A new U.S. poll finds that 41% of travellers would like to see a ban on airplane seat reclining. It’s an age-old debate where passenger rights meet in-the-sky rules of etiquette.
If Hamlet had ever flown on an airplane, his famous quote might be “To recline or not recline. That is the question.”
The issue of seat reclining is as old as a Montreal-Toronto hockey rivalry, or a Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson basketball debate.
With apologies to the Bard of Avon, the question could be thus:
“Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous seat reclining fortune, or to take arms against a sky-full of troubles, and by opposing end them.”
The people at The Harris Poll conducted a poll on behalf of the La-Z-Boy furniture company (makers of comfy recliners) in October and found that 41% of U.S. adults would support a ban on reclining seats during a domestic flight. The ban was most strongly supported by those 65 years old and over, and by those between 18 and 34.
“In an age where airplane seats seem to be getting smaller and tighter, a reclined seat can make a big difference in your limited space,” USA Today reports. “Reclining your own seat might add a bit of comfort, but when the seat in front of you goes fully back, it can leave you feeling uncomfortably cramped.”
"Reclining on airplanes is a polarizing topic. We know some people like the five degrees of lean they get at 35,000 feet, but the way it infringes on others' space can create havoc and discomfort," Christy Hoskins, CMO of La-Z-Boy, told USA Today in an email statement.
The company, which would obviously love people to buy their recliners and practice lying down at home and not in the air, has come up with a TV spot and started a campaign with the hashtag #BanReclining.
“La-Z-Boy has spent nearly 100 years innovating and crafting the most comfortable, high-quality recliners. While this continues to set our products apart, we believe comfort shouldn’t come at others’ expense,” said Nelly Martinez Garza, senior director of consumer marketing, La-Z-Boy. “Our #BanReclining campaign is simple: Just because you can recline doesn’t mean you always should.”
The company is giving away prize packages to five lucky people who sign the pledge at BanReclining.com, including a free La-Z-Boy recliner and a $500 airfare credit.
Personally, I’m a “Decline to Recline” guy on an airplane. I’ve had people tell me they have a right to recline, and that airplane seats (most of them) are built to recline. I don’t disagree. But having the right to do something doesn’t make it a nice thing to do.
In case you haven’t flown since the Eisenhower (or Diefenbaker) administration, or in case you only fly in sections of the plane with free champagne and caviar, airplanes have become pretty darn cramped. There’s often very little room with all the seats upright. If someone in front of me reclines their seat, I pretty much have to do the same to keep my space. But I can’t work on my laptop with a reclined seat in front of me, and I often have work to do. Mind you, it’s pretty tricky to work on a laptop on a plane with all upright seats given the tiny tables and lack of elbow room. But, at least it’s possible.
Still, I understand that some people (you know who you are) might have a bad back or had a terrible night’s sleep and feel the need to recline their seat. If that’s the case, all I ask is that you do it slowly. Very, very slowly. Maybe turn around and nod or say, “sorry.” Go ahead if you’re Canadian you were about to say it anyway. But just go slow and easy so my coffee or red wine (or both) don’t end up in my lap.
In a recent story posted on the CBC website, etiquette expert Nick Leighton, a man of obvious style and taste, said he's in my camp.
"Yes, you can recline," he said. "But is the person behind you six foot five? Are we in the middle of meal service? Are they using a laptop and are you going to recline real fast where you might snap their laptop? There's some considerations involved."
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