Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Amanda Stancati

We asked, you answered! 

Is reclining your seat on an airplane OK or not? Do you ask permission? Are there social cues? What if you’re on a long-haul flight and you want to be comfortable? What if your legs are getting squished in an already tight seat?

I NEVER recline my seat. I think it’s inconsiderate to the person behind me. I would like to see airlines do away with the reclining seats. Comfortable? That word really doesn’t apply to anyone outside business class, sadly. – Lori

I haven’t traveled much, just for a bereavement. I did ask because I heard someone else complain and I realized that the fold down tray for food or whatever was there and interfere with their comfort. – Nora

I find, in regard to reclining my seat, a simple turn around and ask “Is it ok if I tilt my chair back a bit” usually eliminates most concerns. It also lets me see if there is something on their tray that may spill or fall. A bigger issue for me is when kids seated behind me continually kick the back of my seat. The same concept though holds true, a simple turn around and ask to stop usually works. – Peter

My wife, Anita, and I just booked a two week vacation in Costa Rica, through your Fairview St. location. We selected seats in the emergency exit area to get more leg room. These seats do not recline so we don’t have to worry about the people sitting behind us. – Bill

I recline if the person behind me reclines. Sometimes I ask. On shorter trips I don’t usually bother and now on longer ones I have gotten used to those neck pillows so I don’t need to recline – Nancy

Every second year I travel to Europe and every year this flight seems to be longer and longer….you definitely need recline your seat especially on long flights and if you like to sleep. It’s the airlines that make flying more and more uncomfortable as they like to maximize their profit. – Teresa

I believe that airlines should design seats that cause little or no discomfort for the person behind you. I have worn an entire meal in my lap from the jerk seated in front of me. And no apologies either. – Yvonne

When travelling, I am very conscious of those in front of me and behind, also….I hate it when the seat ahead of me is practically in my lap!!!! Having short legs is to my advantage in these situations – perhaps short legged passengers should pay less!!! – Kelly

I don’t find it makes that big of a difference whether their seat is up or back. Maybe I haven’t flown on flights that the seats recline very far. – Teresa

I have flown commercially for over 50 years. Way back when, when there was lots of room between seats, the reclining of the seat in front affected me very little. I am a large person now. When the person in front reclines, I am hemmed in to the point where if I was claustrophobic, I would have a serious anxiety moment. Can’t recall the number of times the person in front reclined their seat, only to sit leaned forward anyway. With the ongoing reduction in per seat space allowance, I think the time has come for seats to have fixed seatbacks. If someone needs that extra seatback angle adjustment, offer it in the premium class seating, and let those who insist on this feature pay for it. I get especially annoyed with those who recline their seats before the wheels even turn to leave the gate, in spite of the attempts by the cabin crew to get them to keep their seatback upright. – Wally

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