AIRLINES are eliminating lie-flat seats in their economy cabins — but it’s actually good news.
The controversial feature has long caused debate and has even resulted in serious altercations.
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Earlier this year, a passenger was caught punching the front seat after an argument over reclining erupted during a flight.
The removal of reclining seats is expected to result in fewer on-air arguments among passengers.
In an article in article in Condé Nast Traveler William McGee, senior aviation and travel researcher at the American Economic Liberties Project, said: “There is no doubt that this could be a good thing. News for air Travelers.
“Airlines have pitted passenger against passenger in the ‘right to recline’ wars and this has led to discomfort, fights, arrests and general misery.
“When reclining is uncomfortable and uncomfortable for rear passengers, then it is problematic.”
Low-cost airlines in Europe scrapped the option for passengers to return their seats years ago, with Ryanair abandoning the option in 2004.
Airlines around the world are opting to ditch lie-flat seats in favor of lighter options.
Flat seats without reclining mechanisms are lighter than seats that can fully recline.
For airlines, lighter seats can only be a good thing because they will reduce weight on board and therefore the cost of jet fuel.
Other airlines are quietly installing “pre-reclining seats” that operate between fully upright and fully reclined backrests.
The mechanism is not only heavy, but it can also break more frequently – resulting in an airplane seat becoming unusable.
Non-reclining seats mean there is less chance of a passenger being hit on a flight if the airline is unable to fix the seat in time.
Jet2 was one of the first airlines to use pre-reclining seats in 2009.
Airlines such as British Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Finnair also use pre-reclining seats.
Airplane reclining seat label
Last year, two etiquette experts shared the exact times when reclining an airplane seat is never acceptable.
Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn’t recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop.
This is because the laptop may break if the seat suddenly reclines without any warning.
For example, a passenger had his laptop destroyed when the person in front of him reclined the seat back.
Before reclining your seat, it’s best to check what the passenger behind you is doing.
Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, who is also an etiquette expert, added: “Avoid reclining when most passengers are enjoying their snack or meal.”
Etiquette experts also explained that it is never acceptable to recline a seat if there are children sitting behind you or if the passenger is injured.
And if you are on a plane with reclining seats, remember to never do this during takeoff or landing, as well as during meal service.
A flight attendant revealed to Sun Online Travel how to get the person in front of you to put their seat back in place.
Meanwhile, a design student produced plans for double-decker seating arrangements to prevent seat reclines from affecting others.
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