On a recent American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Toronto, I chose to sit in row 16 of the 737-800MCE series aircraft because (like in row 17, as well) the middle seat is blocked on each side. The airline has made a habit of blocking out four seats like this so they can pay one less flight attendant (here’s a deeper explanation). I usually choose one of the exit rows—which are directly in front—but because these planes have been flying 100% full recently and the seats are so tight (or I’m just getting bigger), I decided that having more space next to me was more important than having it in front of me. And so I booked row 16 to check things out.
Little did I know that these seats come with pretty much no legroom, and so I knew that when the passenger in front of me reclined I wouldn’t be able to do work on my laptop. So I offered the passenger in front of me a free Gogo session (I work with them a lot and they give me a handful of free Gogo passes that I usually give to friends and flight attendants).
All I did was tap him on his shoulder and said, “Excuse me, but is there anyway you can let me know when you recline since I’ll be working on my computer?” He said it was no problem. I then said I’d even make him a deal: “If you don’t recline, I’ll give you a free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi pass”—and he said, “done deal.” And since he was so nice about it, I gave one to his girlfriend as well. It was a win-win for everyone and made row 16 a great choice.
Would you take that deal? I posted the question on my personal Facebook page (here’s my work Facebook page) and most said they would. But there a few who said, “No way, Jose!” as well, so I want to hear even more thoughts. Let me know what you would do, and what it would take for you to agree not to recline your seat in the comments below.
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.
you know that whole do unto others and you would do? I dont recline my seat as I wouldnt like the person in front of me reclining. Hoping for good Karma :)
Since my flights are mostly a red eye flying in or out of Honolulu…I always recline. I try to be courteous of the person behind me and not fully recline if they are still awake…but once the lights are off and everyone is snoozing…I’m reclined and trying to sleep as much as possible. A free wi-if card wouldn’t do me much good on a red eye…a nice blanket would be better!!
I always look who is sitting behind me, if it is someone who is not teeny weenie I won’t recline. I think it is rude.
I also check the status of the person behind me…. If they are already reclining, I feel free to recline as well.
All it would take is for you to ask me nicely. I do not recline my seat as I try to think of the person in back of me.
I’m surprised to hear so many people are intensely opposed to reclining and some are even passive aggressive about it. That’s just crazy to me. We all paid for our spot which includes the reclining option. And let’s be honest, it’s only a few inches. I would totally take a Gogo pass in exchange, but for me, I always bring my pillow and try to catch up on much needed sleep on almost every flight I take, so I almost always recline. And if one of you guys kicks my seat in protest, now I’ll know why.
When you only get about 12 inches in front of your face, that 6 that your forward neighbour steals is a big deal. I responded to someone else’s comment about my recent overnight flight from NYC to Paris… once they reclined into my face, I couldn’t even reach my things under the chair. My food, my water, my books… I practically strained a neck muscle trying to get them, because this person couldn’t figure out how to sleep without reclining. When the airlines invented the reclining seat, I’m sure we all had much more room. They’ve been cramming them closer and closer together and at this point, I think it’s just rude to take someone else’s breathing room. It’s a long flight. Maybe I want to use my computer, or try to sleep on my tray table, or if there’s a tv screen watch a film. But I CAN’T when there’s a seat back in my face. I also traveled with my brother, who is tall and needs a lot of leg room. The person in front of him tried to recline and hit his knees. My brother certainly wasn’t going to curl up and lose his legroom, so his knees were smashed into the seat until this person gave up. Yeah, some people are passionate about this. It’s one of the worst parts about flying for me, because usually I’m on a 9 hour flight and I don’t want a chair in my face the whole time.
Kendal,
I agree totally. When the seat ahead is reclined and aisle arm rests cannot move, this means there are only about 3-4 inches of room to exit your seat to use restroom on stretch legs in the aisle. Travelers with titanium knee joints have an awful time exiting even if they are short.
Airlines should end the controversy by banning reclining seats t/o the plane. Those who insist on reclining should purchase the $$$ seats up front.
I generally don’t recline on planes to begin with; I’m 5’1″ and I know that I feel cramped when people recline, so I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is for taller people sitting behind me. I don’t think that little bit of extra “comfort” from the seat’s minimal recline is worth making someone else uncomfortable. That said, if we’re on a red-eye flight and the person behind me is already reclining and sleeping (and if I can see I’m not going to bash their knees), I might recline if I feel drowsy — though I find I can rarely sleep on planes. So, I’d accept the free WiFi card in a heartbeat for something I’d be doing anyway! ;-)
I recline. For sure. You could offer me lots of things and it wouldn’t make me not recline. Sorry.
My idea of planes is that it is just a big aluminum sleeping tube to relax in. So depending on the time of day, length of flight or how I feel I recline. But I am polite about it, let the person behind me know that I am reclining and put my seat up when asked by the flight attendants.
i am so the recline queen i need to sleep and relax- i figure if i recline you recline, giving you just the same amount of space- i dont think it is rude as relaxing and going to sleep during a flight is how you fly well for me it is-!!! no offer would make me not recline. i would think it was weird and uncomfortable for anyone to asked me not to.
That logic doesn’t really work, since the emergency exit seats can’t recline, and nor can the last seat in the plane. So no, everyone can’t just recline and get the same amount of space. And these days, with the shrinking leg room…. reclining is rude. It takes options and comfort away from someone behind you. Now they can’t use their laptop. Now they can’t reach the things under the seat. Now it’s harder for them to get out of their row. Now they can’t rest on their tray table. Unless they in turn want to be rude to someone else, and some of us don’t think our own comfort should come at the cost of another’s.
I recline because sitting straight is hard on my back and I stiffen up. I would be considerate and recline slowly and would, if asked recline only enough to take the pressure off my lower back. Unless, it is a red eye or long flight when I plan to sleep. Then I am going to use the space allotted to me and my seat and fully recline to snooze.
I don’t recline my seat when I fly unless the person behind me is a jerk. In which case, I recline my seat as far back as I can for as long as I can.
I think that’s one of the most diplomatic solutions I’ve heard in a very long time. Kudos!