Plane returns after passengers brawl reportedly due to a seat recliner

[Travelmonkey]

Oh not again. I now remember why I keep tryng to get bulkhead.


And if everyone did not recline then it would be a perfect world.

I have the perfect solution and it would not hurt for the airlines to listen. Have a reclining and a non-reclining economy section. Sure some days the balance may not be quite right but if the recline could be controlled based on how many passengers then everyone would be happy.

And I really could not care it non-reclining was at the back of the cabin as long as I knew the person in front could not recline.

I remember one time on a DJ SYD-CBR flight. I think ~45 minutes in the air and the couple in front reclined in sync as soon as the seat belt sign went off and started reading a book. That is a joke right? They were going to stay reclined for ~20 minutes and it was absolutely necessary to recline? Don't justify it by saying the seat is meant to recline! I got up mumbling and cursing them and moved a few seats forward. They knew what I was saying but acted all stupid and naive.

I despise chronic recliners....

I, personally, don't mind the recliners so much (except during mealtimes) as I like to know that if I want to recline at some stage I can do so without someone taking exception. However, the airlines have decided to reduce the space between rows so much that the reclining has become a real issue. Just the other day I was on an Air Vanuatu flight where the guy in front had his seat reclined for the entire flight (bar mealtime) and his mate was also, however, my guy's seat seemed to recline about 3 inches further than the other guy and was virtually in my lap. It was a bit claustrophobic but what can you do! It's part of travelling in Economy class in 2011! I just wish the exec.s who decide to remove inches from the rows in front had been in my seat to experience this and see what all the fuss is about!

 

[docjames]

IMO someone can't be that tired if they need to recline to sleep.

Perhaps they're not that tired, but are trying to change tie zones for their destination so are trying to sleep to match their body clock to destination (so they're not tired on arrival?)

 

[eastwest101]

May have been mentioned before - but several possible solutions for Y class recline:

Load factor dependant recline built in mechanics: ie: 30% full = 100% recline, 65% full = 65% recline and 100% full = 0% recline

Time based system: mechanical reset to 0% recline during meals?

or say flight time less than 2hrs = no recline available, 2-4hrs = 50% recline available and 4-6hrs = 75% recline available, and > 6hrs = 100% recline available

All of which may require engineering solution but would ultimately be fair for all, and not waste flight attendants time waking up "recliners", as it looks like reduced seat pitch in Y is really the issue and I can't see that going away.

For the record - I don't recline unless its longer than 2-3hrs and only recline into an empty seat - never an occupied seat as I don't like it happening to me. For the record- I am slim and 5'11".

 

[Travelmonkey]

May have been mentioned before - but several possible solutions for Y class recline:

Load factor dependant recline built in mechanics: ie: 30% full = 100% recline, 65% full = 65% recline and 100% full = 0% recline

Time based system: mechanical reset to 0% recline during meals?

or say flight time less than 2hrs = no recline available, 2-4hrs = 50% recline available and 4-6hrs = 75% recline available, and > 6hrs = 100% recline available

I agree with you but the only explanation for these two differences in the reclining seats in the row in front of me on VT was a poorly maintained aircraft! Oh and the rows were too close to one another but that can be said for any economy class on any aircraft - well maintained or not! This flight was around 4 hours and the meal was not edible so reading was the only entertainment and his seat was in my face. I was lucky no one was beside me so I could put my feet up and read sideways to avoid the seat a bit more comfortably. I was thinking he must have had a hard week for him to recline all the way back on a 3.20pm flight! What can you do!! Everyone has the right to recline!

 

[eastwest101]

Oh I totally agree with you. Faulty seats should be reported and fixed.

And I agree that everyone has a right to recline - but we either rely on good manners and common sense, or maybe should be "rationing" peoples recline for the sake of the comfort and sanity of people behind in modern cramped Y cabins.

Certainly a good thread to discuss any other solutions or alternative points of view.

 

[eastwest101]

Oh and I forgot to add - in my DJ, QF and JQ domestic experiences I have had flight attendants ask people to cease reclining during meal times, but not consistently, only a few times for me or on behalf or other unfortunate passengers.

 

[Travelmonkey]

Oh and I forgot to add - in my DJ, QF and JQ domestic experiences I have had flight attendants ask people to cease reclining during meal times, but not consistently, only a few times for me or on behalf or other unfortunate passengers.

It would be nice for common sense and courtesy to prevail but unfortuately this isn't always to case. To actually have to get the FA to ask the people to cease reclining at a meal service shows this to be true. There will always be the selfish people who have no care of others around them but they will get theirs soon enough

 

[Misha]

Interesting one... I do recline on flights sometimes (longer flights) - but always do so quite slowly so the person behind knows it's coming. I never recline during meals and if the person in front doesn't move theirs up during meal service I ask them to - or if they look unreasonable - I ask an FA to ask them. Most times FAs ask people anyway...

