It doesn't matter whether you're flying first class or economy, the same rules apply when it comes to reclining your seat. That's exactly what one 6'3 man pointed out when travelling on a four and a half hour flight from one state to another.
He explained how he bought a first class ticket for the extra leg room knowing he's a "big guy" - but never expected to receive such a reaction when he reclined his seat for maximum comfort.
Taking to Reddit, he said: "I look back to make sure the person behind me doesn't have a laptop out or anything, then slowly recline my seat back. Especially up at the front of the plane, usually no one has any issues at all.
"Within 20 seconds of reclining back, this dude taps me on the shoulder and says 'Raise your damn seat.' Genuinely surprised, I moved it up to appease the guy."
However, the man asked a flight attendant to inform the complaining passenger about his intension to lower his seat again once meal service ended.
She reassured me that's my prerogative, so I didn't worry about it.
"After meal service, did my routine and reclined the seat. Dude taps me again and says 'I asked you to move your seat up, man.'
"I turn and say, 'You're welcome to talk to the flight attendant about it.' He called her over, and she reiterated that I was entitled to recline my seat."
He says the passenger - also around 6'3 in height - didn't say anymore about it but made sure to give him dirty looks as they disembarked.
Wanting to know whether he was in the wrong, he added: "Honestly I feel I was respectful about it, but I just wasn't going to sit up straight for four hours after paying for a ticket in first."
In response, one user said: "It frankly sounds like you were more considerate than most.
"You checked for a laptop - which is a super considerate move that probably only frequent flyers would think of. That guy was being more than a bit entitled.
"First class has plenty of room. You paid for a seat that reclined. The flight attendant backed you up. It's not on you, my friend."
Another user added: "Why would that be an issue? First class cabins I've been in have heaps of space between rows so a reclined seat wouldn't affect the passenger behind."
A third user said: "It doesn't bother me much when people recline their seats, even though I'm a big girl, because it's their right as paying customers to use any and all available features.
"You're correct, there is plenty of room in first class so it shouldn't have infringed on his space."
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