Passengers kicked off flight over seat recline spat

[Edge]

Am I the only one that is wondering where I can get my hands on a knee defender?

 

[hossein_au]

They were in Economy Plus.
People who pay extra to sit in premium cabins have every right to recline.

Last time I flew BA in PE the recline was very intrusive, way more than i would have ever noticed in any Y seat. And the guy in front had his seat fully reclined most of the flight, even during meal.

 

[Denali]

Charge PAX $20 on Dom/NZ flights and $100 on Int flights if they want to recline.

Ah. But I have a condition/disability and a doctors certificate which means I HAVE to recline my seat and you cant charge me for that. :evil:

 

[boomy]

Or in most cases on UA are sitting there because they have status. Which is a different form of paying for it.

It is very common in the US and upgrades should be treated the same as payed tickets.

 

[TomVexille]

It is very common in the US and upgrades should be treated the same as payed tickets.

Absolutely. It's not even considered an upgrade though. It's a published status benefit that allows you to select an E+ seat for free, sort of like a QF WP1 being able to select row 4.

What I was trying to say before was that it's just a different form of paying for the seat selection, but in no way is it a lesser way of paying for it. On UA a non-status pax could pay as much as $79 for an E+ seat on the random EWR-DEN flight I just looked up. To be able to select that same seat at booking for free, you will have needed to have already spent $5,000 with UA. Different, but by no means less.

 

[boomy]

Last time I flew BA in PE the recline was very intrusive, way more than i would have ever noticed in any Y seat. And the guy in front had his seat fully reclined most of the flight, even during meal.

Last time I sat in row 2 on QF J B737 someone reclined his seat all the way and it was uncomfortable during the meal but what could I do? The person in front of me was sleeping and pax have every right to recline in premium cabins IMO. I did learn my lesson and since then I only choose the 1st row.

 

[serfty]

Charge PAX $20 on Dom/NZ flights and $100 on Int flights if they want to recline.

You have it wrong - it shouldbe theother way - charge those who wish to sit in a seat into which none can recline - it is only fair as the non recliners are the minority.

Ah. But I have a condition/disability and a doctors certificate which means I HAVE to recline my seat and you cant charge me for that. :evil:

see above ...

 

[JohnK]

They were in Economy Plus.
People who pay extra to sit in premium cabins have every right to recline.

Not sure I agree.

Qantas premium economy if I cannot get exit row/bulkhead my flight is ruined as the recline from seat in front is too much. The few times I have had an op-up on full flights I would have preferred to stay in 43H in economy. Actually VS was the same.

For the people who think recline is their God given right because they have paid for it don't forget I have also paid the same to have a comfortable flight.

 

[TomVexille]

Not sure I agree.

Qantas premium economy if I cannot get exit row/bulkhead my flight is ruined as the recline from seat in front is too much. The few times I have had an op-up on full flights I would have preferred to stay in 43H in economy. Actually VS was the same.

For the people who think recline is their God given right because they have paid for it don't forget I have also paid the same to have a comfortable flight.

Where in your contract with the airline does it say they must carry you in comfort?

 

[Denali]

....
For the people who think recline is their God given right because they have paid for it don't forget I have also paid the same to have a comfortable flight.

But isn't it a passengers right to recline their seat on a seat that is reclinable (is that even a word?).

If the person behind me tells me to put my seat forward because they are eating, of course I would (I do this anyway) but if you want my seat forward because its pissing you off or you want to work on a laptop. I really don't give a poop and will recline.

Doesn't make me a bad passenger, Im simply using all the facilities of the plane/seat provided to me.

 

[Anna]

Tempers boiling over between pax also here in another incident - Man 'punched sleeping passenger' on international flight to Sydney

 

[Denali]

Tempers boiling over between pax also here in another incident - Man 'punched sleeping passenger' on international flight to Sydney

My husband has woken up more than once with me placing a pillow on his face due to lactose induced snoring and applying pressure.

I must try a punch in the face next time.

 

[seanpodge]

Even as someone who doesn't recline much and is about 1.9 m tall and therefore in their target market, I still think that the Knee Defender should be banned from all flights. A commercial flight is a public space and one has to conduct themselves appropriately. To decide to take it upon yourself to deliberately disable a function of another passenger's chair is just selfishness. It's like those people on a crowded bus, train or tram who put their bag on the seat next to them so that they can have more room. The correct response is to sit on the bag and the correct response for Knee Defenders is to kick them off the flight and ban the passenger from the airline. I mean, where else could this lead? Someone making a product that disables AVOD screens/reading lights because the light prevents them sleeping? A barrier product for aisle passengers so that window seat passengers can't disturb them to go to the toilet?

