Airlines are scrapping reclining seats in economy – but it’s actually good news for passengers
AIRLINES are scrapping reclining seats in their economy cabins – but it’s actually good news.
The controversial feature has long caused debate and has even resulted in serious altercations.
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Earlier this year, one passenger was caught punching the seat in front after an argument about reclining erupted on a flight.
It’s hoped that the removal of reclining seats will result in fewer mid-air arguments between passengers.
In an article in article in Conde Nast Traveller William McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project said: “There’s no question this can be good news for air travellers.
“The airlines have pitted passenger against passenger in the ‘right to recline’ wars and it’s led to discomfort, fist fights, arrests, and overall misery.
“When reclining inconveniences and disturbs the passengers behind, then it’s problematic.”
Budget airlines in Europe scrapped the option for passengers to put their seats back years ago, with Ryanair ditching the option back in 2004.
Airlines across the globe are opting to ditch reclining seats for lighter options.
Plane seats without reclining mechanisms are lighter than those seats that can fully recline.
For airlines lighter seats can only be a good thing because it’ll reduce the weight onboard and therefore the cost of jet fuel.
Other airlines are quietly installing “pre-reclined seats” that operate between fully upright and fully reclined back.
Not only is the mechanism heavy, but it can also break more often – resulting in a plane seat being unusable.
Non-reclining seats means there is less chance of a passenger being bumped on a flight if the airline is unable to fix the seat in time.
Jet2 was one of the first airlines to use pre-reclined seats back in 2009.
Airlines like British Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Finnair also use pre-reclined seats.
Plane seat reclining etiquette
Last year, two etiquette experts shared the exact moments when reclining a plane seat is never acceptable.
Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn’t recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop.
This is because the laptop can break if the seat reclines suddenly without any warning.
For example, one passenger had their laptop destroyed when the person in front of them reclined their seat back.
Before you recline your seat, it’s best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing.
Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, who is also an etiquette expert, added: “Avoid reclining when the majority of the passengers are enjoying their snack or meal.”
The etiquette experts also explained that it’s never acceptable to recline a seat if there are young children sitting behind you, or if the passenger is injured.
And if you do find yourself on a plane that has seats that recline, remember to never do it during take off or landing, as well as during meal service.
A flight attendant revealed to Sun Online Travel how to get the person in front of you to put their chair back up.
Meanwhile, a design student produced plans for double-decker seating arrangements to prevent seat reclining from affecting others.
