My favorite airline, Allegiant Air, does not have reclining seats. This works out well for them and is probably the wave of the future. On most airlines, there is the option of upgrading to business class for more space.

It was announced a few months ago that when flights are diverted because of passengers, the passenger causing the diversion will be charged for the cost. These diversions can cost an airline as much as $250,000.

[Madelaine Amee]

I hate somebody reclining into my lap, it drives me crazy, but what you going to do! We usually fly Premium Upgrade if the airline offers this service.

I just did a search on the Knee Defender - I had no idea there was such a thing available for purchase and for only $21 and change! So far so many people have tried to purchase one that the website crashed. The airlines are talking about banning it, but how do they expect to do that when they are making the leg room less and less and putting in more and more rows of seats to make more money - give me a break, something has to give here and I suggest they make the seats non-reclineable. I imagine a good and very expensive attorney could fight that one for the public!

..... and while I'm venting about reclining seats, how about the passenger behind you who insists on talking in a very loud voice and tells her seat mates all about her personal life, and I do mean ALL. The last time I flew from Orlando to NH I had a young female behind me and you would not believe the stuff she was telling the people she was sitting with ............... Next time I have to remember the ear plugs.

[billethkid]

I would have a business size card that states
"be aware the passenger behind you is a projectile vomitter when in tight spaces"
and politely hand one to the person in front of them when boarding/settling in.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'm 6 feet tall and I never found this to be a problem. People are describing this as the seat reclining into your lap. It does not such thing. The top of the seat comes back a few inches. The area opposite your knees hardly moves at all.

People need to lighten up. I want to recline my seat, especially in a long flight, and I have no problem with anyone else on the plane that wants to as well.

The seats were meant to recline. If this is going to continue to be a problem, airlines will begin replacing seats with the type that don't recline. How many people would prefer that on a six hour flight?

[Madelaine Amee]

I'm 6 feet tall and I never found this to be a problem. People are describing this as the seat reclining into your lap. It does not such thing. The top of the seat comes back a few inches. The area opposite your knees hardly moves at all.

People need to lighten up. I want to recline my seat, especially in a long flight, and I have no problem with anyone else on the plane that wants to as well.

The seats were meant to recline. If this is going to continue to be a problem, airlines will begin replacing seats with the type that don't recline. How many people would prefer that on a six hour flight?

No wish to make this personal, but I would prefer that to six hours of someone sitting in my lap!

[dewilson58]

I'm 6 feet tall and I never found this to be a problem. People are describing this as the seat reclining into your lap. It does not such thing. The top of the seat comes back a few inches. The area opposite your knees hardly moves at all.

People need to lighten up. I want to recline my seat, especially in a long flight, and I have no problem with anyone else on the plane that wants to as well.

The seats were meant to recline. If this is going to continue to be a problem, airlines will begin replacing seats with the type that don't recline. How many people would prefer that on a six hour flight?

I agree.............Lighten up.

The reason things are so tight is because everyone is demanding lower fares. Flight is not about comfort..........it's about speed.

The three or four of five inches that a reclined seat takes in front of you is not your entitled space.

Like another poster stated, a number of airlines do not let the seats recline. Not the most comfortable, but I like the cost.

[slipcovers]

When you pick your seat, you have the option of getting a seat with extra leg room at an additional charge...problem solved.

Also, you could just recline your own seat, which should even out the space. I think the people that complain probably do recline their seat but do not want the person in front to recline theirs.

[JC and John]

It is no fun to have a seat recline in front of you while having dinner with the lap tray down! Spilled my drink! Happened to me on a nonstop flight from Hawaii to St. Louis. I complained to the steward. Person in front was not happy when asked to sit up during dinner. They moved!

[njbchbum]

snipped

The three or four of five inches that a reclined seat takes in front of you is not your entitled space.

snipped

Whose 'entitled space' is it?

[Bonny]

Sorry, but I recline. I like to sleep. I have no problem with the person in front of me reclining. For sure no one has been on my lap. The seats don't recline that much.
I do always make sure that the person behind me doesn't have anything to drink on their tray before I recline.

