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An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

evonomics.com

31–40 of 78 posts

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#31
post #28
post #5

For anyone who dislikes recliners - in what manner does it inconvenience you? For me, it's not useful space that is taken up, except perhaps transiently as I squeeze past my neighbours to get to the aisle. My knees are below the point that reclines. Are laptops the problem?

Can't use laptops, can't eat on the tray because there isn't enough space left, and can't watch the monitor on the back of the seat because it's facing down. So it's pretty inconvenient.

Don't most of these monitors swivel so that the monitor point is moot?

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#32
post #23
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Flying in a reclined seat is pure torture to me.

Flying is pure torture to me (being tall).

Try being tall and wide...

A frame that's great for setting picks in a basketball game is less than ideal in a narrow coach seat, especially on the aisle...

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#33
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can't use laptops, can't eat on the tray because there isn't enough space left, and can't watch the monitor on the back of the seat because it's facing down. So it's pretty inconvenient.

Pro tip almost all of those screens allow you to pull the bottom out to make it flat again. I don't think I've ever been on a flight this wasn't true on actually.

[deleted]

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#34
post #28
post #5

For anyone who dislikes recliners - in what manner does it inconvenience you? For me, it's not useful space that is taken up, except perhaps transiently as I squeeze past my neighbours to get to the aisle. My knees are below the point that reclines. Are laptops the problem?

Can't use laptops, can't eat on the tray because there isn't enough space left, and can't watch the monitor on the back of the seat because it's facing down. So it's pretty inconvenient.

Honestly, if you fly coach, don't plan on using a laptop. There really isn't enough room for your elbows and there probably isn't enough room for the laptop itself unless you have a mini version of some kind. I'm not saying it's the way things should be but it's the realistic expectation in standard coach.

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#35
post #24
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Flying in a reclined seat is pure torture to me.

What if we grouped the plane into two sections: those who want to recline, and those who do not? If you're a recliner behind a recliner, happy. If you're a non-recliner behind a non-recliner, happy. Split on the exit row, or hopefully at least one row of people who don't care.

It's not a terrible idea.

Economics requires, though, that the flying experience be made awful enough on average that customers are just barely willing to fly, versus their best alternative.

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#36
post #2

TLDR ask person in front of you not recline and compensate them with drink or other small gift and most likely they will accept it even without the gift

What is this blasphemy of treating humans like humans. It is crazy how many overly dramatic articles and situations could probably be resolved by simply civil dialog and discussion.

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#37
post #2

TLDR ask person in front of you not recline and compensate them with drink or other small gift and most likely they will accept it even without the gift

What is this blasphemy of treating humans like humans. It is crazy how many overly dramatic articles and situations could probably be resolved by simply civil dialog and discussion.

Because about half the time the response is extremely uncivil, so people are afraid to try the civil approach. So people do just as you say: treat humans like humans. Since humans are largely evil, that results in the behavior we see.

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#39

Flying without reclining my seat is pure torture to me. I find the default vertical position of the seats deeply uncomfortable. What if all seats had a slightly reclined angle already?

I don't understand how you can discern any difference between the upright position and the 1-2" recline position. I think you may be kidding yourself.

Re: An investigation into the economics of airplane seat reclining

#40
post #28
post #5

For anyone who dislikes recliners - in what manner does it inconvenience you? For me, it's not useful space that is taken up, except perhaps transiently as I squeeze past my neighbours to get to the aisle. My knees are below the point that reclines. Are laptops the problem?

Can't use laptops, can't eat on the tray because there isn't enough space left, and can't watch the monitor on the back of the seat because it's facing down. So it's pretty inconvenient.

I've done all three of those things on a reclined seat. Why weren't you able to?
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