If you travel J you can usually hit the ground running, so for long-haul I would see it as good business sense. My travel these days is all for leisure, but when I go long distance I get an additional two days vacation because I don't waste time being jet-lagged. It's good value for me.

I think that seats on short-haul do not need to recline, a policy adopted by easyJet and Ryanair with which I am pleased. However, I think on a long-haul most people want to recline, I certainly do.

I don't tend to find, even though I am quite tall, that that makes all that much difference to my comfort so long as I can recline as well. However, what I would ask is that anyone in front of me who does wish to recline does so slowly or says they are about to do so first, as that allows me to change my position to allow it. Otherwise, it can be rather painful. The same applies to raising the stupidly-designed armrests on 737s that cut into knee-room.

I was on a National Express coach (bus) last weekend, and I noted that the automated welcome announcement included a request to passengers that they should be considerate when reclining their seats to avoid causing injury or damaged items on tray tables. I thought that was a good idea. Everyone has the right to recline, but also the responsibility to check that they don't hit anything, and if necessary request politely[1] the person behind to move the item/themselves a bit to accommodate it before doing so.

[1] Though there are almost no reasons in this case for such a request to be reasonably denied, there is no harm in being polite.

Neil

Agree, other than reviewing paperwork - there isn't enough space in an economy seat to use a laptop "properly". But personally, I would prefer to fly the day before and have a night's proper sleep in a hotel than fly business, if there's a choice between the two. But that's mainly because I can't sleep on planes well at all, whatever class I'm in.

Neil

The arrogance of some people that cannot stand the person in front of them reclining.

I have a plan. Pay for the seat in front of you too.

IMO, this is a regional issue. The rest of the world has no problem with reclining. It makes me laugh to no end.

What an odd post. My clients are paying me by the hour when I'm on a flight and expect me to use that time efficiently. If you don't like that I have to work, take it up with them.

I could not agree more. Even if I am not on the clock, I use my time in the air to get some work done. If I can get my work done when I am on the road, it allows me to spend more quality time with my family when I do get home.

Moderator note
 

As many of you regular TravelBuzz forum readers know, seat reclining is one of our most controversial topics because of the passion some members bring to it.

To keep the thread open, let's avoid personalized comments toward other members. Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, co-moderator.

My clients pay me half rate for travel time. To me, that is an acknowledgement that my time is being used but that it is not being directly used on the project/contract. If they expected me to work on a flight then I would expect them to pay for a business class seat to facilitate that, as I cannot guarantee that I can work on my laptop if the person in front of me reclines their seat.

So, in context of the thread, what class do you fly and if you are in Y then how does reclining the seat affect you getting work done? What do you think about preventing the seat from reclining?

The reclining issue is really a big deal in terms of getting work done, and I agree that in a standard coach seat, if the person in front of me reclines it is not possible to use most laptops. I generally choose to take connections over direct flights if it means that I will likely be upgraded, or can get an exit row or adequate E+ seat (i.e. not P.S. to JFK). I actually get work done on the flight, so it ends up being a net gain for the client.

That said, I think it's my responsibility to make sure I get a seat where reclining will not prevent me from working. If I choose a standard economy seat, I have no right to prevent the person in front of me from reclining.

OMG can we NOT have yet another one of these threads?!

Y vs J isn't a simple cash analysis
 

It's impossible to comment directly on your analysis without many more metrics. But, suffice it to say that it all depends on the value of an employee (and I do not mean personal esteem, but the value of their time) and the productivity you expect on arrival. If an employee works all day, flies TATL to Europe, landing in the local AM and you expect them to accomplish sophistcated work, the value of F/J is self-apparent. On the other hand, if you send them a day early or at least on a daytime flight, you lose productivity, but they are rested (although you've paid to keep them on the road).

To me, time is money. Some of those on this thread apparently have jobs where there is a point where they get their work done and that's it. Many always have more work they could do and generate revenue. Recline or not, it's hard to accomplish too much in Y and more than possible in F/J (somewhat overbroad depending on exact configurations).

One also has to look at cash outlay. Clearly J costs a lot more than Y and it has to be paid for in cash upfront. While it may be revenue-enhancing in the long-term, that doesn't help this instant's operating budget. Thus, the soundness of the company and ability to make investments such as J matter a great deal.

Finally, it's not a good analysis to say that the money used for J could be used to pay an employee a bonus. That is true and there are many employees who are strapped and might jump at that. But, from the business perspective, it may not be a good deal. Sort of like offering someone the value of a laptop if they are willing to go without. There's some who would be happy to give up the laptop. But, it's not likely in the business' best interest.

Surely most majors have looked into offering standard seats that don't recline and premium priced seats that recline. They haven't missed many opportunities for extra revenue.

I disagree with it - I am in pain when I sit in the position of a standard economy seat, and as soon as it is permitted, I recline the seat to take pressure off my back (slowly). I wouldn't fly with an airline that had no recline, regardless of flight duration.

I've got an idea, lets start one about planes being delayed to fix a problem with a seat or lav in Steerage Class and how totally wrong and disgusting it is that airlines would even consider the comfort/safety of those sitting in back when they have full fare paying customers up front. :cool: