British Airways axes seat recline on short-haul flights

[bushtuckerman]

The following article is sure to create some interest among AFF members. Although a little thin on detail, it seems that rather than completely eliminating seat recline, the new seats will have a soft recline, which is code for limited recline. Past discussions about seat recline have been interesting.

British Airways to axe reclining seats on some flights

Cheers
F

 

[Ansett]

Sits back with the popcorn and awaits the action.

 

[cmon0005]

Just when I thought BA couldn't get any more LCC-ish... however saying that I would probably still fly with them on short haul intra EU flights, not much better choices out there, at least I get lounge access with BA I guess.

 

[dajop]

In theory, I like it, as it should avoid the knee-room crunch associated with people reclining.

In practice, the knee-room crunch is worse as invariably they cut down the seat pitch and squeeze more seats in. So instead of having knee crunch only if someone reclines, you have it for the whole flight.

 

[moa999]

Sits back with the popcorn and awaits the action

Was a pretty negative reaction when Jetstar tried this in 2011.
Think they had 6 320s delivered without recline but then reversed it and changed the seats.

But in the UK I believe most of RyanAir seats don't recline

 

[snabbu]

I'm most certainly in the "reclining on short haul Y flights should be a crime" camp.

 

[UP4014]

I generally don't recline on short flights away in consideration of others, unless I notice they are really short!

But I would guess BA thinks there is money in lessor seat purchases.

 

[Limewood]

I dont recline and refuse to go on JQ as I dislike a front seat in my face even PE (they call it J), pity I lost my (now banned) Knee Defender.

 

[JohnK]

Great news for those that don't recline.

 

[Ausbt]

I had an LHR-AUH in Y late last year, was one row back from a bulkhead in the middle group of 4 seats. The family in front did not recline at all for the entire 7 hours. I wanted to hug them.

 

[dajop]

Great news for those that don't recline.

Not really! The devil is in the detail, when you see comments like this (in linked article) :

A spokesperson says the changes will also allow the airline to "offer more low fares to customers".

This is marketing speak for "we are going to reduce the legroom so we can fit more seats onto the plane". So the new legroom will be the same as it is currently is when people are reclined, and less than it is when people aren't reclined.

 

[Mattg]

While they’re at it, perhaps IAG can remove the recline function from Iberia Express seats. The legroom on their A320s is the worst I’ve experienced on any airline. This was the legroom without the seat in front reclined:



When the guy in front reclined, I could not sit in the seat properly without my knees being crushed. If BA is going to have the same pitch on their planes then removing recline is the only humane option IMHO.

 

[JohnK]

This is marketing speak for "we are going to reduce the legroom so we can fit more seats onto the plane". So the new legroom will be the same as it is currently is when people are reclined, and less than it is when people aren't reclined.

Missed those comments. That can't be good for anyone.

Surely they'd be better off if they removed seats and allow people to sit/stand anywhere. You'd be able to fit more and make more money. And cleaning would be much easier too.

 

[Pleb Status]

This has been all over the 'papers' in the UK over the past week. The articles normally mention the 'less than Ryanair' 29 inch seat pitch as well.

The removal of all seat recline in Y is the only positive here...

 

[opusman]

I think Lucky had an article on it.

No change at the front of the cabin. Behind the exit rows, 28 inch pitch, new slimline seats and no recline.

Since J is variable there will often still be some Y seats with greater pitch and recline, from exit rows going forward. And hey, at least they'll now be able to say that J has more legroom than Y!

 

[amaroo]

Sounds like a good idea to me...

 

[Ekka]

Great news for those that don't recline.

Marvellous idea. While I don't agree with the very many people who believe that those who recline their seats on daytime flights of any duration or of night flights of less than five hours should be lined up and shot, I do think that such selfish people should be lined up and put in the hold (as long as the hold is pressurised and supplied with water, some basic form of toilet facility and the odd blanket to be shared among every dozen).

That should keep them alive, and sort them out.

 

[Isochronous]

BA - bloody awful!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

... I do think that such selfish people should be lined up and put in the hold (as long as the hold is pressurised and supplied with water, some basic form of toilet facility and the odd blanket to be shared among every dozen).

Right next to the people who could also recline and maintain their space so everyone is happy... but instead refuse [to recline] and then complain?

 

[Ekka]

Right next to the people who could also recline and maintain their space so everyone is happy... but instead refuse [to recline] and then complain?

Hard to ascertain what this contributor means. The ellipsis may have been used instead of the appropriate dash, as is common with the young, who have been taught little grammar, syntax, spelling, or punctuation.