Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
AFAIK the norm is that the row in front of an exit row doesn't recline, which would include the first exit row on many DL aircraft configurations. The rationale is that if the seat in front of an exit row is reclined, this impedes evacuation in an emergency. However, the second (or last) exit row IME does recline. YMMV of course as this is DL.
That is my understanding as well. It seems that perhaps the issue is A319/A320 configuration????
Edit to add that I got a call from Delta and we looked at seat maps, seatguru, other airlines 319 and this seems to be an issue with Delta. The woman I spoke to is writing this up as in the end she was as confused as I was at to why.