No Stupid Questions

most chairs allow the tray to be upright while the seat is reclined. if the seat wasn't meant to be reclined, it wouldn't be able to be reclined. demanding that someone else not perform an action that is permitted to them because you feel that is it is more convenient to you is...well... I'll let you figure that one out

PSA for anyone using a laptop during flights, the tray tables do not change angle or height when the person in front of you puts their seat all the way back. I almost had someone break my laptop screen a few years ago because the top of my screen got caught under the exposed edges where my tray table would fold up into, as the seat back came angling down towards my tray table. I was quick enough to be able to pull my laptop towards me and remove the screen before the full force was applied to the screen housing.

During cabin service which usually is the beginning and end of the flight, I’ll have it up. But it’s reclined while I’m watching the screen or sleeping. Person behind me can adjust, much like I adjust.

It’s a part of the plane. We all know the seat pitch is tight. We all know that the recline feature is there. If it bothers you, book the emergency row, fly first class, or don’t fly.

Flights are for sleeping, friend. I personally don't see any benefit from reclining my seat so I don't, but you should understand: reclined IS the default.

I put the seat back every single time I am on a flight. I have back issues and I get back pain if I sit upright like that for too long. If the flight attendants are asking to not put a seat back because the person behind me, then I’m going to ask for a new seat because sitting upright for 11 hours is absolute agony.

Sorry to the tall folks and whatnot, but I’m not flying somewhere just to be stuck in bed for 2 days unable to move because of back pain.

If the cabin crew tells you not to put your seat back, then don't put your seat back

You don't want to be kicked out mid-flight

I'm 6'4" (193cm). The seat in front of me reclining means my knees are pressed into the seat back, and that's uncomfortable for both of us. I don't want to do that to anyone else so I never put my seat back.

I never put my seat back. I think they should take that feature out of airplane seats entirely.

The problem is not the reclining seats, it's that we are now packed like cattle.

If I want to recline I'm reclining. My comfort shouldn't be impeded because it might inconvenience the person in back of me.

Complaining about someone using a seat as designed feels entitled to me. Sorry. I've always so confused how some people consider it encroaching. Sure it's all shared space, but that means you are sharing it with others. Reclining inherently uses that chairs fair space.

There is no etiquette. That's a flawed argument.

The seats are designed the way they are by the airlines. They allow the minimum amount of space for the maximum amount of money.

The airlines could make all seats non-reclining with very little effort. But they would lose money because non-reclining seats would be a dealbreaker to a small but not insignificant number of customers...me for one.

The airlines could also make seats more comfortable and reclinable by allowing more space for each seat. But they would lose money because they would sell less seats.

The seats recline the small amount they do because of the natural equilibrium that the market allows between comfort and profit. End of story.

You peasants arguing about which other peasant is a terrible person are blaming the wrong people.

Doesn't bother me if they recline - on an Airbus the seat base pivots so you get more knee room.

Related things that do annoy me - people dropping the seat back with a lot of force (why not recline gently so the person behind can adjust their stuff?), and people kicking the back of my seat.

A 12 hour flight is often going to involve a change in timezone, so I usually get some sleep, and for that I want my seat reclined ... plus keeping in one position for that amount of time is uncomfortable for my joints and backside.

I've never even tried to learn how to put the seats back, because it just seems rude to me. I wouldn't want the person in front of me doing that, so I don't do it to anyone else.

They paid for a seat, they can use it as they wish within its designed and permitted capabilities. You don't know what time zone they've come from or where they're going, when they sleep is their business. You don't know what back/ physical issues they may have. If you don't want to sit behind a reclining seat that upsets your delicate sensibilities don't buy a ticket that sits you behind a reclining seat that upsets your delicate sensibilities. Who the hell do you think you are to dictate what others should do because you don't like your own life choices.

I don't. I just feel bad for the person behind me :(

Nope.

We live in a society, and as far as I'm concerned, stealing the person behind you's very limited leg room is selfish.

Signed,

A tall person who WILL kick your seat when my knees are in agony.

I always keep mine back, except during meals and when it's not allowed. It's better for my back this way.

Some basic etiquette: Recline carefully - there are people with stuff behind you.

Never.

What are you, insane? It's their seat, doesn't affect your tray table at all, and reclines, at most 15°. Grow up...

I never put my seat back and consider it rude when other people do it. There was even one instance in which I made a stink I demanded the person in front of me put their seat back up (thankfully, they complied).

As others have pointed out, this is a situation created by the airlines and their shitty business models.

I don't usually, but I get the window seat to give me sometime to lie against.

The rule is that, unless you're in a first class seat that can impact the person behind you, you can recline.