Reclined airline seats debate

[Golfingdad]

28 posts since this morning, when I last read this topic. This must me a hot point.

I think the "premium economy" seats cost about $29 to $59 more for domestic flights and you can get premium economy for overseas flights (>10 hours) for about 20% more. I sat in one and there was at least 4" legroom to spare, so unless someone had legs that are 8" longer than mine (which would make them almost 6'9" tall without adding any torso height) I would say it's pretty comfortable for anyone but the 0.01%.

That's why I think that this really doesn't have to be a hot button issue.  The worst I've experienced is American standard coach.  My knees are almost at the back of the seat in front of me before anybody has tried to recline the seat.  Not fun times.

But most other airlines, even with crappy, regular coach seats, if I sit up straight (if I don't, my back is going to be really pissed off at me) I have room.  And if I have room, most of the rest of you non-NBA players also have room. ;)

[Golfingdad]

That is true.  And to be honest, I try very hard to avoid passive aggression in my life.  I try to be up front and accept confrontation when it needs to be dealt with.  However... when someone reclines into my lap and I need to take care of business, I may be a bit more unsteady and require more support from the seat in front of me than normal.

Yes, it is a bit passive aggressive, but at the same time, what else are you going to do?  You're not going to say "excuse me, would you mind un-reclining your seat so I can get by?"  That is waaaaay more dickish than just bumping their seat, IMO.

If you are on the window and the other two seats are in your party, then great, you can go through their laps, but if they are strangers, you want to stay out of their space a lot more than you are worrying about the dude in front of you. :)

[Lihu]

Yes, it is a bit passive aggressive, but at the same time, what else are you going to do?  You're not going to say "excuse me, would you mind un-reclining your seat so I can get by?"  That is waaaaay more dickish than just bumping their seat, IMO.

If you are on the window and the other two seats are in your party, then great, you can go through their laps, but if they are strangers, you want to stay out of their space a lot more than you are worrying about the dude in front of you. :)

I don't consider accidentally bumping into another person's seat "dick-ish" at all.

Even one time a senior traveler pulled my seat back almost into his lap while getting out. I just looked up and he looked down and we both had a chuckle. The seat was kind of broken, so it leaned back a little more than usual when pulled down a bit.

[Big C]

I'm typing this post from 30,000 feet above sea level on my flight to Denver. The dude in front of me just reclined his seat. No, he did not ask me for permission.

I will confess that the reclining makes working on/using a laptop much more difficult. I've got the "T-Rex" arms going (where my elbows are bunched in tight to my chest) just to type this post. But the difference in leg room really is negligible. I'm guessing I have lost less than one inch of space between my knee and the seat back. I know I won't change the minds of the vocal minority who feel like reclining is the height of rudeness, but I will say to you folks that I think you are out of your mind.

[Lihu]

I'm typing this post from 30,000 feet above sea level on my flight to Denver. The dude in front of me just reclined his seat. No, he did not ask me for permission.

I will confess that the reclining makes working on/using a laptop much more difficult. I've got the "T-Rex" arms going (where my elbows are bunched in tight to my chest) just to type this post. But the difference in leg room really is negligible. I'm guessing I have lost less than one inch of space between my knee and the seat back. I know I won't change the minds of the vocal minority who feel like reclining is the height of rudeness, but I will say to you folks that I think you are out of your mind.

I don't use a laptop on a plane anymore. My cell phone screen is so big now, I can pretty much do all my email and blogging on it.

Tablets are also a good option, some can even be used for CAD.

[jimmyc]

I'm typing this post from 30,000 feet above sea level on my flight to Denver. The dude in front of me just reclined his seat. No, he did not ask me for permission.

I will confess that the reclining makes working on/using a laptop much more difficult. I've got the "T-Rex" arms going (where my elbows are bunched in tight to my chest) just to type this post. But the difference in leg room really is negligible. I'm guessing I have lost less than one inch of space between my knee and the seat back. I know I won't change the minds of the vocal minority who feel like reclining is the height of rudeness, but I will say to you folks that I think you are out of your mind.

Amen.

[boogielicious]

Just flew to Singapore yesterday.  No issues with leg room in Business Class.  I could see where it may be cumbersome in coach though.  I think if the seats were better designed for comfort, reclining would not be an issue.

[billchao]

I don't recline on short flights, but I will If I'm flying to Asia. I'm a small guy, though, so people reclining in front of me doesn't bother me. I usually don't even take off my seatbelt on a flight. Comfort isn't really an issue for me on planes.