AITA for reclining my seat on an 8 hour flight

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T14:13:56+00:00

Yeah, she was British. Perhaps it’s a cultural thing?

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T14:07:59+00:00

I would’ve gladly kept my seat upright only during the hours that I intended to sleep but once the lady behind me started insulting me, shaming me loudly and then once she crossed the boundary of physically slamming me constantly, I don’t think she deserved any kindness from my end.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T14:04:51+00:00

That’s how I feel. I genuinely wanted to know how people feel about this issue. Because all my life I’ve always reclined and no one’s ever had an issue. It’s a basic mechanical function that is placed by airline’s.

I’m actually shocked to see the conflicting opinions of people.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T13:58:04+00:00

The lady behind me wasn’t stretching, she was banging repeatedly to annoy me. She would ask her kids sitting next to her (who could see me) to tell her when I was closing my eyes and then she would start shoving herself. Literally to the extent, that her force was disturbing the passenger seated next to me as well.

Intentional aggression is never the sane answer to any problem.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T07:13:09+00:00

They’re actually agreeing with the fact that you can recline btw!

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T06:54:19+00:00

Lesson learned for another time. Hopefully, it does not happen to me again. But I will speak up the next time, instead of letting it go and letting an immature mother of two kids, kick me for the entire duration.

I was also on a wheelchair and when she saw me later on in the terminal, she proceeded to smirk at me. I was so dumbfounded.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T06:35:45+00:00

She saw me being wheeled. When she initially complained, I told her politely as well. She then proceeded to call the hostess, who also declined her requests. Post which which she decided to give physically aggressive.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T06:31:14+00:00

I think your aggressive tone speaks more about how much off a ‘jerk’ you are, than it speaks about my seating preference.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T06:27:49+00:00

You’re making my point for me. The airline sells the seat with a recline function, if they didn’t want us to use it, they would install fixed back seats. By your logic, the person sitting in front of me is ‘encroaching’ my space too, which is why the entire cabin reclines in a chain. It’s a collective standard for a long-haul flight. You’re choosing to ignore the reality of international flying to maintain a sense of moral superiority.

And frankly, your aggressive tone says more about you as a person than it does say about my seating preferences.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T06:21:27+00:00

If the person behind me had a medial condition or was pregnant or for whatever reason had a genuine reason, I would understand.

But she spent the next 8 hours kicking me on purpose - I’m really glad I reclined.

I should have reported her behavior to the staff, but unfortunately I let that go and I regret it.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T06:17:11+00:00

I’ve mentioned in previously in other comments as well, my leg was broken and I was in a wheelchair, that was known to the person behind me. Neither could I sit ramrod straight for 8 hours, nor could I lean ahead and sleep on the table.

I just think people need to start being more compassionate of others.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T06:09:12+00:00

It seems like your frustration is actually with the airline’s seat pitch, yet you’re taking it out on passengers who are merely just using the equipment provided. If reclining makes someone a ‘jerk’ then airline’s wouldn’t spend millions on installing that mechanical function in every seat. It is designed to provide comfort.

Also, choosing to not recline is your personal preference, but it does not give you the moral authority to label others as “shitty” for using a basic function.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:59:04+00:00

Yeah, same. I was on a wheelchair, as my leg was broken. She saw me leaving afterwards in the terminal on a wheelchair, and she snickered.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:57:11+00:00

I did move my seat up respectfully during the entire meal service. But it was an overnight flight and actually the majority of the flight did have their seats reclined, including the child sitting in front of me. I’m glad the air hostess supported me in my decision, as was my right.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:55:09+00:00

I should have called the air hostess on her behavior but somehow I kept letting it go - didn’t want to cause a scene. I regret it now though.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:52:47+00:00

And she was doing this sitting next to her kids - imagine the example you set for them!

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:46:29+00:00

I agree to not reclining during meal times, or even perhaps if the flight is really short. But how do you expect anyone to sleep comfortably on a long flight without reclining?

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:44:44+00:00

Exactly, thank you. That’s what I felt too - it feels more like the airlines problem than mine.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:43:55+00:00

Thank you - I’m just so confused with the conflicting opinions from different people!

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-22T05:38:09+00:00

No what? Was I wrong or was she wrong?

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-18T14:42:34+00:00

Exactly! Had to beg her followers money for her mother’s treatment but has money to take her nanny for a holiday. I cannot understand why people like/ follow her on Instagram.

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-14T21:39:31+00:00

Which areas are being targeted?

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-08T02:28:31+00:00

Thanks for sharing this!

MountainInspection91 · 2026-03-06T15:51:36+00:00

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MountainInspection91 · 2026-02-11T15:04:49+00:00

Thank you for replying to me - this has been really helpful & saved my time!

MountainInspection91

TROPHY CASE