Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
07 October 2013 09:06
Reclined seats is a common bugbear for air travellers
Air passengers have called for a ban on seats being reclined or for set times to be introduced when it is allowed during flights.
Having the person in front lounging back and infringing on personal space is a familiar discomfort for regular travellers - it may be especially tortuous for pregnant women - and a survey by global travel site Skyscanner certainly bears that out.
Nine out of 10 respondents (91%) said seat reclining should either be banned or only allowed during set times on short-haul flights.
Around four in 10 (43%) think there should also be seat reclining limits on long-haul flights.
However, women in the process of booking their pregnancy travel insurance for flights in the near future might be justified in fearing the worst, as the poll revealed that seven out of 10 travellers (70%) would not be put off reclining their seat even if the person behind was pregnant.
Eight out of 10 (80%) even said they would not care if the person behind was elderly or frail.
The most considerate travellers according to the survey are women aged 18 to 24, while the most self-centred travellers were likely to be men aged over 35.
Levels of anger could be lessened if travellers asked permission of their fellow flyers before reclining their seat, the poll suggested, although a third of people were too worried about the reaction they'd receive and most (64%) had never done so.
And it's not just passengers who suffer from reclining seats, with airline staff having to deal with the regular bust-ups arising from the issue.
More than 60% of 900 international cabin crew who were also questioned said they have either been involved in or witnessed a dispute between passengers due to reclined seats.
Psychologist Dr Becky Spelman, clinical director at the Private Therapy Clinic in Harley Street, said the poll results come as little surprise.
"The strong support for a change in reclined seat procedures makes sense. The effect of people reclining their seat can result in various negative emotions such as anger, stress, anxiety, frustration and upset for the passenger behind them," she said.
"This emotional impact can result in a whole range of unhelpful behaviours, including air rage."
19 February 2019
Hundreds of passengers have had their travel plans cancelled following the collapse of airline flybmi.
[more...]
16 February 2019
Holidaymakers were left fuming after a "lack of clarity" over Brexit led a Romanian airline to cancel flights from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.
15 February 2019
British Airways celebrated Valentine's Day with a special flight where all members of the cabin crew were couples who work for the airline.
14 February 2019
The "concerning" level of stigma surrounding the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be putting some women off going for vital check-ups, campaigners are warning.
13 February 2019
Older people living with depression should be given better access to community activities and therapy instead of being prescribed antidepressants, researchers have urged.
12 February 2019
The Government has been criticised for failing to act on warnings about the link between processed meats and cancer, by the scientist who co-authored the original advice.
09 February 2019
A grandfather who has battled three types of cancer is cycling from Twickenham to Tokyo in time for the Rugby World Cup - all in aid of charity.
08 February 2019
Lovers of traditional fish and chips are embracing a more health-conscious version of their favourite food, a new study suggests.
07 February 2019
Two thirds of UK adults don't know they're able to lower their risk of developing dementia, new research has shown.
06 February 2019
More than 600 people a day are quitting their jobs to care for relatives, a charity has warned.
05 February 2019
Millennials in the US face an increasing risk of developing an obesity-related cancer, a new study has revealed.
02 February 2019
More than 100 people sought refuge at a pub high on Bodmin Moor overnight after heavy snowfall hit the A30, leading many stranded motorists to abandon their cars.