A woman reignited the debate over airplane etiquette this week after getting into a screaming match with a fellow passenger as she accused them of ‘pushing her seat repeatedly’ when she reclined it.
And now, in a bid to solve the argument, an etiquette expert has served up her thoughts around pressing the recline button mid-flight, with her advice being to refrain from it completely on short haul trips.
Katarina, who is based in Europe, points out in a TikTok that ‘seat reclining is not forbidden as the function is there.’
However, she says ‘it is good manners to always check on the passenger behind us before we recline.’
Katarina, who is based in Europe, points out in a TikTok that ‘seat reclining is not forbidden as the function is there’
To minimize the risk of angering your neighbors, the TikToker advises ’against seat reclining altogether on short haul flights’
The travel pro highlights that if someone behind you is ‘in the middle of a meal with the tray table open, or watching a movie on the seat screen,’ reclining your seat could ‘disrupt it’ and this would be an ‘inconsiderate’ action.
In Katarina’s TikTok, where she appears sat on a plane, she can be seen having a look behind her and checking it is ok before reclining her seat.
‘It’s important to take other passengers into consideration,’ she explains.
To minimize the risk of angering your neighbors, the TikToker advises ’against seat reclining altogether on short haul flights.’
Along with seat reclining, Katarina tackles a number of other issues regarding plane etiquette.
In another video, she advises passengers on how they should use the armrests.
She says blocking ‘fully blocking the armrests puts our fellow passengers into an uncomfortable position.’
To be a well-mannered traveler, Katarina recommends: ‘Please remember, if seated on the window or aisle seat, leave the middle armrests for the middle seat passenger as they deal with the smallest space out of those three.
Along with seat reclining, Katarina tackles a number of other issues regarding plane etiquette. In another video, she advises passengers on how they should use the armrests
@katarina.etiquette AIR TRAVEL ETIQUETTE, Part 3: The armrests 💺 Mutual respect and considerate behaviour are even more vital when flying as flights tend to get long and crowded. ❌ Fully blocking the armrests puts our fellow passengers into an uncomfortable position. ✅ Please remember, if seated on the window or aisle seat, leave the middle armrests for the middle seat passenger as they deal with the smallest space out of those 3. Moreover, the window and aisle seat each have an armrest on their own. ✅ Alternatively, the armrests can be shared by both passengers- one’s elbow is in the front, the other’s in the back of the armrest 🤗 #etiquette #etiqueta #etiquettetips #etiquetterules #airplaneetiquette #armrest #manners #socialetiquette
♬ original sound – Ian Asher
Another no-no, Katarina says, while flying is is ‘applying perfume, nail polish or other highly-scented cosmetics’
Continuing on the grooming theme, Katarina says nail filing, nail polishing, hair brushing or plucking should not be carried out
‘Moreover, the window and aisle seat each have an armrest on their own.
‘Alternatively, the armrests can be shared by both passengers with one elbow in the front and the other at the back of the armrest.’
Another no-no while flying, Katarina says, is ‘applying perfume, nail polish or other highly-scented cosmetics.’
Explaining why, she notes: ‘What might seem like a good way of spending time during a boring flight could turn into an allergic reaction from one of our fellow passengers.’
If you need to apply perfumed cosmetics, the etiquette expert recommends going to the lavatory or waiting until after the flight to do so.
Continuing on the grooming theme, Katarina says ‘nail filing, nail polishing, hair brushing or plucking’ should not be carried out as ‘an airplane is not a beauty salon’ and these acts ‘could leave a residue behind which could affect our fellow passengers.’
Again, she highlights: ‘We should always keep any personal hygiene for the lavatories, or simply wait until we are out of the aircraft.’
HOW TO RECLINE RESPECTIVELY
Like Katarina, New York-based etiquette coach Myka Meier told .com that everyone has the right to recline ‘no matter how others may feel about it.’ For those who plan of reclining, here are her top tips to avoid causing a stir:
1. Recline slowly: Make sure you don’t throw back your chair and instead, if you choose to recline it, do it gently and slowly so that if someone has a drink it doesn’t spill.
2. Avoid reclining during meals: If you are reclining, it’s considerate to bring your seat up to the take off and landing position during meal time. This is because it’s very difficult to eat when the seat ahead is reclined and it’s only fair that everyone gets to enjoy their meal.
3. Consider if you need the full recline or just a slight: Take into consideration those around you and their comfort as well. Perhaps just a slight recline for an hour will do rather than a full recline for two hours so that the person behind you stays comfortable too.
5. Look behind you before you recline: Take into account if the person is working on a laptop, drinking or is perhaps carrying a small child and needs the extra leg room. Think about others behind you before you decide to recline or not.