[dewilson58]

Sorry, but I recline. I like to sleep. I have no problem with the person in front of me reclining. For sure no one has been on my lap. The seats don't recline that much.
I do always make sure that the person behind me doesn't have anything to drink on their tray before I recline.

But, do you snore??
:a040::a040:

[Bonny]

But, do you snore??
:a040::a040:
Hubby says I don't :thumbup:

[CFrance]

Most airlines have banned knee defenders, so if your seat won't recline, tell a flight attendant. And the airlines we've flown recently will tell the person reclining to bring the seat back up during meal times.

My husband almost lost a laptop screen once when the person in front of him abruptly reclined his seat, and it got caught. He and the guy next to him grabbed the seat back and pushed it far enough back up to release the laptop screen, then let the seat come down. It's a nice idea to check behind you before reclining, and then do it gently.

I wish they would modify the seats so they cannot recline as much as they could when there was more room between you and the person in front of you.

The premium economy seats on a flight to Australia are $2K apiece extra, so "just buy a premium upgrade" is not always financially possible. To Europe on Air France, they're $200 extra per flight, so $800 for a couple.

[bluedog103]

I ask the person behind me if they mind if I put the seat back. Never had a person object yet but if they do I won't recline.

[Mikeod]

IIRC, the seats in the row in front of the exit row(s) cannot recline, which is another reason to grab the exit row even with the extra charge.

[tomwed]

"UPDATED on September 2, 2014: In the past eight days there’ve been three U.S. flights that had to make unscheduled landings after passengers got into fights over the ability to recline their seats. The first one was started by a passenger using Knee Defender but I don’t recommend getting this contraption."

Read more: http://www.johnnyjet.com/2014/07/how-to-stop-the-passenger-in-front-of-you-from-reclining/#ixzz3CHulqj8u

I get a lot of good traveling advice from JohnnyJet.com.

[perrjojo]

Seats recline; therefore that means you are entitled to recline your seat. I know it's cramped but it is the way it is. My husband has back problems and could not endure siting a long time without reclining his seat.

[Indydealmaker]

It might be a slight exaggeration to say that the seat reclines into your lap, but it is a fact that you do not have to be six foot tall to be dramatically inconvenienced by a reclined seat.
Forget about working on a laptop.
Forget about reading a full size hardcover book.
Forget about getting out of your seat without bending double over backwards or falling into the lap of another flyer.

What you will be able to do, however, is count the bugs in the hair of the person in front of you.

[Bavarian]

I keep my knees where they block the person in front from reclining. The Flight Atendents make people in front move seat up for food. The people in front expect you to recline out of their way, I won't as I won't bother anyone.

[Indydealmaker]

It is no fun to have a seat recline in front of you while having dinner with the lap tray down! Spilled my drink! Happened to me on a nonstop flight from Hawaii to St. Louis. I complained to the steward. Person in front was not happy when asked to sit up during dinner. They moved!

Many moons ago when I flew from Detroit to Cleveland regularly, I observed a fresh-faced young go-getter working diligently on his laptop on an early morning flight only to suddenly go into shock when the seat in front of him reclined without warning. When he recovered, he discovered he now had a 2-piece laptop. The lid/screen had snapped clean off.

That happened when there was easily twice the space between seats. That was also back when the airlines managed to operate profitably, often leaving the middle seat empty to better accommodate winter coats and newspapers and work papers of the business flyer.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

No wish to make this personal, but I would prefer that to six hours of someone sitting in my lap!

As would I. But like I said, the seat in front of you reclines a few inches. It is far from reclining into your lap let alone having someone sit in your lap.

[karostay]

Fly first class if its that big of an issue

[old moe]

I'm 6 feet tall and I never found this to be a problem. People are describing this as the seat reclining into your lap. It does not such thing. The top of the seat comes back a few inches. The area opposite your knees hardly moves at all.

People need to lighten up. I want to recline my seat, especially in a long flight, and I have no problem with anyone else on the plane that wants to as well.

The seats were meant to recline. If this is going to continue to be a problem, airlines will begin replacing seats with the type that don't recline. How many people would prefer that on a six hour flight?

:bigbow:Thank you, this is the MOST ACTUATE STATEMENT SO FAR, Lighten up folks, its not a big deal.:bigbow::bigbow:

[Polar Bear]

:bigbow:Thank you, this is the MOST ACTUATE STATEMENT SO FAR, Lighten up folks, its not a big deal.:bigbow::bigbow:


I don't fly that much, but I'm 6'-6" tall and space is often a bit of a deal. Why do I think you may not be quite as tall?!? :)

[Aandjmassage]

I'm done with flying drove to California twice and drive to Illinois 3 time a year.

[Average Guy]

My favorite airline, Allegiant Air, does not have reclining seats. This works out well for them and is probably the wave of the future. On most airlines, there is the option of upgrading to business class for more space.

It was announced a few months ago that when flights are diverted because of passengers, the passenger causing the diversion will be charged for the cost. These diversions can cost an airline as much as $250,000.

Do you have a reference regarding your statement that passengers causing diversions will be charged for the cost? I have not heard of this before and could not find anything on the Internet when I did a Google search..

[DonH57]

32713]It might be a slight exaggeration to say that the seat reclines into your lap, but it is a fact that you do not have to be six foot tall to be dramatically inconvenienced by a reclined seat.
Forget about working on a laptop.
Forget about reading a full size hardcover book.
Forget about getting out of your seat without bending double over backwards or falling into the lap of another flyer.

What you will be able to do, however, is count the bugs in the hair of the person in front of you.[/QUOTE]

Get out those small pair of scissors and watch those little bugs run.:a040:

[DonH57]

Something happened to the thread I responded to. It did not come out right. Part of it is missing.

[Bonny]

Just saying.... the fact that seats recline and people are in your laps is quite an exaggeration !!!

[CatskillBill]

When you fly do you mind if person in front reclines into your lap? I wish seats would stop reclining unless there is enough room. My husband is over 6 ft. I will sit in front of him when we fly. There is no place for his knees to go when a person reclines. Perhaps the airlines could have a reclining and a non reclining section. Anyone have any other ideas?


Fly Allegiant Air. None of their seats recline. Doesn't really bother me on a 2 hour flight. Kids kicking my seatback is a bigger problem. Please parents grand parents control them and teach them some manners or maybe the plane will have to divert.

[mixsonci]

I don't mind if people in front of me recline their seat, however, I do wish they would put the seat upright for the meal service. It does make it difficult to eat with their seat back in your tray and the tray table pushing into your ribs.

[Pointer]

I always fly Jet blue if I can. Plenty of room and comfortable seats, free direct Tv at each seat and no luggage fee. I've never had a problem with them. I just flew US Air and couldn't believe how uncomfortable those seats were and I'm fairly petite. I sympathize with anyone larger trying to be comfortable in what must feel like children's sized seats.

[denise adams]

How refreshing it is to see that the "hooray for me, the hell with everyone else" attitude is alive and well and living in the Villages with some of the posts.
I travel 150,000 miles a year on military business and I'm 6'2". Trust me, the seat reclined in front of me IS a problem. If I have my tray down to read or do some work, the tray is now into my stomach. Can't believe anyone would say a reclining seat has no bearing on the person in back of them. Thats just not true. Try a 15 1/2 hr flight to Korea (non-stop) and see if it matters. And you're right, I can get a better seat for ONLY $289.00 more. Or I could get first class for ONLY $3700 more.

[Walter123]

[QUOTE=denise adams;932966]How refreshing it is to see that the "hooray for me, the hell with everyone else" attitude is alive and well and living in the Villages with some of the posts.

How is that refreshing?