Love when there is an empty seat behind me (always check) as I quickly recline so hopefully it will stay empty

If this happened on an Aeroflot flight, the hosties would have beaten both passengers senseless!!

They would most likely toss them through the hole at the back of the plane.... which hole you ask?... don't all aeroflot planes have a hole in them somewhere? :mrgreen:

I have flown aeroflot a few times - I tell you what, even the tanked-up execs who have had one (twenty?) vodkas too many would not start a fight as those FAs are vicious and would sort you out quickly - I have always tried to avoid eye contact and quickly learned that you don't say "spasibo" - you either nod your head or grunt... they appreciate that more. No where on earth is the smile more disliked

*Coming from the black sheep of my own Russian family - as I can almost never not smile*

 

[MiLK_MaN]

Ughhhh, self-reclining chairs. I always seem to get them.

I recline on the odd occasion, but I am always self conscious of the pax sitting behind me. The moment a meal is starting to be served, I am upright in a flash. You always know that the favour will never be returned, but one can only hope.

Just use your status and get a bulkhead and/or seat with nothing in front of you (eg. 70D on A380) and then you have no reason to complain

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Re: recline - ready for a fight...

If this happened on an Aeroflot flight, the hosties would have beaten both passengers senseless!!

Not the FA's l saw on my last Aeroflot flight.....They were servicing each other in the galley

 

[Moody]

When the seatbelt sign goes off there is not much anyone can do about the selfish nobodies who recline their seats just because they can, but I have yet to have these cretins keep their seat reclined during meal service. When the FA askes me for my choice I quietly say to them "My choice is to be able to actually eat!" Without exception they have insisted the passenger in front of me raises their seat upright - if they didn't then a fighter escort is on the cards.

In my opinion ALL seats should be locked upright in day flights - not just the exit rows.

 

[medhead]

Perhaps they're not that tired, but are trying to change tie zones for their destination so are trying to sleep to match their body clock to destination (so they're not tired on arrival?)

Maybe. Of course 95% of my flying between ADL and SYD. If someone needs to adjust their body clock for that time change then I suggest they need to seek medical help.

 

[Reggie]

Maybe. Of course 95% of my flying between ADL and SYD. If someone needs to adjust their body clock of that time change then I suggest they need to seek medical help.

Flying ADL - SYD is the equivalent of a 20 year increased time change, and requires significant adjustment to body clock and many other things.

 

[JohnK]

Sorry JohnK, I thought of you whilst starting this thread, trying to remember if you where in the LOTFAP

Nope. Going to Thailand tomorrow in the third row of economy on SQ BNE-SIN-BKK and was simply looking to get some tips on how to handle recliners.

I thought you despised both of these equally, flying DJ and recliners.

No you have it wrong. I don't mind DJ and recliners are OK as long as they do not recline into my space.

I was wondering when JohnK would arrive in this thread.

And it was a very noble entrance.

My favourites are the ones who recline the seat and then sit upright.

How about the mother travelling with her 3 yound children on a QF flight sitting in the middle row of 4 seats. The 3 kids were all well asleep so she was bored so reclines each of their seats. Why would a child <10 years old already asleep need an airline seat in recline position?

 

[shambles]

Re: recline - ready for a fight...

If this happened on an Aeroflot flight, the hosties would have beaten both passengers senseless!!

EFA...
"One hostie would hold their chickens whilst the other one beat them both senseless"

 

[JohnK]

OT but the SQ seats in economy are a joke. Who in their right minds designed seats with a curved back?

Extremely uncomfortable and the moron in front reclined throughout the flight so I had to recline as well (asked the person behind if they minded) which made even more uncomfortable.

The IFE was cough and it was one of the longest 7:30 flights I have ever had. Must have slept for 3-4 hours but it was not a good sleep. Oh well....

 

[The Rok]

And yet another mid air "recliner" incident

Seat recline causes mid-air clash - Weird News Travels Fast - etravelblackboard.com

 

[simongr]

Not super keen to lay blame but you just do not recline during meal service. At all other times it is annoying but fair. I am sure I have heard messages over the PA not to recline or to refrain from reclining during the meal service - maybe just in the main cabin.

 

[Moopere]

And yet another mid air "recliner" incident

Seat recline causes mid-air clash - Weird News Travels Fast - etravelblackboard.com

On the face of it this could have been prevented by air crew telling the recliner to sit upright during the meal time.

Outside of those times I don't at all understand the idea presented in this thread that one shouldn't recline - the seating is designed for reclining and reclining is allowed. I'll recline whenever I want outside of meals and the idea that one shouldn't do this on short flights presupposes a lot about the person and how long they might have already been travelling.

If altercations are common because of this then why do airlines persist in allowing Y seating recline? If folks find it such a big issue then there is always J and F seating which will impact less or not at all.

 

[simongr]

I think there is a sense of "we're all in this together" stuck in coughpy cramped seats in whY so why should one person make it worse for others?

Personally you buy you seat and the conditions it comes with - if you don't like don't fly.