Hi all

Here's a subject that's close to my heart - literally.

I flew to the US on Air NZ not too long ago -my longest flight to date. Yet I did not get anywhere near the backache that I had experienced on previous airlines. I thought it might have had something to do with Air New Zealand's economy seats but on reflection I think this was not the reason.

One major difference this time was that I did not at any stage recline my seat. Normally when you recline your seat, some of the weight that was being carried by your spine is instead carried by the seat but as you are not fully reclined your are not fully supported by the seat.

My theory is that your spine was not built to carry your weight or part of your weight at an angle and that when you recline in a seat not fully reclined) for a period of time either your spine finds weight unnaturally distributed on one side of the spinal column or alternatively reclining gives a slight sideways pressure on your spine.

Have my fellow flyertalkers had the same experience with airline seats?

Theories and experiences please

cheers Peter