Appropriate to recline seat in Economy?
Feb 28, 2010, 8:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PEK, SEA
Programs: United 1KMM; Hyatt Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 113
Appropriate to recline seat in Economy?
Does anyone do this? I sat in E- today SFO->SEA row 20A and wanted to take a nap, and looked around but didn't see anyone else recline, so I didn't do it. Is it appropriate to recline ur E- seat on short haul flights?
Feb 28, 2010, 9:11 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA MileagePlus cattle, DL SkyPesos peon, HHonors Blue
Posts: 431
I usually like the seat reclined, so when I sit down, I recline it, and then if someone were to say anything, I would gladly raise it. I realize that because no one has ever mentioned it to me doesn't mean I wasn't making them uncomfortable behind me, but I figure that if my reclining impinges on their room and they don't say anything then I can't help that. I guess alternatively I could ask beforehand. 
Feb 28, 2010, 9:37 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,026
If you are airborne, then fine. That is why the seat reclines. If you are seated in front of me (6'3") you will find that your seat no longer reclines anyway 
I never recline my seat on any flight less than 4 hours. Simple personal reason though....usually I am asleep before takeoff and/or asleep for landing. This means that I would have to be woken up by the FA's.
I never recline my seat on any flight less than 4 hours. Simple personal reason though....usually I am asleep before takeoff and/or asleep for landing. This means that I would have to be woken up by the FA's.
Feb 28, 2010, 10:01 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montrose, CO
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 548
Recline
I paid for that seat and it includes recline, I use it 90% of the time. It doesn't seem to be much of an issue in United Economy Plus. I have been asked a few times to not recline and I will give up 50% of it if they ask nice. At meal times it is appropriate to move it up.
Feb 28, 2010, 10:19 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: Ex. Somebody, now a disloyal Nobody
Posts: 317
It's a seat feature...but it sucks in E-
When I am in E-, I really dislike when people fully recline, mostly because I can not open my laptop more than halfway! I really think that if the seat pitch is going to be that tight, seat recline should be limited.
However, as much as it bums me out, I recognize the right of the person in front of me to use their seat to its fullest so I do not begrudge them the right to recline.
Personally, I either don't recline or recline very little when in economy seats. With a lumbar pillow, I find it more comfortable to not be recline. Strange but true (for me). However, if I feel like reclining, I will.
However, as much as it bums me out, I recognize the right of the person in front of me to use their seat to its fullest so I do not begrudge them the right to recline.
Personally, I either don't recline or recline very little when in economy seats. With a lumbar pillow, I find it more comfortable to not be recline. Strange but true (for me). However, if I feel like reclining, I will.
Feb 28, 2010, 10:35 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SAN
Programs: UA1K, AVIS First, Marriott Gold, *wood Gold
Posts: 59
ALWAYS okay.
If the seat reclines, it's your prerogative to use it. It is incumbent upon the person aft to work with the space provided.
I had a woman last week try to keep me from reclining at all in transcon C.
I'm training for an event, so I got up early to run 15 miles before the flight.
Recline is a feature. You paid for your ticket. Use the feature at will.
When the person in front of me reclines, and I can't open my laptop all the way, I don't open my laptop all the way. Period.
I had a woman last week try to keep me from reclining at all in transcon C.
I'm training for an event, so I got up early to run 15 miles before the flight.
Recline is a feature. You paid for your ticket. Use the feature at will.
When the person in front of me reclines, and I can't open my laptop all the way, I don't open my laptop all the way. Period.
Feb 28, 2010, 10:41 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Aloha
Feb 28, 2010, 10:44 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I am 6'2" with 34" inseam and my knees are jammed into the seat in front of me. E+ is not much better. E- your seat is not going to be able to recline and E+, depending on the plane it may or may not be able to because of my knees. What I hate are the people who slam their seat back and when it does not go anywhere bounce their back against it trying to get it to go back. I politely say my knees are there. Usually they say sorry but a few get mad and tell me to move my knees, I just say where? To these I always make a point of wiggling my knees every few seconds which makes them uncomfortable. If they were nice I make a point of not intruding as much as I can. But hey I can't make my legs shorter.
Feb 28, 2010, 11:11 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
I have never been asked not to recline, and I have never asked anyone to not recline. I say it is everyone's right and those that feel this somehow suggest bad manners or selfishness are fishing pretty hard.
Feb 28, 2010, 11:17 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: GS UA+3MM
Posts: 265
You can always pretend there is no one behind you, and that reclining wont bother anyone - but that's not always the case.
It may be your right to push the recline button and slide back. It is mine to limit the travel of your seat, possibly completely. I have the right not to have your seat back (or hair) in my face.
s
Feb 28, 2010, 11:19 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS 0.9MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Avis First
Posts: 41
I once had a man on an eastbound overnight trans-Atlantic in E+ get up and come ask me not to recline. Maybe this is bad of me - but I just laughed at him and told him he couldnt possible expect me on an overnight flight not to recline my seat - and that if he didnt like it he should ask the flight attendant for another seat.
Feb 28, 2010, 11:32 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: 1P, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 53
You paid for the seat, just recline it.
If someone asks, you can make a choice either to be curteous and move it up a bit or just leave it there. I've tried to work on my laptop many times in E- with the seat reclined in front of me, its just part of what you have to endure flying in E-.
If someone asks, you can make a choice either to be curteous and move it up a bit or just leave it there. I've tried to work on my laptop many times in E- with the seat reclined in front of me, its just part of what you have to endure flying in E-.
