The etiquette of reclining your airplane seat

When it comes to flying, there are a few unwritten rules that everyone should follow in order to make the experience as pleasant as possible for all involved. One of those rules is airplane seat etiquette, specifically when it comes to reclining your seat.

It’s no secret that flying can be uncomfortable. You’re crammed into a small space for hours on end with little to no legroom, and the person in front of you has the audacity to recline their seat into your already limited space. It’s enough to make even the most easygoing person lose their cool.

But before you start throwing shade, it’s important to understand the etiquette around reclining your seat on an airplane. After all, there are ways to do it without being a total jerk.



Here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you find yourself tempted to recline your seat on a plane:

1. Check for the person behind you first

Before you even think about reclining your seat, take a quick glance over your shoulder to see if the person behind you is in the same predicament as you. If they’re trying to eat or working on their laptop, it might not be the best time to recline.

2. Recline slowly

There’s nothing worse than having your seat reclined on you without warning. If you must recline, do it slowly and give the person behind you a heads up before you do.

3. Don’t recline during meal times

This one should be a no-brainer, but for some reason, people still do it. If the person behind you is trying to eat their meal, it’s not the time to recline. Wait until they’re done before you recline your seat.



4. Put your seat up during turbulence

For the safety of everyone onboard, it’s important to put your seat up during turbulence. Reclining your seat during turbulence is not only inconsiderate, but it’s also dangerous, as the person behind could hit their head on the back of your seat during a bump.

5. Be mindful of your knees

If you’re tall, you might not be able to help but kick the seat in front of you when you recline. But that doesn’t mean it’s ok. Be mindful of your knees and try to keep them from hitting the seat in front of you.

6. Don’t recline if you’re not using your seat

This one is more for the people who like to recline their seats all the way back and then get up to use the restroom or stretch their legs. If you’re not using your seat, there’s no reason to have it reclined. It’s just taking up space and making it difficult for the person behind you.

7. Ask before you recline

If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s ok to recline your seat, the best thing you can do is ask the person behind you. A simple, “Is it ok if I recline my seat?” will do.

8. Don’t be a seat hog

Just because you have the option to recline your seat doesn’t mean you should do it the whole flight. If you’re going to be reclining your seat, be considerate of the person behind you and only do it when you need to.

9. Be prepared for retaliation

If you choose to recline your seat without following the above etiquette tips, be prepared for retaliation from the person behind you. They might recline their seat into your space, or they could start kicking your seat. Either way, it’s not going to be pleasant.

Flying doesn’t have to be a nightmare. By following a few simple etiquette tips, you can make the experience much more pleasant for everyone involved. So the next time you’re tempted to recline your seat on a plane, think about the person behind you and follow the tips above.

Is it still OK to recline at all?

Airplane travel has become a part of many people’s lives. It’s a great way to get to far off places quickly and comfortably. But in the tight quarters of an airplane cabin, etiquette is more important than ever. One of the most contentious issues around airplane etiquette is the question of reclining seats.

The debate over whether or not it’s ok to recline your airplane seat has been raging for years. Some people believe that it’s perfectly acceptable to recline your seat, while others think it’s rude and inconsiderate. So who is right?

In general, it’s ok to recline your seat if the flight is not full and you are not infringing on the space of the passenger behind you. If the flight is full or the seat behind you is already taken, you should consider not reclining your seat. Indeed, many low-cost airlines have removed the reclining function precisely so they can fit more people on the plane without tempers becoming frayed.

It’s also important to consider the duration of the flight when deciding whether or not to recline your seat. If you’re on a short flight, you may want to avoid reclining your seat; after all, are you really going to get any meaningful sleep on a two-hour hop? On longer flights, however, it’s usually ok to recline your seat as long as you’re not infringing on the space of the person behind you.

When reclining your seat, it’s important to be mindful of the person behind you. Try to recline slowly and gently so as not to surprise them. If you’re feeling particularly generous, you may even want to ask the person behind you if it’s ok for you to recline your seat.



Another important consideration when reclining your seat is that you shouldn’t do it during meal service. Not only is it disruptive to the airline crew as it makes it more difficult to serve the tray of food, but it’s also rude to the other passengers as it can make it difficult for them to eat their meals. You may well even be asked to put your seatback upright when the meal service arrives at your row.

So the answer to the question of whether it’s ok to recline your airplane seat depends on the situation. In general, it’s ok to recline your seat as long as you’re not infringing on the space of the person behind you and you’re not disrupting the meal service. Always be mindful of the people around you and be courteous when reclining your seat.