Absolutely nothing irritates me more than a lack of consideration. Combine that with economy class seating, and I am not in a good place.
Yes, I am 194cm tall and yes, I can opt and pay for an exit row seat in economy class but on this occasion, a Qantas A330 flight from Perth to Singapore, I wanted to try the no-frills economy class experience.
It would have been an ok experience but for an inconsiderate passenger in 25B who insisted on reclining her seat.
Was she a young "it is my right" inconsiderate? No. Rather a lady in her 70s who should have known better.
Is it her right to recline her seat? Of course, it is.
But was it an overnight flight? No! Daylight from noon to 5 pm.
Did she sleep? No! Watched movies.
It requires zero intelligence to work out how cramped it is in economy these days so unless it’s a late night or overnight flight the right thing to do is NOT to recline your seat – or at least just one notch and not the full recline.
The passenger did bring her seat back to its upright position during the meal at the behest of the sympathetic flight attendant but slammed it back into my face as soon as the meal was over so I had barely a one-hour respite.
Strangely her husband in 25A did not recline his seat the whole flight and he appeared to be a more considerate soul as compared to the “matron” in front of me.
I looked around the immediate cabin and no other seats were being reclined, which was pleasing.
So was I being punished for something I did in a previous life? Whatever my sin I will opt and pay for an exit row next time.
So come on people, economy class is a challenge at the best of times and requires loads of consideration to make the experience at least bearable and there is nothing more irritating than the person in front reclining their seats into your face.
SO PLEASE DON'T RECLINE YOUR SEAT UNLESS IT'S AN OVERNIGHT FLIGHT.
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