[Lauren Sweeny]

I am a female ,6 feet tall. Most of my length is from my knee to hip. Any, an all air flights are pure torture. Fibromyalgia plus restless leg syndrome and height make it difficult to not come off a plane walking and looking like a zombie! When the passenger in front of me puts their chair back it absolutely hits my knees pinning me against my seat. If this happens suddenly I actually let out an involuntary yelp from pain.
I too would like the comfort of a kick backed, relaxed , semi reclining ride and do feel badly that the person in front cannot do this either.
Please people think of the person behind you with a bit of kindness.
The air industry does not care for our comfort just the almighty dollar ,that's a fact!

[Bonny]

[QUOTE=denise adams;932966]How refreshing it is to see that the "hooray for me, the hell with everyone else" attitude is alive and well and living in the Villages with some of the posts.

How is that refreshing?
:agree:

[iluvmopars]

I am a (almost retired) FAA inspector and first of all I would like to say that the contraptions being sold to prevent a seat from reclining are illegal. The person who places the device on the seat may be fined if charges are filed by the airline. They make the seat unairworthy per regulations. As stated in an earlier post, passengers that cause diversions can in fact have to pay the airline for the diversion if the airline files a claim against them. As for the FAA they will be charged and fined. FAA legal determines the amount of the fine. You can bet that either TSA or local law enforcement will be waiting for them at the gate and report them to the FAA. The distance between aircraft seats is call pitch and alot of airlines are putting their seats at minimum pitch so they can add an extra row of seats (minimum pitch is 29 inches, normal is 33 inches). Most ot the airlines reducing pitch are locking the reclining mechanisms but some are not. If the seats are at normal pitch, reclining seats don't hamper the person behind other than the tray table being closer to them. If you are going to use a laptop you shouldn't push it all the way forward and it should be fine. If you are uncomfortable with reclining seats the only alternative, unfortunately is a seat upgrade. As stated in an earlier post, exit row seats don't recline because it is against regulations. Hope this answers some questions and I understand some of the people who don't like reclining seats but by regulation there is nothing the FAA can do.

[denise adams]

[quote=Walter123;933009]

How is that refreshing?
:agree:

"Refreshing" as in sarcasm..........Let me put it another way with no sarcasm.
Its a shame.........Its repulsive............and its sad to see the attitude especially among us senior citizens

[Bonny]

[quote=Bonny;933055]

"Refreshing" as in sarcasm..........Let me put it another way with no sarcasm.
Its a shame.........Its repulsive............and its sad to see the attitude especially among us senior citizens
WOW !! All of that because someone reclines their seat ?

[mtdjed]

Whose 'entitled space' is it?

If the seat is designed to recline, then the person in that seat is entitled to use that space. I have traveled a lot and have never had a problem with someone reclining their seat. It does not affect your knees or your tray table. It may affect your wish for more space but you need to accept the design. If airlines change the reclining situation, then you get your way.

Use of a device to stop the recline should not be allowed as it infringes upon the right of the person affected.

[CFrance]

[QUOTE=denise adams;932966]How refreshing it is to see that the "hooray for me, the hell with everyone else" attitude is alive and well and living in the Villages with some of the posts.

How is that refreshing?

I believe it was meant sarcastically. But I agree with her.

[dewilson58]

Nothing is more refreshing than reclining back with a couple cool pickle slices on your eye lids.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[CFrance]

I actually hope the problems with people fighting over reclining seats and planes having to be diverted, and all the ensuing havoc, will continue. The airlines will be forced to do what they should have done in the beginning--adjust the seats so they don't recline as much as they used to when the seat pitch was different. Seriously, broken laptops? Drinks spilled, not being able to read a book or eat your meal is ridiculous. You don't need your seat to recline five inches to sleep. Two is fine. I've done it on 17-hour flights.

If you can't manage to snag and pay for exit row seats, which usually don't come available on international flights till check-in, you will be looking at a lot of $ for a premium upgrade. It's one thing for a four-hour flight in the US, quite another for longer flights out of the country.

Passenger comfort certainly isn't job one for the airlines anymore. But they could take a look at some adjustments.

