Using laptop in economy class
 

I have a 12.1" widescreen notebook, will it be possible to use this in economy class in etihad?

It'll be possible but it'll be tight. I managed with my 12" on Ryanair.. just :D

It's tough, especially if somebody reclines in front of you. Not impossible though. Try to get an asile with your mouse hand on the outside, makes for tight spaces a bit better.

That's the problem I have faced: people reclining--of course, I recline too. It's tight, but I guess that's just one of those things you have to get used to.

If you know you need to use your laptop, you might try to get a bulkhead seat... at least then no one is reclining into you and your laptop.

William

And get an Thinkpad X41 or a tiny Vaio. They are much better travel companions.

I usually fly UA E+, but I recently flew AA in LRTC with my tiny (< 3 lbs.) Vaio subnotebook with 10.4" display. When the guy in front reclined, the top edge of the laptop barely fit in the space carved out for the seatback tray, and I wondered how those with bigger laptops were able to use them! Fortunately I was only watching DVDs, but it would have been very uncomfortable to type.

Definitely try for UA E+, bulkhead, or exit row, if you can.

I watch TV from my TiVo on a 14.1" in coach. When someone reclines, it can be difficult, but since I'm not typing generally it's okay.

The trick is not to use the tray table. Use the computer on your lap. Since that's a few inches lower you get the extra space.

As far as working goes, the biggest problem for me is when someone is when there is no empty seat next to me. I can't type at all with my elbows tucked in front of me. But if that seat is open, it's okay. But that's also on my 12".

On a flight into Atlanta Monday, I was in a bulkhead window and someone was sitting next to me, so I was scrunched into the corner. I got about two hours of work done on a TabletPC in Tablet mode. Of cousre they forced my eamil recipients to read my handwriting, but I did get to bed earlier that night.

Cromely.

I have a 12" Apple iBook, and it works well for me in tight seating. (No longer available new, but I'm sure you can find one on eBay...)

I have a 15" laptop and find that being in coach (which I am most of the time it seems) and watching a DVD is no problem. I set the laptop, on my lap and if the person in front of me reclines I then tilt the bottom front of the laptop up and adjust the screen so I can still see it. That way it does not hit the seat in front of me.
I can also type for 15-20 minutes this way w/o any real problem.

I think a 12" laptop would be just fine.

Obviously I am going to try that, but I will have to get to the airport real early :D

You can use it in coach for sure. You just may have to bend the screen a little more then you want and keep the laptop on your lap and not the traytable. Hense the name, LAPtop. :)

If I'm just watching a movie rather than typing, I set it on my lap and fold it up a bit with the keyboard against my stomach.

NAH... just check in online... :)

Or exit row.