forward-sliding recline is much better, and I can see the benefit to allowing middle and aisle passengers something to lean their heads against, but I can't see that this is any better than what we currently have. There's nothing stopping the airlines from cramming in as many rows as they can like they do now. Take a look at that middle picture that shows the man sitting in the middle seat. It looks like the screen he's playing with is about one foot from his face.