Reclining on an airplane? and other flying etiquette

Do you recline your seat while flying

  • Yes

    Votes: 52 20.4%
  • No

    Votes: 132 51.8%
  • Sometimes

    Votes: 71 27.8%

  • Total voters
    255

discydisc

Flag Designer Extraordinaire
Jan 14, 2014
3,080
2,623
113
Ames
If airlines did not want seats to recline then they wouldn’t recline. There are a couple rows of seats near the Exit Rows that do not recline so as to keep access for exits. Bottom line is if you want extra room and don’t want a reclining seat in front of you then pay for first class or Comfort seats. The guy continually thumping seat of reclined seat was a prick. His conduct was inexcusable. The Flight Attendant that agreed with the guy should be fired. Flight Attendant has no people skills. Airlines have added more and more seats. They are to blame.
If it being reclined was such a bother to his leg room he should have had no problem jostling the seat in front of him with his leg. My biggest pet peeves is guy that goes across the armrest into my seat space, have some ******* class.
 

cycloneworld

Facebook Knows All
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 20, 2006
30,131
22,455
113
Urbandale, IA
As someone who takes 100+ flights per year, I never recline (and feel strongly that people shouldn’t) unless:
1. There is no one behind you.
2. It is an overnight flight where people are expected to sleep.

That’s it.

Reclining you’re seat makes it super uncomfortable for taller people plus it’s impossible to work on a laptop when someone reclines. As a frequent work-on-plane person, it’s super annoying when someone slams back their seat and then proceeds to watch TV for the entire flight. You don’t need to recline to watch TV.
 

ISUCyclones2015

Doesn't wipe standing up
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2010
14,626
10,908
113
Chicago, IL
I've never really considered the aisle seat to have more leg room because I don't put my legs out there. I'm shocked at how many people need to use those insanely small bathrooms literally minutes after leaving a terminal.
Also, the drink cart:
hqdefault.jpg

I've been flying nearly every week for 5 years now and I'm literally on a plane right now (gotta love the free wifi). I became one of those people that had to use the bathroom immediately on this flight. I don't know what came over me but I needed to get it out. Also the first time I've ever gone #2 on a domestic flight.

I'm not proud.
 

Stormin

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
45,478
14,351
113
I never recline, think it's obnoxious and inconsiderate.

Assuming airlines won't outright forbid it, they should at least implement 'Reclining' and 'No Reclining' seating sections. That way everyone who enjoys having some guy's fat head in their lap for 4 hours can enjoy it together and the rest of us can be spared.

Your wish to not recline does not mean the person ahead of you won’t recline. The seats don’t recline much at all. I figure a person has the right to recline if their seat reclines. And have never complained of those reclining their seat in front of me. That is their right. The person’s assigned space includes the area which the seat reclines into. Airlines advertise their recline pitch of seats. So you have the right.

And the conduct of the prick on the airline leads me the impression that he would deny the person in front of him to recline while reclining into the person behind him. Look how he responded to the situation. And the lady kept her seat upright for his snack service. Which is a helluva lot more courtesy than the prick deserved.
 

JP4CY

Lord, beer me strength.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2008
74,611
95,626
113
Testifying
I've been flying nearly every week for 5 years now and I'm literally on a plane right now (gotta love the free wifi). I became one of those people that had to use the bathroom immediately on this flight. I don't know what came over me but I needed to get it out. Also the first time I've ever gone #2 on a domestic flight.

I'm not proud.
Airport Sbarro?
 
  • Like
  • Funny
Reactions: Macloney and GTO

cowgirl836

Well-Known Member
Sep 3, 2009
51,455
43,334
113
I recline. It's way more comfortable for me and helps stave off migraines and airsickness for me. The seat is too tall for me to just stay upright and rest against the little head rest thingies. If you need more space, sit behind an exit row. And ***** at the airlines for cramming everything in so close.
 

Cyclones_R_GR8

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Feb 10, 2007
23,962
25,942
113
Omaha
About the only time I fully recline my seat is if there is no one behind me. If someone is behind me I recline it about 30% back just so I'm not sitting straight up.

The whole experience of flying has become just miserable, you just have to try to make it less miserable for yourself and the people around you.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: simply1

BoxsterCy

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 14, 2009
48,355
47,269
113
Minnesota
I've been flying nearly every week for 5 years now and I'm literally on a plane right now (gotta love the free wifi). I became one of those people that had to use the bathroom immediately on this flight. I don't know what came over me but I needed to get it out. Also the first time I've ever gone #2 on a domestic flight.

I'm not proud.

Four hour flight last week and like clockwork as soon as I close the door to the toilet the plane starts bucking like a bronco and the pilot comes on to tell everyone to fasten their seatbelts. Not going was NOT an option so had to ride it out like a cowboy at a rodeo. BTW, had to step over the legs of three tall guys with their legs out into the isle. None of them moved their legs although one was sound asleep.
 
  • Funny
Reactions: BCClone

BWRhasnoAC

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 10, 2013
30,201
27,868
113
Dez Moy Nez
Hell yes I recline my seat. I won't be able to walk if I don't. L7 slips out and pinches my sciatica if I sit in those straight up and down torcher chairs. I just put my ear buds in and avoid eye contact. I'm not the kind of guy that's looks very approachable lol. If people want to be mad about it, go talk to the airlines.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: Hoggins

SpokaneCY

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
13,294
8,489
113
Spokane, WA
I’m sure you’ve all seen the video but if not here's a guy that got mad about someone reclining their seat - https://www.independent.co.uk/trave...seat-punch-recline-video-flight-a9333231.html

  • Do you guys recline your seat? What do you think of people that do without asking?

