I’m going to try not to sound over the top with this, so forgive me if I do. I’m really interested in the opinions of others and hope to get some comments going. I recently traveled on a United 757 transcon in First Class. It’s always better being in First than Coach, but the pitch on those 757’s isn’t exactly excessive, especially if the person in front of you reclines all the way. I know it isn’t my fellow passengers’ fault that the seats are tight, but is it really necessary to lie down in the lap of the person behind you? Does reclining make you that much more comfortable in a standard domestic First Class seat?
I’m very fortunate that I did not have my laptop open when the gentleman on my recent flight decided it was nappy time. I really didn’t know a seat would recline that fast. If my laptop had been open, there is a definite risk that I would be looking at a broken screen right now. Not cool. Of course, my friend in 1C remained fully reclined throughout the flight. The person next to me and I glanced at each other a couple of times as the gentleman’s moving around in his seat seemed to force the seat back even further. Extricating yourself from our row required acrobatic maneuvering and trading off on holding each other’s drinks while the other seated themselves. Honestly, it was one of the more annoying and uncomfortable flights I’ve taken in a while. Not so much for the gentleman in front of me, I guess.
So here are some of my personal airplane etiquette rules. Agree? Disagree? Have some to add?
- If you must recline, do so carefully. We are all in this together, and some of us prefer to use our flight time to work. Remember, you are reclining into someone else’s space. Would half a recline work just as well? Try it and see. And remember, unless you are in the last row, there’s someone behind you.
- When seated in coach, your seat is your seat, and mine is mine. Armrests are first come first serve, but don’t lean on me!
- Seriously, it’s one carry on, and one personal item. Put the small one underneath the seat, and the big one over your head, wheels first (sometimes handles first works better).
- Be nice, but no need to be chatty. Of course, if you are chatty and happen to be seated beside another chatter, you have my permission to blab away. Just keep your volume in check.
OK, those are my 4 pretty simple airplane etiquette rules. Do you have any that you wish others would practice?
I have to disagree with the post here about seat recline. The recline of my seat is just an extension of my personal space. If I recline my seat and you are behind me, you have every right to recline your seat as well to create more space for yourself. If there is a button on your seat that you can control, you should be able to do what you want with it. I have no problem when someone reclines into me, because it’s not my business to tell them what to do with the seat they’ve paid for. And,… Read more »
Thanks for commenting Andrew.
> I’m very fortunate that I did not have my laptop open when the gentleman on my recent flight decided it was nappy time.
This is the main reason I have a netbook and not a full size notebook. I also always leave my display tilted ever so slightly towards me – which makes it more difficult to see – but safer when the inevitable speed tilt happens from the pax in front. Their reclining seat just pushes the screen further closed instead of crushing it.
Good advice Mike. I’m in the market for an iPad myself and this is just one reason why.
“…your seat is your seat, and mine is mine.”
Wouldn’t that also apply to seat recline? The recline option is put in by the airline just like seat pitch. It’s no more the person’s in front of you fault that it reclines more into your space than the lack of legroom.
A valid point, indeed. I even said in the post “it isn’t my fellow passengers’ fault that the seats are tight….” That said, I think we should be a little self aware and careful when we recline because you can take out a laptop the way seats are sometimes designed.
I was recently on an Air Canada flight and they actually addressed some of your etiquette issues in their magazine. The one tip they gave that if you just so happen to get stuck in the middle seat then the armrests are yours as your reward for being stuck there. (The logic being that the person on the window & aisle already have 1 armrest as well as a smidge more of personal space.) As for obnoxious recliners…..depending on my mood I either go passive agressive or blunt/direct. Spilling a drink or bumping hard into the seat when trying to… Read more »
Agreed! When I’m in First Class if I know I’m going to want to recline outside of acceptable sleeping flights (early morning or late evening) I pick the last row.