I usually don't recline on short flights ( >3 hours) and even on long haul I don't do it all that much. That said, I think it's very unrealistic to expect that on long haul that all passengers should have their seat upright for the entire flight, especially for overnight flights. As long as the meal trays have been taken away, then I think it's pretty much open slather on such flights. If the person in from leans, then just lean yourself.

 

[Ausbt]

I decline to recline on < 2 hours. It's certainly rare I think to see reclining on the peak-hour east-coast triangle. Fly mid-morning to mid-arvo and you notice it. Had an irritating one yesterday. Was seated 3A so reclining not an issue, but I couldn't work out what this continual thumpity-bump was all about from 4A. Caught the reflection in the window and this clown had his headphones on and was 'drumming' along to the beat of the music for a good 20 minutes. Took all my willpower not to recline, but I refuse to lower myself to the level of those who sit in rows 4-7 (ie SGs).

 

[Dr Ralph]

The reclining mechanism should be removed from all seats.

 

[Steelo]

Can't resist a comment. There is no need for reclining seats on most domestic flights. It is intrusive and those who immediately recline after take off have no empathy -and there is no shortage of self centred travellers. I observed a traveller last week who walked down the front once seat belt sign came off and demanded to know when the food was being served and stated "or do I have to wait till your ready". Similarly people who recline on domestic short flights. On the other hand on long haul and night flights it's fair enough -but courtesy protocols could be promoted by airlines. But nothing beats those who dig their feet or knees into you back.

 

[samh004]

I'd have spilt some (hot) water on him/his computer too.

I believe people should be allowed to recline... perhaps be courteous during meal services, but some recline helps during sleep... sometimes.

 

[blackcat20]

Not sure I agree.

Qantas premium economy if I cannot get exit row/bulkhead my flight is ruined as the recline from seat in front is too much. The few times I have had an op-up on full flights I would have preferred to stay in 43H in economy. Actually VS was the same.

For the people who think recline is their God given right because they have paid for it don't forget I have also paid the same to have a comfortable flight.

Ruined? Really? Long haul flying is rarely comfortable, unless you're up the pointy end. And no was am I spending 14 hours sitting bolt upright because the person behind me is feeling precious.

I believe people should be allowed to recline... perhaps be courteous during meal services, but some recline helps during sleep... sometimes.

Exactly. Upright for meals, and recline for sleeping. And if everyone is doing it, it shouldn't be an issue.

No point removing the recline when 99.99% of flights/passengers have no issues.

 

[hossein_au]

Last time I sat in row 2 on QF J B737 someone reclined his seat all the way and it was uncomfortable during the meal but what could I do? The person in front of me was sleeping and pax have every right to recline in premium cabins IMO. I did learn my lesson and since then I only choose the 1st row.

Exactly! I wasn't complaining, merely stating the fact that just because premium cabins have longer seat pitch, it does not mean a reclined seat is any easier on the passenger sitting behind. I recall in one of the posts earlier in the tread, the fact the incident happens in PE was used to diminish the point being made by the passenger sitting behind the reclined seat; this could happen in any cabin, and in some premium cabin the problem is made even worse because recline angle could be much higher than seat in Y.

 

[JohnK]

But isn't it a passengers right to recline their seat on a seat that is reclinable (is that even a word?).

It is also a passengers right to use the IFE screen, tray table and to be able to get up without yanking the seat in front.

If the person behind me tells me to put my seat forward because they are eating, of course I would (I do this anyway) but if you want my seat forward because its pissing you off or you want to work on a laptop. I really don't give a poop and will recline.

Doesn't make me a bad passenger, Im simply using all the facilities of the plane/seat provided to me.

It is not for me to decide what type of passenger you are but it sounds like you are prepared to irritate a person who is already agitated even more. That's fine. Be prepared for a fight with people who want to fight for their rights.

By the way I try to avoid confrontation at all costs but put in a position of discomfort your needs do not even rate. Yes I can be just as selfish.

I struggle to get out of my seat. If the seat in front is reclined it is close to impossible. Guess what I will be doing? By the way on more than occasion people in front have seen me struggle and choose not to recline.

Sometimes I like to have a drink or three on a flight. If the seat in front is reclined I cannot get the tray table down. Well I can but it won't be even for the drink to rest there. Don't drink?

I like to use the IFE provided. I like to use it while I am upright. Not leaning back and sideways in weird positions for long periods of time. No IFE?

But I know I will occasionally come across people who are selfish and don't compromise in any way. That's fine. I can play their game.

Luckily these days with status I can pre-allocate bulkhead so I don't have any of these issues. Don't ever ask me to give up bulkhead. Even if your life dependent on it.