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.
I am 6’1 and 280 lbs with back trouble from a crushed spinal disk. I do not recline, because it is rude and selfish to the people behind you. When people recline, they are stealing the room I need for my tray-table if I want to get some work done or watch a video. I figure that if I can stand it for a couple of hours, then everyone should be able to do the same. If you can’t, then buy business / First like I do now on all long-haul flights (sometimes they even let you upgrade at the gate for very little extra money) so that I can recline without affecting anyone else. The thinking that it is your right to recline in coach is all part of a “me-me-me”/ “Greed is good” society, which has ruined our economy and destroyed our nation….
I think it’s sad that the world is such that you have to bribe people to be considerate.
Della says: I’ve flown in many airplanes- usually going from CA. to TX and back- a 2-1/2 hr flight. I usually just doze off, and maybe I recline my seat just a little bit. But on a flight to Australia in 2005, a group of High Schoolers and parents (20 or more people) came on this plane. A big husky senior sat by the door of the airplane, and because he had no chair in front of him, stretched out his feet and sawed logs. Well that was fine with me, but when I had to use the restroom, he had me “locked in” my seat, and I didn’t have the heart to wake him, but I had to. He (because of his height) pushed his seat and pinned me to my seat- most uncomfortable. So when he woke up to visit the restroom, I then asked him if he could please bring his seat up because he was jamming my knees. I flew Qantas, and we were allowed to walk around, stretch standing up, and the stewardesses were cordial, since it was an 18 hr. trip from CA. to Sydney. I entertained myself watching the TV screen, watching the areas on the map in front of me, and talking to the woman beside me. I will speak up if some has reclined so far as to cut off my circulation or is rude. The airlines need more research in their reclining business, especially when rude people are concerned. It would make for a more comfortable flight. July 2, 2014 (don’t know if I would take your free pass or not)
If I were flying from LAX to YYZ, I would be on Air Canada, not American.
I’m 6 feet tall. I usually get an exit row, but won’t recline even with a normal seat. I think it is discourteous to the person behind me. Leaning back 6 inches doesn’t really help anyway.
I ABSOLUTELY agree!
The only time a “recliner” bugs me is during meal service. Otherwise it doesn’t bug me, as frankly, they don’t recline that much anymore anyway! When I want to recline (eg when my back is bothering me or I want to try to sleep) I pay for the upgrade.
Maybe the airlines should set up non-reclining sections for people who want to get work done, vs. those who want to sleep the entire flight.
That’s an excellent idea and offers win-win
I had a terrible seat where the side of the plane sloped & the person in front of me started to recline & seemed to be in my lap. I felt so claustrophobic, so I tried asking the guy in front of me & was ignored. I then asked the flight attendant & she told me that he paid for his seat & has the right to recline, even though he was in my space. I was not happy & to top it, he left his seat reclined when he got up!
I actually thought you were going to give us a real tip. Since I have nothing to give away this was no help at all. Everyone reclines on me and often wack my knees painfully. All I can do is really rattle their seat when I get up to go to the WC.
If it were really rude to recline, the airlines shouldn’t provide reclining seats. Given that they do, I see nothing wrong with using that feature–that you paid dearly for.
I can’t sleep sitting upright on a plane, but with my seat reclined, I’m out like a light. I’ve never had anyone complain to me about my reclining, and I’ve never complained to the guy in front of me who reclines either. Flying is unpleasant enough without people getting all upset when others take advantage of one of the few comfort features still available.
Well I’m sure they created them when people actually had more legroom. These days, you don’t. I hate it when people recline on me. I then can’t use my computer, or watch a movie on the seatback screen (unless I wanted to do so cross-eyed). The last flight I was on, the seat reclined so far back that all I had to do was tip my head forward a bit and I could rest my forehead on it. It’s insane. I couldn’t reach any of my things under the seat. I practically pulled a muscle trying to get my water bottle. Because of this, I never recline my seat, unless the person behind me is sleeping. I find it absolutely rude. Flying is uncomfortable enough as it is, without having a seat 6 inches in front of your face preventing you from trying to sleep on your tray table, reaching your belongings, watching movies, working on your laptop…. shall I go on? People may not complain to you, but be sure they’re burning holes in the back of your seat with their eyes.
Amen! Nothing anyone can offer will be enough to stop me from reclining…. unless they move me to Business Class. I don’t see anything wrong with reclining the seat you paid for. I also don’t mind at all when people in front of me recline, that’s what they paid for! And if someone attempts to push their knees onto me, just try! You will get tired of it especially if it’s a long flight. I can barely sleep on the plane WITH my seat reclined, I can’t afford to get off a flight I paid a small fortune for, exhausted and then work. Anyway, those who say reclining a seat is rude, spend your lifetime complaining to airlines… don’t spill it on the rest of us, we are just trying to get from point A to point B. And if it upsets you that much, buy a Business Class ticket. Or try bribing people in front of you, it clearly works for Johnny.
Decline that seat and I will annoy you with knee pushes.
Amen. I find that works best for me because if you recline it WILL be into my knees as I have long legs. Though I have to admit I really liked the idea someone suggested of using the air vent on their head. I plan on trying that in 2 weeks on my next flight if I have to!
We now live in a self serving society….you know me me me….put your head in my lap and tell me its time to sleep and find out what happens.
Hi Johnny….lucky for you that you have such nice things to offer….what about those of us who do not have passes to give away? How do we get folks not to recline?
You can either offer to buy them food on the plane, a drink or tell cold cash!
Why do we have to bribe people to get back our personal space? :-/ I don’t even buy drinks or food or wifi for myself…. kind of frustrating to think I may have to buy it for someone else to keep them out of my face… people could start taking advantage of that. lol oh wait, why not bring some snacks on board, with a note, and place it in their seat when you get on the plane. The note can say “My sincere thanks for not reclining your seat! May your kindness return to you in the same beautiful way it was given….” or something.
good for you Kendal,
I agree 100% I will remember that tip next time i’m on a 13 hour flight !