Summer travel is in full swing and so is the perennial debate about reclining seats on an airplane. One thing is for sure, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to people’s opinions of whether a passenger has the right to recline. Interestingly, the airplane seat pitch has decreased from an average of 35 inches to 31 inches, intensifying the debate.
The Changing Landscape of Airline Seating
Airlines have been reevaluating the cost and safety implications of reclining seats. A related topic is whether or not reclining seats are going away, considering airlines are finding that non-reclining seats reduce weight load and require fewer mechanical parts.
Streamlining the design of the airline seats, or creating a pre-reclined seat may become a trend. Spirit Airlines introduced a pre-recline seat in 2019, and People featured an article that states Southwest Airlines is rolling out a new seat design in 2025. So there is definitely discussion and much debate.
Travel Etiquette: To Recline or Not to Recline?
What is the etiquette rule for reclining your airplane seat? Rude or acceptable?
Does the length of the flight matter?
There does not seem to be any firm airline policy on the duration of the flight when it comes to reclining seats, but for a short haul, I strongly recommend you avoid reclining, when possible, for the sake of the person behind you who has very little legroom in coach and must turn their legs to the side and not use their tray table to do any work. Your public seat, which you did pay for, is not your personal property and is not your living room recliner.
What are some considerations before reclining?
Consider the person seated behind you. Also, think about purchasing a seat with more leg room if you are tall. The person reclining their seat does not gain more leg room, they simply gain more body extension but their leg room changes very little. They are just extended in length.
Forewarned is forearmed. Do not recline without a heads up to the passenger seated behind you, “I’m going to lean back a bit and want to let you know.” Be prepared for a negative reaction and a definite eye roll.
Do not recline during drink or meal service for obvious reasons. If you need a reminder, tray tables are going down, along with your seat, and the passenger will have a tray table in their lap.
The Bottom Line
The final word and reality is that if the airplane seat reclines, you can certainly exercise your right to use the little button. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should from a courtesy perspective. Much like using dark lipstick, more does not necessarily mean better for anyone concerned. Similar to an “All you can eat or drink” event, it does not mean you should “go for it!” Good judgment and the consideration of others should be a strong factor when contemplating whether to recline your seat. Wear comfortable clothes, keep your shoes on, anticipate the inconvenience for yourself and others, and behave accordingly.
Happy Travels!
You may also like Summer Travel Etiquette: Airline Flights with Diane Gottsman.
For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go To” social and professional etiquette authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas.
See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook and find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.
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