Three flights in nine days have been diverted after altercations between passengers over legroom and reclining seats.
For tall passengers, the ever-shrinking amount of space in economy class seats is a pain, literally. But inventions like the Knee Defender, which stops the seat in front of the user from reclining, are banned on many airlines and encroach on another passenger’s right to recline their own seat.
On many flights, coach tickets allow for only 32-33 inches of legroom, with more space available at a higher price. Many people feel their tempers flare when the person in front of them leans back, and recent disputes have been problematic enough that flight crews felt physically threatened, forcing pilots to land planes and remove the dueling passengers.
How hard are you willing to fight for your personal space on a plane, and how much are you willing to pay? Is it the fault of a few passengers that these flights have been diverted, or is there a larger problem with space squeezing across the industry? Are cramped seats worth it for lower prices? Should everyone be allowed to recline freely?
Guest:
Seth Kaplan, Managing Partner, Airline Weekly