To recline or not to recline?
Last week, two passengers were kicked off a United Airlines flight for an argument over reclining of seats.
In this case, one of the passengers was using ‘Knee Defenders’ – a device that clips onto the tray table to prevent the seat in front being able to recline. This resulted in a glass of water being thrown and the aircraft being diverted.
Legroom wars have long been a source of tension on scheduled airline flights, where high-altitude and tight confines (especially in economy) create a hotbed of personal space issues.
Some airlines are prohibiting use of the Knee Defender, but they are not illegal. The $21.95 device was created in 2003, and recent incidents have ignited a high-profile debate about aircraft etiquette and social behaviour. Airlines themselves are also debating the right to recline, and earlier this year Monarch Airlines announced plans to scrap reclining seats to prevent in-air arguments (a standard already set by Ryanair).
The ‘right to recline’ is one subject unlikely to discussed in relation to private aviation. When chartering a private jet, all the passengers are known to each other. So whilst we cannot rule out Board level debates, or toddler tantrums – it is unlikely the aircraft will be required to divert to resolve such disputes.
But more fundamental in terms of ergonomics, whilst the seats on-board a private jet do indeed recline (most to a flatbed position) there is plenty of room between seats, so as to not affect the other parties on-board.What this highlights is the need to preserve personal space at high-altitude – one of the (many) motivations to fly by private jet. For all of our passengers, it’s important to arrive fully rested and relaxed, whether for business or leisure. And with many scheduled airlines cutting economy legroom to try and boost profits, that proves more of a challenge.
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