[Bruiser1]

[quote=Bonny;933055]

"Refreshing" as in sarcasm..........Let me put it another way with no sarcasm.
Its a shame.........Its repulsive............and its sad to see the attitude especially among us senior citizens

I think you are all missing a great opportunity.

If someone reclines and extends their head in your lap obviously they feel trusting and open to you. This is a golden chance to shave, clean their teeth (with plastic tools of course) pop zits ,apply make up all at a nominal fee ($50 per task) .The flight attendants will accept major credit cars (after assessing processing fees)-everybody wins!

[CFrance]

Conde Nast Traveler must have been reading TOTV! Let's Get Rid of Reclining Coach Seats on Planes - Condé Nast Traveler (http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2014-09-04/let-s-get-rid-of-reclining-coach-seats-on-planes?mbid=nl_090414_Daily&CNDID=21374471&spMailingID=7041229&spUserID=NTAwNzY5MDc4NTQS1&spJobID=520425493&spReportId=NTIwNDI1NDkzS0)

[karostay]

Nothing is more refreshing than reclining back with a couple cool pickle slices on your eye lids.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Dill or Bread & Butter slices:wave:

[perrjojo]

If a seat is built to recline the person occupying that seat has every right to recline their seat. Seats are closer together because passengers demand lower prices. We get what we pay for. It is NOT because airlines are greedy. In case you haven't noticed most airlines have gone bankrupt more than once. Airlines are a risky stock investment because airlines don't make money. A seat reclining in front of you can be uncomfortable but not any more uncomfortable than the narrow seats that have the passenger beside you overflowing into you space. Let's face it air travel has become very uncomfortable for all of us.

[janmcn]

I actually hope the problems with people fighting over reclining seats and planes having to be diverted, and all the ensuing havoc, will continue. The airlines will be forced to do what they should have done in the beginning--adjust the seats so they don't recline as much as they used to when the seat pitch was different. Seriously, broken laptops? Drinks spilled, not being able to read a book or eat your meal is ridiculous. You don't need your seat to recline five inches to sleep. Two is fine. I've done it on 17-hour flights.

If you can't manage to snag and pay for exit row seats, which usually don't come available on international flights till check-in, you will be looking at a lot of $ for a premium upgrade. It's one thing for a four-hour flight in the US, quite another for longer flights out of the country.

Passenger comfort certainly isn't job one for the airlines anymore. But they could take a look at some adjustments.

There must be an easier way to get the airlines' attention without committing civil disobedience. Imagine causing an airline to divert and being handed a $250,000 bill plus court costs. Imagine all the innocent passengers inconvenienced because two people deck it out over reclining seats. Imagine being dumped off in some unexpected location.

And don't even think about interfering with a flight crew member. That is a federal crime and will send a person to federal prison. Passengers should try to act like adults.

[CFrance]

There must be an easier way to get the airlines' attention without committing civil disobedience. Imagine causing an airline to divert and being handed a $250,000 bill plus court costs. Imagine all the innocent passengers inconvenienced because two people deck it out over reclining seats. Imagine being dumped off in some unexpected location.

And don't even think about interfering with a flight crew member. That is a federal crime and will send a person to federal prison. Passengers should try to act like adults.
Well, I certainly wouldn't do it, but what's it going to take before the airlines address the problem? According to the article I posted a link to, they already have the ability to adjust the seat backs to not recline fully. Just do it! Let the recliners and the not-wanting-to-be-reclined-upon compromise.

[buggyone]

Well, I certainly wouldn't do it, but what's it going to take before the airlines address the problem? According to the article I posted a link to, they already have the ability to adjust the seat backs to not recline fully. Just do it! Let the recliners and the not-wanting-to-be-reclined-upon compromise.

Last long flight I took from Tokyo to Chicago was great! Fully reclined seat made into a bed, almost gourmet meals, drinks, and a Bose noise deadner.

It was American Airlines first class and so well worth the frequent flier miles.

In coach class on domestic flights, seats should only recline 2-3 inches. Problem solved.