Maintaining harmony on a flight can be challenging. Aeroplanes are infamous for their cramped conditions, with limited space to stretch out and relax.
When combined with the prospect of being surrounded by strangers for several hours, it’s enough to make anyone stressed before the plane even takes off. Add in the potential for fellow passengers to exhibit poor etiquette, turning the journey into an excruciating experience.
However, one woman was left feeling “shaken up” after a recent flight where she was confronted by another passenger who took umbrage at her using one of the standard features available to all on board.
The disgruntled passenger insisted that she couldn’t recline her seat – despite it being an overnight flight where most passengers were keen to get some sleep.
In a Reddit post, the woman detailed how she attempted to recline her seat in order to sleep, only for her chair to “pop back upright” as the woman seated behind her was “shoving it forward” to prevent her from reclining.
Eventually, the woman managed to recline her seat, but this incensed the other passenger who accused her of reclining “too far back”.
She penned: “I tried to recline my seat, and it popped back upright. I tried again and realised the lady behind me was shoving my seat forward. I tried again, and she yelled at me that I couldn’t recline my seat.
“I was very shaken up by the interaction, so I just stayed upright for like 10 minutes until I could see a flight attendant nearby. I was able to quickly recline and have my chair click into place so she couldn’t shove it forward.
“She raised her voice at me again, and I told her everyone on the whole plane gets to recline their seat. She said I was reclining too far back, though I told her my seat was in the same position as the person sitting in front of me.”
The woman recounted how the confrontation left her feeling “so uncomfortable” and deprived her of rest during the flight.
Additionally, she pointed out that the disgruntled woman was “petite” and should not have been inconvenienced by the reclined seat, especially since a taller man seated next to them also advised the complainer to “calm down”.
The incident sparked an outpouring of sympathy from online commenters who understood both perspectives of the argument.
Some acknowledged that the situation is a “doomed situation” given the limited legroom on planes, which makes it hard for passengers to be comfortable when seats are reclined, but affirmed the right of each passenger to choose to recline their seat.
One commenter remarked: “It’s such a doomed situation all around. [With] some people, you are literally crushing their legs, and it’s horrifically uncomfortable to sit fully upright if you nod off. Aeroplane hell.”
Another weighed in, suggesting: “Airlines are responsible for our conflict. Either give all of us more room or remove the reclining seat option.”
And a third shared their support, posting: “If the seats are able to recline, people are going to recline in them… it’s a pretty simple concept. Sorry you had to deal with that passenger, but I’m glad you kept your seat reclined.”