In the context of the OP, which was talking about how the trophy was a great pax to have in front of him, since it didn't recline. A lie flat reclines, but doing so doesn't affect the seat behind it. A standard domestic first seat also reclines, somewhat impinging on the person seated behind it.

ETA: Just saw that this discussion was moved over from a UA thread about celebrity passengers, so the context was lost. The OP of that thread noted that the America's Cup was on a flight with him, in first, and was a great "passenger" to have in front of him, since the trophy didn't want to recline its seat.