Some other flying etiquette questions:
  • Do you guys ask to leave the windows closed?
  • Who gets the middle armrests?
  • Should first class have a dress code?

MINOR adjustments in reclining but always with the courtesy nod behind.

Recently diagnosed with cervical spine issues and change of angle is only thing that helps! I'm also lucky enough to be flying cross-country first part of March and I'm already dreading it.

If more windows open then open.
If person next to me has a screen, I'll lower most of the way.
F the middle armrest. I'm a window seat guy and will go to great lengths to not touch another human being.
Dress code? Just wear pants and keep your shoes on and in YOU part of the cabin.
 

cycloner29

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2008
12,846
12,409
113
Ames
My last couple of flights with free movies, I forgot my readers so in order to see it better, I had to recline. I am 6' 4" so I do have some issues getting comfy. I probably need to start spending $$ to get a seat with more leg room.

Let's talk about crying babies! I seem to always get the criers either in front of me or behind. I also don't get that people that sit in an aisle seat seem to buckle in and then you tell them you have the inside seat and it holds the whole line up.

Normally I have the arm rests up. Then there is the situation when you have a larger individual that sits next to you. Is it their right or your right to put the arm rest up or down.

P.S. Never dropped a deuce on a flight yet!
 

NWICY

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2012
35,536
31,674
113
-If you have the window seat, you control the window, aisle seat can ebod. But don't be a douche about it. If the suns blaring directly in the windows, I shut it. Otherwise it's up.
-I personally don't recline but I have long legs and feel for people that are the same way. If you have a two hour flight, tough it out. If you reaaalllly have to, ask the person behind you if they're cool with it but honestly, most travel within the US isn't going to be too bad. International is completely different.
-Armrests should go to the middle person if it's a 3 seater. If it's a 2 seater, arm wrestle for it, idk.

One more thing, you people that aren't assigned the window seat but take it anyway, why do you do it? I picked that seat so I could lay my head against the window and not get up for your small bladder three times during the flight. I am going to ask you to move. And don't get all huffy when I do. That's my seat. I picked a window seat for a reason.

This is a thing? People sitting in wrong seats intentionally? Full disclosure I fly very seldom.
 

Stormin

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
45,478
14,351
113
Bigger problem for me one year was the fat lady and fat husband that snuck their fat kid (Jr. Cyclone Club member) into their two purchased seats beside me at Jack Trice and wanted to invade my Seat Space which I had padded seat backs purchased. Seat backs defined my space. Fat Lady actually sat in my padded seat while I went to restroom and sweated it up. I held my ground and forced the lady into her space. And told her in no uncertain terms that if she sat on my padded seat that I would call Security.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: Remo Gaggi

drlove

Well-Known Member
Mar 20, 2007
2,682
3,054
113
I travel for work and do not recline for 2 reasons.
1. If the person in front of me reclines, it makes using my laptop very difficult if I need to work.
2. i'm taller than average,, and have had people recline hard into my knees without warning.
 

HGoat1

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Sep 25, 2018
894
1,962
93
Denver, Colorado
If you have the ability to flip someone the bird. You can flip them the bird. Doesn't NOT make you a jerk though.

These two things are not at all comparable. You're not a jerk for reclining your airplane seat. If travelers need special accomodations, then they should make prior arrangements. It isn't on the passenger in front of them.
 
Last edited:

cyclonespiker33

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
Jan 19, 2011
15,728
9,219
113
I don't recline but I also won't blame someone in front of me for reclining. I don't use the tray for anything like working on a laptop though. I just try to find a comfortable position while listening to music/podcast and hope the Dramamine kicks in.
 

HGoat1

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Sep 25, 2018
894
1,962
93
Denver, Colorado
The question isn't if you CAN recline. It's if you should. There are lots of things you CAN do but wouldn't because you realize it is rude, disrespectful, inconvenient, ect to those around you.

There is nothing rude or disrespectful about reclining your airplane seat.
If travelers need special accomodation, they should make prior arrangements. It isn't on the passenger in front of them.
 

harimad

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2016
7,715
12,255
113
52
Illinois
I've been flying nearly every week for 5 years now and I'm literally on a plane right now (gotta love the free wifi). I became one of those people that had to use the bathroom immediately on this flight. I don't know what came over me but I needed to get it out. Also the first time I've ever gone #2 on a domestic flight.

I'm not proud.
If you want to avoid this, you need to know that coffee (or caffeine in general) is not your friend. ;)
 
  • Funny
Reactions: ISUCyclones2015

Doc

This is it Morty
Aug 6, 2006
37,437
21,963
113
Denver
I'm not a big fan of it and don't do it on normal flights. I'm pretty tall and it can make things even more uncomfortable than they normally are. In the past when somebody reclined a little too aggressively I would take a full water bottle and shove it between my knee and the seat to give them a nice little princess and the pea situation, but now I'm trying to be more zen about the whole thing. There are worse afflictions in life than being a little too tall to be perfectly comfortable on an airplane.

What bothers me most about flying is the claustrophobia of being trapped in that little tin can with nowhere to go.