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Reclining Airline Seats Are Disappearing From Economy Class
Condé Nast Traveler ^ | 4.15.2024 | Jessica Puckett

Posted on 04/16/2024 8:41:11 AM PDT by libh8er

Reclining seats are one of the most controversial airline amenities. For some, it's a necessity for getting comfortable on long flights. But for others, it's a source of broken laptops, spilled drinks, and mid-flight arguments.

No matter which camp you fall into, it's no secret that personal space in economy has slowly, but surely, eroded over the years. And as airlines release new seat designs, some travelers fear

When Southwest Airlines recently debuted its new cabins rolling out on planes in 2025, travelers were quick to take to social media complaining about the seemingly thin design. The airline has since confirmed that the new RECARO seats will have the same legroom, seat width, and recline capabilities as its current seating options. However, the internet backlash Southwest initially faced underscores just how protective fliers are over their legroom—what's left of it, that is.

While Southwest passengers can rest easy (for now), the recliner still risks an extinction in economy class as airlines increasingly opt for lighter seats, William McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, tells Condé Nast Traveler.

“This trend has been occurring for several years now, and I think it will continue,” says McGee. “Lighter seats are what the airlines want, because with the cost of jet fuel they are always looking to reduce weight onboard.”

Seats that don’t recline have fewer mechanisms inside and therefore weigh less, lightening the load on board each plane and helping reduce fuel costs considerably. “Recliners also require more maintenance, so that is an added cost as well,” McGee says. No-recline models have been flying for years on low-cost carriers like Spirit and Allegiant, who refer to the stationary seats as “pre-reclined,” as they’re molded at a slightly deeper angle than regular seats in the upright position.

(Excerpt) Read more at cntraveler.com ...


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: airlines; flying; recline; seats; travel
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1 posted on 04/16/2024 8:41:11 AM PDT by libh8er
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To: libh8er

I have a chair that bends backwards a bit, without reclining. Why can’t they do that? No moving parts and it’s more pleasent to lean back a couple of inches.


2 posted on 04/16/2024 8:44:09 AM PDT by Jonty30 (He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
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To: libh8er

Today’s reclining seats in economy class don’t recline very much. Not enough, IMO, to let you rest your head to nap.


3 posted on 04/16/2024 8:44:10 AM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: libh8er
But for others, it's a source of broken laptops, spilled drinks, and mid-flight arguments.

I'd like to see stats on this. Are laptops really getting broken?

I've never had an issue with leaning my seat back ... a necessity to get somewhat comfortable in an uncomfortable seat. Just do it slowly and just enough to provide comfort. No need to slam it all the way back.

4 posted on 04/16/2024 8:44:34 AM PDT by al_c (Democrats: Party over Common Sense)
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To: libh8er

higher prices and lower quality.

It happens to all products in a massive debt, bloated government, money-printing financialized economy.


5 posted on 04/16/2024 8:46:16 AM PDT by PGR88
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To: libh8er

I’m 6’2. My knees hit the seat even when it is upright. When I can’t get the exit row, I tell the person in front of me that I have had both knees replaced (true) and ask them to please not to recline their seat.


6 posted on 04/16/2024 8:48:52 AM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam only understands Death and Pain. Give it to them. )
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To: libh8er
For years I traveled almost every 2 weeks. My last flight was in Sept 2017. Most of my business travel shutdown in January 2009 when Obama took the stage. I frankly don't miss it. The advent of TSA made travel less pleasant. The travel department of my employer has figured out how to shakedown travelers for per diem allowances. Now the "woke" BS has made airline travel unsafe. At this point I just don't care what the airlines do to save money. I'm not flying.
7 posted on 04/16/2024 8:54:48 AM PDT by Myrddin
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To: libh8er

Wait till you see the semi-standing, semi seated, “leaners’ that are in the research and design flow now.


