Pitch versus Degrees-of-Recline
 

I have always wondered why airlines and those discussing miles talk about pitch (the distance between rows of seats) instead of degrees of recline (per seat).

I mean, I know why we talk about pitch because those are the stats provided by the airlines. But aren't we as concerned (if not more concerned) about degrees of recline.

After all, you could have 38 inches of pitch but the seat might only recline, say, 10 degrees.

This is especially important when it comes to business class products. Sure, it's great to have three feet of space in front of one's seat but wouldn't you rather have a 80 inch pitch seat that reclines to 80 degrees than a 85 inch pitch seat that reclines to 65 degrees.

I'm just wonderin'

We are concerned about both, but probably more re: degree of recline if you accept the proposition that if you aren't in the aisle, it will be nearly impossible to get out regardless of the pitch. If you have very long legs, pitch is more important. If you sat in F on AS, you would see that some seats only recline about 3" which is just nasty on a long flight.

What I don't understand is why they have degress and inches in the same tables - can't they convert these for us poor readers? Recline is no. 1. in my book.

I don't follow you. Convert what?

If we're only going to hear one, pitch has got to be it. Who cares if you can recline to a fully flat position if you don't have the pitch to make that possible?

Also, for general comfort and the ability to read, use a laptop, etc., pitch is still going to be more important, to me.

d

Though pitch is generally related to degrees of recline, the relationship doesn't always correlate 100%. For example, Qantas has an industry standard 50" for its business class. However, recline is pretty miserable.

In many magazines they give recline in both inches and degrees - this makes it hard to compare recline between airlines. Some airlines have good pitch but very limited recline - this is important because recline is what makes for good sleep.

I'd certainly like to see recline statistics on various airlines/planes.

I'd know to avoid those terrible planes that have huge reclines. They were made for air rage.