Legroom on a plane
Discussion
I suppose you could hypothesise about who's personal seating space is in front of you. Is it your personal space, or the person's in front of you.
I now always factor the cost of premium or exit row seats into all of our family holiday flights as i find normal seats cramped.
I also have long legs, that touch the seat in front in economy, but I found that discretely removing my shoes/trainers lowers my knees enough to provide another inch or so of space between me and the seat in front. It also allows you to move your feet further further under the seat in front.
I would encourage anyone with longer legs to try it.
I now always factor the cost of premium or exit row seats into all of our family holiday flights as i find normal seats cramped.
I also have long legs, that touch the seat in front in economy, but I found that discretely removing my shoes/trainers lowers my knees enough to provide another inch or so of space between me and the seat in front. It also allows you to move your feet further further under the seat in front.
I would encourage anyone with longer legs to try it.
Chlamydia said:
I've flown many thousands of miles over the years and I've never felt the need to recline my seat. I was reading today that one airline in America has actually removed the recline mechanisms from their seats, sounds like a good idea to me.
Same hereI just think it is inconsiderate really, hence why it has never occurred to me. Even on night flights when it would have helped me sleep I haven't reclined my seat.
Hol said:
I also have long legs, that touch the seat in front in economy, but I found that discretely removing my shoes/trainers lowers my knees enough to provide another inch or so of space between me and the seat in front. It also allows you to move your feet further further under the seat in front.
I would encourage anyone with longer legs to try it.
But only after the plane is safely airborne - the number of people I see taking their shoes off before takeoff. What happens if they have to run from a burning, smashed up plane if the worst happens?! I would encourage anyone with longer legs to try it.
Matt Harper said:
Shoes on/off unlikely to be a major issue for the burning, smashed up passengers.
Every second counts when the fuselage catches fire, and being unable to move quickly because your feet are uncovered is a pretty stupid reason to fall behind and die. I'd prefer to improve my odds 
Matt, you're a frequent flier - does this not cross your mind?
Actually yes, it does. Some airlines instruct passengers not to remove footwear prior to take-off - and to make sure window shades are open at both take-off and landing.
It was the image of flaming, vaporized aircraft that I had in my mind per your description that lead to my smart-assery.
It was the image of flaming, vaporized aircraft that I had in my mind per your description that lead to my smart-assery.
Chlamydia said:
I've flown many thousands of miles over the years and I've never felt the need to recline my seat. I was reading today that one airline in America has actually removed the recline mechanisms from their seats, sounds like a good idea to me.
I can only assume you have always flown short haul, unless you sat wide awake for a 12 hour flight??? Some, not all, airline seats don't give you any incline at all when erect, meaning your head falls forwards the second you doze off. Try sitting like that for more than 4 or 5 hours overnight and you'll soon realise why seats are built to recline.
I totally circumnavigate the globe every ten weeks, several 10+ hour long hauls at a time, and if someone tries to fit a 'knee defender' to my seat I'll make damn sure that I remember to reach behind and tip their food/drink/laptop in their face every few minutes.
If you are so tall you don't fit into economy seats, then MOVE into an aisle seat, or pay extra for economy plus, but don't think it is your right to f**k with MY seat or my comfort!
Puggit said:
But only after the plane is safely airborne - the number of people I see taking their shoes off before takeoff. What happens if they have to run from a burning, smashed up plane if the worst happens?!
As long as you remove your stilettos before you launch yourself down the slide (and avoid tearing it to shreds for everyone else) you can put them back on at the bottom and see if you can outrun me in your high-heels when I'm just wearing my socks.otolith said:
They should simply disable the function on a section of seating and allow those who are willing to forego reclining in exchange for not being reclined upon to choose those seats.
Or build those locking devices into the seats, so that the person behind has to give their permission first. They you would have to (SHOCK) ask politely for the privilege to recline.J8 SVG said:
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..
I really do not understand the anger directed at the person in front of you who has chosen to use the functionality of the seat they have paid for. Surely, the anger should be directed at the airlines for having reclining seats? I’m sure if enough passengers said they would not fly with airlines with these then they would be withdrawn pretty quickly.
I fly 2-4 times most weeks, I don’t generally recline the seat other than on long haul when trying to sleep. I have no issue with someone who does as I see the space they are reclining into as their space not mine i.e. the seat is designed to go into that space as part of it’s normal functionality.
I’m six foot and a big chap, I have seen many people taller/bigger than me fit into seats with no problem with those in front reclining. I’m sure if this “problem” was fixed people would find something else to moan about…
I fly 2-4 times most weeks, I don’t generally recline the seat other than on long haul when trying to sleep. I have no issue with someone who does as I see the space they are reclining into as their space not mine i.e. the seat is designed to go into that space as part of it’s normal functionality.
I’m six foot and a big chap, I have seen many people taller/bigger than me fit into seats with no problem with those in front reclining. I’m sure if this “problem” was fixed people would find something else to moan about…
otolith said:
It's not a privilege, it's a function of the seat the person has paid for.
You've paid for a seat in that class. You might even have paid for a particular seat but you haven't paid for the recline or inflight entertainment etc. if any of those functions don't work, you won't get a refund. 
Was flying home the other day, second row, and the family in front was very annoying - they kept shouting at their maid and even tried to store some of their baggage under the seats behind them! Obviously they all reclined as soon as they could, which is fair enough, but on descending they ignored instructions to move seatbacks to upright position. The cabin crew did nothing. I reached forward, tapped the guy in front of me on the shoulder and gave his seat a mighty shove. He wasn't at all happy and his little hat almost fell off.
el stovey said:
otolith said:
It's not a privilege, it's a function of the seat the person has paid for.
You've paid for a seat in that class. You might even have paid for a particular seat but you haven't paid for the recline or inflight entertainment etc. if any of those functions don't work, you won't get a refund. Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff