Just want to add...
If he didn't want the seat in front of him to recline, he should of either...
a) book a seat directly behind one that does not recline
b) tried to get a bulk head seat
c) buy 2 seats, the one he's sitting in and the one directly in front of him.
I know some time I want extra room on a flight that I know will be really really full, I'll buy a extra seat since the airline I use only have coach. (with a good amount of legroom too). Like I know when I'm traveling with someone else, we'll buy out the middle seat and use that as a "coffee" table.