8 posted on 04/16/2024 8:54:54 AM PDT by William of Barsoom (In Omnia, Paratus)
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To: libh8er

And the first thing the airlines will do, is add more revenue producing seats off-setting the weight reduction from the non-reclining seats..

The last time I flew economy on an international flight, the person in front of me reclined their seat and it was impossible for me to eat the meal I was given because the back of their seat left me literally inches to get to the tray. Luckily the seat next to me was empty so I used that tray to place my meal. I was da*n glad it was my last international flight.


9 posted on 04/16/2024 9:00:36 AM PDT by GeorgiaDawg32
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To: libh8er

I miss the days when flying was a pleasant experience...


10 posted on 04/16/2024 9:07:14 AM PDT by Smittie (Just like an alien I'm a stranger in a strange land)
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To: libh8er

Airlines are increasing the size of the class (sometimes considered economy plus) between first class and economy.

They have seen in the last decade that some portion of economy class customers are willing to pay for a seat upgrade to economy plus, and I think they have seen more folks doing that over time.


11 posted on 04/16/2024 9:15:24 AM PDT by Wuli ( )
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To: libh8er

They may as well go to seating astraddle benches head to back. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ll never board another airplane. Travel is comfort adn value prohibitive for me.


12 posted on 04/16/2024 9:22:38 AM PDT by Sequoyah101 (Procrastination is just a form of defiance)
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To: libh8er
Reclining seats are one of the most controversial airline amenities. For some, it's a necessity for getting comfortable on long flights

Yeah, because 2”-4” of recline makes all the difference 🙄

I usually don’t even bother with the recline.

13 posted on 04/16/2024 9:29:03 AM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell>)
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To: libh8er

I can certainly see why the airlines are doing this. The last few cheap flights I’ve taken on Allegiant have had no recline seats. But the tickets were so cheap that it seemed like a reasonable concession. Plus I really didn’t miss the recline. Whatever angle they’ve got the seats set at was fine for these relatively short flights (~2 hours). Might be a different story for a long flight.


14 posted on 04/16/2024 9:37:31 AM PDT by Yardstick
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To: FatherofFive
I'm 6'3" myself and fly frequently in coach/economy.

Maybe I'm just not the complaining type but I don't think I've ever had an issue with reclining seats in front of me. As a big guy, I just accept the fact that the flight is not going to be the most comfortable experience for me. I envy the petite women who can be comfortable in those tiny seats however!

Overall, flying is not that stressful for me. I just bring a good book to read, some earphones, and a double vodka tonic before the flight doesn't hurt either!

15 posted on 04/16/2024 9:48:46 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (6,575,474 Truth | 87,429,044 Twitter)
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To: libh8er

Good. I hate it when someone encroaches into my space that’s cramped as it is.


16 posted on 04/16/2024 9:58:40 AM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus…)
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To: libh8er

What Flying Was Like in the 1960s
https://youtu.be/qDozRwcbX5A


17 posted on 04/16/2024 10:07:21 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: libh8er

One less thing for the Spirit airlines class of passengers to chimp out over.


18 posted on 04/16/2024 10:53:51 AM PDT by glorgau
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To: SamAdams76
a double vodka tonic

I prefer a single malt Scotch, but same ending!

19 posted on 04/16/2024 11:30:13 AM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam only understands Death and Pain. Give it to them. )
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To: All

Just my anecdotal experience of flying...

Was on a Delta flight to Minneapolis-St Paul to Kansas City.

Was seated in the last row. Behind me was a bulkhead for the bathrooms.

Obviously, there was a row ahead of me. My row and the row ahead were fixed seats. No reclining and there was almost no legroom. When I sat down, my knees pressed against the seat ahead of me.

Thank god I was only 5’11. it was a bit uncomfortable as it was but luckily, it was a relatively short flight. I’d have hated to have been on that plane for three-four hours or if I were taller.


20 posted on 04/16/2024 11:48:38 AM PDT by MplsSteve
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