British Airways axes seat recline on short-haul flights

[MEL_Traveller]

Are you trying to say something?

Indeed! If everyone reclines personal space is maintained and everyone can get comfortable. It's only those who refuse to recline, based on nothing but principle, that create problems complaining about recliners.

Evidence suggests reclining is better for the discs in your back and relieving pressure. I go with the research on this and choose to recline.

 

[Saul Geffen]

I get a sore back on flights in economy. Its less painful with even a slight recline. I usually check that the person behind me doesn't have a Tetris block on the tray table and then recline a few inches.

 

[Pleb Status]

I find reclining in Y is actually uncomfortable...

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I have flown 48 short haul BA sectors in the last 14 or so months either in row 1 or first row of Y. I cannot remember the last time the person in front of me reclined even the J pax in front of me in Y. As such, I don't think this will have a material impact as down the front at least where there are more FFs, people generally don't recline so provided the legroom is not actively removed I don't think this will be a particularly negative move but should really only be implemented on those aircraft operating Dom or very short haul flights to AMS, BRU, LUX etc.

 

[JohnK]

Indeed! If everyone reclines personal space is maintained and everyone can get comfortable. It's only those who refuse to recline, based on nothing but principle, that create problems complaining about recliners.

Evidence suggests reclining is better for the discs in your back and relieving pressure. I go with the research on this and choose to recline.

I'm uncomfortable reclining even in business class. I prefer to sit in an upright position and that definitely helps my discs.

I wish there was a way to avoid chronic recliners. Bulkhead helps but can't always get it unless one pays extra for exit row. I would love the idea of a mini cabin where seats do not recline at all. I think a few more would also be interested. We had similar for smoking/non smoking but airlines don't want to go down that path.

 

[amaroo]

I'm all for it... well done BA.

 

[dajop]

I would love the idea of a mini cabin where seats do not recline at all. I think a few more would also be interested. We had similar for smoking/non smoking but airlines don't want to go down that path.

It's a wonder it hasn't crossed the minds of those in charge of ancillary revenue in LCC's as a way of getting more people to pay for seat allocation. Or even charge more again for guaranteed recline or guaranteed non-recline parts of the aircraft!

Oh hang on, a lot of them don't allow recline so they can squeeze in another couple of rows ....

 

[JohnK]

Oh hang on, a lot of them don't allow recline so they can squeeze in another couple of rows ....

That's not the case for long haul though isn't it?

 

[laffer]

Those who recline should be banished from civilised flying.

I had tolaugh recently though. On an TAP Portgual flight recently, I lent forward in my seat to scratch my knee. The person in front reclined with such force (not the slow tentative recline of someone who feels guilty about breaking the informal recline ban that exists in my mind) that it hit me in the head.

The passenger next to me witnessed it and just made crazy eyes. I was so tempted to thrust a knee forward into the seat. I did not. But I did make a point of grabbing the top of the reclined chair when I got up from my seat and giving it a good shake as he watched his movie.

I know on reflection that he did not know where I was placed when he hit the super charge recline but man oh man it reinforced why I hate the recline.

 

[Rossmurdoch]

I'm in favour of no recline of short haul flights.

 

[Mattg]

I flew on one of BA's new A321s with the newer-style seats last month. The plane was only 3 days old when I took my flight.

I noticed that the seats in front of the first exit row were the same as BA's existing seats which are reasonably comfortable, have adjustable headrests and can recline. Behind the exit row, however, the seats were all those ultra-thin Recaro slimline seats which had less seat pitch, no adjustable headrests and didn't recline. They didn't look great. They've also removed the business class (sorry, Club Europe) curtain.

 

[clifford]

They've also removed the business class (sorry, Club Europe) curtain.

And also the tray between the seats in CE, I understand.

 

[drron]

I am another with back problems causing a spinal canal stenosis and my back is definitely better if I don't recline.Fortunately having taken up Tony Hancock's advice and obtained BA gold they put us in row 1 so great legroom.
And yes on our flight LHR-FRA it was a new plane and table between seats had gone.

 

[Mattg]

And also the tray between the seats in CE, I understand.

Indeed.

I also noticed that there were fewer toilets than before.