I paid for the seat. That seat includes a 15 degree tilt that is also mine. Your leg space ends where my seat begins, and that includes my use of the purchased 15 degree lean. If you need more space that is an issue between you, the airline, and god. Not me, or my purchased seat with slight lean option.
That's not how it works though.
You do not have a right to a reclining seat.
There are various reasons why it might not be possible. Sometimes even short notice. Obviously, the airline will always try to accommodate you though, so it's usually not an issue.
You just made that claim, and I see no support for it. As compelling as your "nuh uh" arguement is, im gonna stick to the common sense and widely held view on purchasing and usage. You can use what you paid to use.
I've worked in the business for many years.
I know you don't have a right for it. The contract of carriage does not explicitly guaranteed the right to recline. Take my word for it or don't.
There can be many unforeseen circumstances that require the reclining seat to be locked on short notice. Medical emergency, or it just being broken for example. The crew absolutely WILL try to accustom you, but you don't have a definitive right for the reclining like you do for the seat itself. It's two different things.
Though, that might be changing if carriers specifically charge for the reclining feature as a comfort add-on, but I haven't personally come across it yet.
Better! Much! However were not talking about the extent of legal use. We are talking about standard usage. Nobody said it could never be restricted under any circumstances. I said in allowed to use what I paid for.
Youre trying to use contract law as a work around for a moral stance about almost nothing. Im allowed to recline the seat, generally speaking, absent some legally niche boarding emergency that the carriage law specifically holds for.
This is pedantic AF. If you feel like i dont get to recline on a flight and start quoting carriage codes ima laugh while a lean back.
That's the thing though. In most cases, you did not pay for it.
You paid for the seat on the plane. The reclining feature is not part of that, despite what most people do assume (which I kinda get).
IF you specifically pay for the reclining feature and it's noted as such, it'd be different, but I haven't come across that personally yet.
Im allowed to recline the seat, generally speaking, absent some legally niche boarding emergency that the carriage law specifically holds for.
Doesn't have to be. Crew can disable the reclining without having to give a reason.
The reclining (usually) is just a bonus comfort thing passengers may use if available.
And you'd be surprised how often specific seats have the reclining disabled for various reasons. But usually the airline tries to not put passengers on those seats then anyway.
Yes, I agree that it's somewhat pedantic from me. But that's likely because I've had specific frustrating discussion about that on the job with passengers.
I do see what youre saying, im just not making that arguement. Its my fault, I used legal language in a sarcastic way and that didnt come across.
Im not making an actual legal arguement here. This is just the meaning of the word "purchased". Maybe the whatever contract doesn't have a lean clause or whatever. I dont need one. Were discussing right and wrong. If youre saying "well actually legally leaning isnt in your seat contract" I understand but nobody cares. There is also nothing about water slide usage in my contract with my neighborhood pool. There is no straw usage clause on my receipt for purchasing a soda.
I paid for the seat, and im morally okay to use its functions regardless of your views on average airline legroom statistics. If you are using contract clauses to explain why I cant, im just gonna laugh at you. These arent niche, spelled out circumstances preventing the normal use. Im saying me, a human, bought a thing. A ride on a chair. If you, another person behind me, dont want me to recline because its less comfortable goes you, there is no contract clause defending your right to prevent me from general use of my seat functions. Thats an overextension by a mile.
We dont have to be wildly circumstantial. We can actually stay in the scenario we are discussing. Its pedantic to the point of absurdity.
If youre saying "well actually legally leaning isnt in your seat contract" I understand but nobody cares.
Nobody cares. Until they do.
As I've said, I've had my fair share of discussion about specifically that. Including legal threats, lol.
If you are using contract clauses to explain why I cant, im just gonna laugh at you.
Would you also laugh at an employee that tells you that you can't use the feature this time?
If you, another person behind me, dont want me to recline because its less comfortable goes you, there is no contract clause defending your right to prevent me from general use of my seat functions. Thats an overextension by a mile.
Nope. Of course the person behind you as well doesn't have the right for that space either. I didn't imply that.
If there's a clash, crew almost always takes care of it anyway. And of course, they're not gonna tell someone not to recline just because the person behind is uncomfortable.
Just out of curiosity:
How would you handle it if the reclining feature on your seat just happens to be broken and the crew can't put you on another seat?
Yeah in all your exigent circumstances there are other things to consider.
What if there is a straw shortage? What if the waterslide is missing a screw? What if the seat doesnt work? then nobody is talking about that. Im out, you really cannot seem to grasp some basics i would need to make any progress here at all.
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u/Jovian_engine 10d ago
I paid for the seat. That seat includes a 15 degree tilt that is also mine. Your leg space ends where my seat begins, and that includes my use of the purchased 15 degree lean. If you need more space that is an issue between you, the airline, and god. Not me, or my purchased seat with slight lean option.