Is reclining your aeroplane seat rude?

baccus

Reclining your aeroplane seat is a topic that often sparks debate, and understandably so, given the increasingly tight confines of modern cabins. Personally, I believe it's about finding a balance between comfort and courtesy. Reclining is part of the design, and passengers should feel entitled to make use of it, particularly on long-haul flights where rest is essential. However, it’s important to remain mindful of the person behind you. A quick glance or polite word can go a long way in maintaining harmony.

The type of flight does matter, of course. On a short domestic trip, the need to recline may not feel as pressing, while on an overnight or international flight, a degree of adjustment seems entirely reasonable. Ultimately, it comes down to exercising common courtesy and remembering that everyone onboard is navigating the same limited space. A little thoughtfulness helps ensure everyone can enjoy the journey as comfortably as possible.

jtmorri

Reclining an aeroplane seat as a passenger is allowed for the general flight duration. Attendants always ask people to place their seat into an upright position when meals are served, for take-off and landing. It is acceptable to recline your seat on both long and short flights as we don't know if someone is sleep deprived, unwell, anxious, has postural issues etc and hence will benefit from reclining their seat. It is a shared space and not our own personal space like at home, so I feel as a public space with its own rules we need to adhere to and appreciate that they are for the comfort of all and be tolerant.

ab

I don’t think seats are seemingly getting smaller, they actually are getting smaller. Airlines have either reconfigured seating or installed redesigned seats in a bid to pack more paying bums in each flight… to the detriment of their cargo, ‘us.’
I recently did a short flight in economy and I genuinely felt like I was a tightly packed sardine. When the person in front decided to recline their seat, it felt like an intrusion into my personal space. I imagine in rough turbulence I could have head butt the thing and been left with a bloody nose. I presume that’s why they usually tell passengers to stow their trays away and place their seats in an upright position during landing and rough turbulence.
Now I know some people are thinking so what, if I reclined my seat, I’d be fine…one, on a long flight I cannot sleep on plane, I need to lie down to sleep; two, if our positions were reversed, why would I want to impose my wishes on your comfort and wellbeing? I recline, so you must, is that fair to you? No. And yet people do, the seats are designed to recline… so why not. Personally, I simply don’t recline my seat, if I must recline, I check to see the person behind me has reclined theirs first. And I know full well, that if they get up and want to go to the toilet, they’ll need to limber up first.
The airlines are responsible for creating this situation. Maybe it’s all part of a cunning plan to make economy so unbearable for people that we all want premium economy (so we don’t have to enjoy our neighbours’ farts) and economy becomes obsolete. 😂
I’m resolved to never do another long-haul flight unless I can pay for business class. So that’s no more traveling for me. LMAO

Mariam31980369

I think in a short flight it's very rude to recline at least beyond the minimum but in an overnight flight what else can people do? Flight seats are the most uncomfortable thing ever so we should all be accepting and uncomfortable together when it's time to sleep. I think it's also ridiculous that the seats are made to recline with no space to do so. Sorry to the person watching TV behind me but I gotta sleep😴. We both uncomfortable anyways.

Emily3267

I don't think it's rude, it's a normal way to use it.

wilsob

quite acceptable ,especially on long flights otherwise why would they be installed

jilln

Ive just come home on a singapore airlines plane. I have really noticed how small the space is to sit in. It was especially hard when having a meal, so people need to be mindful and have consideration for others when reclining their seats.

marktime

No not rude with a bit of common politeness on long haul flights. Perhaps it is the other way round, peoples backsides are getting bigger

manson

not rude if was the airlines should remove the recline function

bern57

No its not rude.


Aeroplane seats in the main all have recline built in.

Just be mindful of when to recline. If it's meal time then don't recline. Check before you recline.

jatz50

No its not rude.


Aeroplane seats in the main all have recline built in.

Just be mindful of when to recline. If it's meal time then don't recline. Check before you...

Agreed with what you said. I don't mind if the person in front of me declines their seat on short or long flights but yes to respect when people are eating with their trays down. I have seen many accidents happen with drinks and foods when someone in front reclines. Not good at all.

hools

I recently flew in Virgin and then Jet Star, seems interesting that Virgin not only better service but a little extra leg room and Jet Star extremely squishy, so yes if the flight leg is under 3 hrs , common courtesy needs to apply don't recline the seat unless you ask, and accept the refusal with grace

Ellessri

I always check to make sure the person sitting behind isnt eating or otherwise going to be inconvenienced before reclining my seat, and dont tend to bother at all on shorter flights

Samantha3260

No - It’s a part of flight/seating features.

Bigbear

Given that the seats have the ability to recline, its a bit unreasonable to get angry at someone for reclining when all they are doing is taking advantage of a feature built into the seat..
That said, I personally try to be considerate and only recline if I really need to... usually just on longer flights when I would like to sleep.
I personally have no problem with people reclining regardless of the flight distance, the seats recline for a reason and as long as the button is there, people will use it.
Maybe reclining should be mandatory instead, and then everyone would still have the same personal space...
I put mine upright for mealtimes and I also only recline partway back and often as soon as the belt lights are off, people might be on a short flight but it might be a connecting flight following a long haul.
I would suggest that all but the very tallest people who say the seat is hitting their knees are sitting quit slumped in their seat to start with. The intrusion into your space is really not that much at all especially at knee height.
It's selfish to expect people to not recline outside of meal times.

ellamay

I don't think it is rude. I am sure seats are designed to recline , leaving enough room others sitting behind

baccus

While reclining your seat on a flight remains a personal choice, it is essential to consider the comfort of fellow passengers, especially as space in economy class has become increasingly limited. On long-haul flights, reclining may be more acceptable, as passengers often need rest. However, on short-haul flights, particularly during meal services or busy periods, it’s courteous to avoid doing so. Ultimately, a balance between personal comfort and respect for others is key, and it’s always considerate to check with the person behind before reclining.

Radda

Although passengers are within their rights to recline their seats as they wish, I would still at least take a quick glance to ensure that leaning back won't hurt the person at the back, and even politely inform them that I plan to recline. Yes, i would not like someone in front of me to recline their seat, thats why I wouldnt do it to others. The seats on the plane have small spaces in between them as such already and reclining the seat would make it even smaller. So uncomfortable for those seating in the back. I would only do it in case of medical issues otherwise lets respect each other 😉

Yqsymnx

The function is there, the builder would have considered space requirements. Issue may not just be the recliner, but the sizes of passengers

James3243

Not rude. Being able to recline your seat is something that you pay for. Yes it takes up space from the person behind but that's not your fault.
If everyone stopped doing it airlines would utilise that minimal amount of space and out more seats in that don't recline (ryanair)

Zanyt

I do not recline my seat as it is rude as the seating is already small enough without seats being reclined. I can remember 1 flight when the person in front of me reclined their seat and I had to get out to go to the toilet and as there was not much room I had to grab onto their seat so I did not fall and in grabbing the seat I pull their hair. I did apologies but I did notice that when I got back to my seat their seat was no longer reclined.

sweetanne

Yes! Always reclined.

possiepye

I don’t recline my seat as I think of the person behind. It really annoys me when the person in front reclines their seat as you have less room & it’s squashy.