Fight breaks out on plane over seat recline

On a recent United Airlines flight a fight broke out when a passenger reclined his seat. According to press reports the passenger in the seat behind the recliner (the reclinee?) felt like the seat had come into his ‘personal space’. Some believe it is rude to recline an airline seat… but if that is true, why do the seats recline? What do you think?

Comments

[Michelle]

it is rude to recline. not everyone can afford first class.

[mmtoruno]

If you have to worry about personal space get a first or business class ticket! Ridiculous people who are always looking for anything to be offended or bothered by. Life is too short!!!

[wt]

I get select turets syndrome when the person in front of me reclines so quick I get hurt or startled. They will NOT sleep when they do this.

[D]

I am considerate of the person behind me. The airlines have the rows so close nowadays, it is a pain when the person ahead of your reclines all of the way.

[Guillyca]

Aside from inconsiderate it seems like it's usually someone short who fully reclines the seat back. My luck always seems to be if the person is 5'6" or shorter they'll fully recline back as soon as the plane is in the air. I'll ask politely but half the time it doesn't work so I make sure I have to get things I put in the pocket and hold on to the top of the headrest when getting up to the restroom.

[Suvarnabhumi Airport]

Sure, you can say that since you paid for the ticket, you paid for all the seat’s “amenities.” But I know if *I* had just taken off on a 10+ hour flight to Ghana, and the person in front of me reclines his seat before we even hit cruising altitude, it’d be a little soul-crushing.

[web op]

I would have to insist if i were in that situation.