Probably the case. If this is the case then I think this should be one of those areas where FAs exercise a little bit of common sense and ignore a rule which has no *actual* safety implications.

I find it interesting, because NZ makes a point of telling you in its safety briefings that if you're in business class you can have your seat in any position you like (including, presumably, fully flat) for takeoff. I wonder how they got that certified. My guess is that lying flat on an angled lie-flat seat is a pretty bad way to be sitting, if the plane does happen to go off the edge of the runway.