Plane Passenger's Take on Reclining Seats Goes Viral—Sparks Debate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A video of a plane passenger revealing their "biggest pet peeve" is the act of reclining seats has gone viral on TikTok.
The video was shared by @morganonthemap_ and has amassed over 837,000 views since it was shared on May 22.
A caption shared with the post says: "Seat planes reclining is my biggest pet peeve."
The video shows a woman on a plane showcasing the legroom behind a seat that appears to have been reclined.
Text overlaid on the clip says: "Maybe a hot take but if you think an extra 5 percent comfort for you is worth 95 percent discomfort for the person behind you, you should not be flying long haul in economy."
The passenger's sentiment in the viral clip was met by disagreement from many other TikTok users.
However, in a June 2023 survey of 1,000 plane passengers in the U.S. and Canada, conducted on behalf of the travel booking website Kayak, those surveyed said "you are allowed to recline your seat" because 88 percent of travelers say "the button is there for a reason."
The woman's frustration over reclining seats is understandable because the lack of legroom is not just inconvenient but also comes with health risks, noted a January 2019 study published in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics.
The study, done among Spanish adult plane passengers, noted that "the increase of economy class airline seats is necessary because immobility on airplane flights can develop different pathologies, such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism known as economy class syndrome."
'Seats Are Made To Recline' vs. 'Should Not Be Allowed'
The viral clip has divided users on TikTok, with many disagreeing with the original poster, while some sided with her.
User elmint said: "God forbid someone uses a function of the seat they paid for ????"
User jordyne<3 noted: "I paid for it. If it reclines...I'm going to recline."
User katjosephcreative noted: "Seats are made to recline. Take it up with the airlines."
Laura wrote: "Personally I think if you can't handle a seat being reclined in front of you as it was designed to be then *you* shouldn't fly long haul economy."
User rochelaise85 noted: "Flight attendant over here. IT IS OK TO RECLINE YOUR SEAT. They are built this way, their function is for your comfort. If everyone reclines, everyone's fine. Except during meals."
User karliisandoval agreed, saying: "Just recline your own seat, you'll be fine."
User Emmalyse was more understanding of the original poster, saying: "People are so annoying, it is rude to recline your seat, especially for a long flight the entire flight."
Alanna added: "This drives me insane!! Should not be allowed. I had this to and from New York last year!! So rudeeeee."
Zilla Persona said: "Reclining the seat does *nothing* for the person reclining and makes everything worse for the person behind them."
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
Stock image: A back view of passengers seated on a plane.
Stock image: A back view of passengers seated on a plane.
Getty
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