Legroom on a plane

[DJFish]

They should've called it a 'Knee Trembler', they'd sell thousands and people would be boasting that they'd been caught having a knee trembler on board......

[Regiment]

Am I the only tall guy that hates the idea of someone using such a device? I'm 6'5", I don't fly often but when I do, I fly with airlines that are respectable to my needs and also book an exit window seat, exit for the extra leg room and window because I like to look out of it .

Using such a device just seems like a selfish thing to do and they should be banned on all airlines.

[alfaman]

Warnie said:

This bugs me at 6ft 4, why should the short arses be more comfortable than me ? We both pay the same for our seats yet I'm left with my knees wedged against the seat in front for hours on end. If I want the same legroom as a short arse I have to pay extra for the privilege!

They should allocate on a 1st come 1st served basis the extra legroom seats for us normal sized folk free of charge.

No offence to short arses was intended in this post.....

Maybe all airlines should charge by passenger weight like the Samoan airline.

Heavier people consume more space and fuel - adding to cost.

As an average height person who weighs <70kg why should I subsidize fatties ?

No offense to 'people of size'

[fletch78]

mrmr96 said:

fletch78 said:

but I really don't understand why the seats can be reclined....

Seats CAN be reclined because:
1 sometimes flights are not full so the seat behind may vacant, and
2 if everyone is trying to sleep then if everyone reclines it is better for everyone

3 Because I absolutely must rock my seat back to give the illusion I'm sat in a spacious comfortable Lazyboy.
Perhaps I should have worded my intial post differently, in this day and age I don't understand why the option to recline still exists.....if airlines hadn't reduced legroom over time to cram more seats in it wouldn't be such an issue. I concede if the seat behind is vacant it may be acceptable, but I never recline my seat. I find it rude to do so even if trying to slee,p, it drastically reduces the legroom of the person behind, which I don't wish done to me so why should I inflict it on someone else?
Whilst installing a piece of plastic may be drastic, it's certainly preferable to having my knees repeatedly whacked whilst the person in front tries to work out why they can't recline.

I do normally try to book an exit seat when not travelling with the family, but not always possible. I have been in heated exchanges when the person in front has tried to recline and hit my knees, thankfully I haven't caused a plane to be diverted...yet

[redtwin]

Gazzas86 said:

I have a human powered knee defender.... Being 6 ft 4 on most airlines my knees are touching the back of the seat infront, no chance of it really going back tbh.

I am 6' 5" so run into the same issues, didn't stop a woman sat in front from constantly trying to recline her seat which was already firmly pressed against my knees. She did her best, slamming her back against it repeatedly, but there was literally nowhere for my knees to go.

It hurt like hell, but I wouldn't give her the satisfaction by showing any signs of pain, I just stared at her blankly when she turned around to glare at me.

[DJFish]

People are getting taller, legroom isn't getting bigger.
Something's got to give.

[24lemons]

Blocking somebody from using their seat in the manner in which it was designed is selfish in the extreme. Of course I'd prefer that the person in front of me sat bolt upright for the entire flight but that's unrealistic and unfair. If you buy a seat on an airline that offers reclining seats then I dont see how you can complain when somebody uses it!

I always try to be courteous and just ask the person behind if it's ok to lean back and I've never been refused. Likewise, if somebody asks me if it's ok then I never try to stop them.

Be polite and considerate, live and let live peace and love etc...

[Studio117]

Being 7ft 5 I often travel strapped to the wing. I love the fresh air.

[Perik Omo]

The design patents for the new BA Club World seats for the A350 ( and the rest of the new fleet I presume) feature non-reclinable seats although they are very wide and curved enabling you to sit sideways.

[herewego]

redtwin said:

Gazzas86 said:

I have a human powered knee defender.... Being 6 ft 4 on most airlines my knees are touching the back of the seat infront, no chance of it really going back tbh.

I am 6' 5" so run into the same issues, didn't stop a woman sat in front from constantly trying to recline her seat which was already firmly pressed against my knees. She did her best, slamming her back against it repeatedly, but there was literally nowhere for my knees to go.

It hurt like hell, but I wouldn't give her the satisfaction by showing any signs of pain, I just stared at her blankly when she turned around to glare at me.

That's a strange thing to do, she obviously didn't know it was your knees stopping the seat. I've never heard of a reclining seat hitting anyone's knees before, normally it only slightly impacts what you can do on the table.
Reclining does help you to sleep so it is a good thing generally as it is an uncomfortable environment, although it depends on what you're there for and who you are with.

[OldSpice]

herewego said:

redtwin said:

Gazzas86 said:

I have a human powered knee defender.... Being 6 ft 4 on most airlines my knees are touching the back of the seat infront, no chance of it really going back tbh.

I am 6' 5" so run into the same issues, didn't stop a woman sat in front from constantly trying to recline her seat which was already firmly pressed against my knees. She did her best, slamming her back against it repeatedly, but there was literally nowhere for my knees to go.

It hurt like hell, but I wouldn't give her the satisfaction by showing any signs of pain, I just stared at her blankly when she turned around to glare at me.

That's a strange thing to do, she obviously didn't know it was your knees stopping the seat. I've never heard of a reclining seat hitting anyone's knees before, normally it only slightly impacts what you can do on the table.
Reclining does help you to sleep so it is a good thing generally as it is an uncomfortable environment, although it depends on what you're there for and who you are with.

Then why did she glare? I have this as well being a tall bloke but they generally stop after a couple of attempts. The only bonus is that I sometimes get upgraded to a seat with more legroom once on the plane.

[anonymous-user]

mrmr96 said:

fletch78 said:

but I really don't understand why the seats can be reclined....

Seats CAN be reclined because:
1 sometimes flights are not full so the seat behind may vacant, and
2 if everyone is trying to sleep then if everyone reclines it is better for everyone

Makes bugger all difference to sleeping as the seats are still upright, all it does is annoy the person behind. Sounds good that airlines are fixing them in place now.

[Taita]

Surely if EVERYONE in a file (not row) of seats does it then it cancels each other out?

As soon as the lights go out on a long haul, I've never had any problems with a quick 'mind if I put the seat back, I'm off to sleep'. Most of the time 'no its fine I'm going to sleep shortly myself'. I also try and avoid sitting in front of tall people being 5ft8 myself! Win/win!

Bit of person to person communication makes the world go round.

[bullies180]

redtwin said:

Gazzas86 said:

I have a human powered knee defender.... Being 6 ft 4 on most airlines my knees are touching the back of the seat infront, no chance of it really going back tbh.

I am 6' 5" so run into the same issues, didn't stop a woman sat in front from constantly trying to recline her seat which was already firmly pressed against my knees. She did her best, slamming her back against it repeatedly, but there was literally nowhere for my knees to go.

It hurt like hell, but I wouldn't give her the satisfaction by showing any signs of pain, I just stared at her blankly when she turned around to glare at me.

Surely you should have just explained the situation to her? Any decent person would realise and stop. If i was on a plan a someone of your height was behind me and politely explains the situation and asks me not to recline then of course no problem i wont do it but i'd feel really offended if someone used these knee defenders on me.

A mate of mine is quite tall and does suffer on planes unlike me, i'm 5'10 but he's always said its swings and roundabouts as he gets a better view when at festivals/gigs.

[Regiment]

OldSpice said:

Then why did she glare? I have this as well being a tall bloke but they generally stop after a couple of attempts. The only bonus is that I sometimes get upgraded to a seat with more legroom once on the plane.

The best experience i've ever had flying was with a Thai Airways flight from Heathrow to Bangkok, they pulled me out of line at the check-in desk, asked if i was so and so and then said they've reserved a seat for me as they were made aware of my height. I didn't ask for any special treatment but they had seen a note made by the travel agent and made sure i was well taken care of .

Taita said:

Surely if EVERYONE in a file (not row) of seats does it then it cancels each other out?

As soon as the lights go out on a long haul, I've never had any problems with a quick 'mind if I put the seat back, I'm off to sleep'. Most of the time 'no its fine I'm going to sleep shortly myself'. I also try and avoid sitting in front of tall people being 5ft8 myself! Win/win!

Bit of person to person communication makes the world go round.

People who don't fly often might not know it causes issues for the person behind?

[oyster]

Long haul this is only a problem in economy, which isn't for business travel anyway, so no laptop issues.

Short haul is tougher but again there are exit row seats or bulkhead or row 1 available.

[J8 SVG]

Taita said:

Surely if EVERYONE in a file (not row) of seats does it then it cancels each other out?

My knees touch the seat in front when I'm sat upright and they're in the same position when I lean back by a few degrees.. how does me leaning back by a few degrees affect where my knees are?

Genuinely put off going on holiday anywhere more than 1hr30 flight away as I can't afford to pay 3x as much for business as I find the seats so uncomfy (back as well as leg room). Going to try easyjet's 'XL' leg room seats later this year though due to the girlfriend having to go away..

[DJRC]

Because sometimes you are tired and would like to recline the seat a little and help with the shut eye. Even if it's only a 2 he flight. Because you have already travelled to get there or it's at the end of the day or it's your 3rd or 4 th flight that week.

[DJRC]

Because sometimes you are tired and would like to recline the seat a little and help with the shut eye. Even if it's only a 2 he flight. Because you have already travelled to get there or it's at the end of the day or it's your 3rd or 4 th flight that week.

[Tiggsy]

Better seats and layouts needed - flew to the US on a deamliner few weeks ago. At 6ft6 I found the seating space huge, no issues at all.