The dispute over airplane etiquette has once again taken center stage after a mother-of-two went viral for venting her frustration at a fellow flyer who reclined his seat in front of her during a three-hour flight from Cairns to Adelaide, Australia.
Her post, uploaded to TikTok, has already drawn more than 4.3 million views, but also fierce backlash from travelers divided over who was in the wrong.
“When the guy in front of you puts his seat back when he has an empty seat right next to him,” the mother, identified as Norton, wrote. She added that once the seat tipped back, it was “30 cm from [her] face.”
A mother went viral after revealing how a passenger reclining his seat left her struggling for space on a plane
Image credits: matildanorton
Norton explained that she had been seated in the middle with her 10-month-old baby on her lap and her 2-year-old by the window.
In her viral clip, she can be seen struggling to corral the children as they play with toy airplanes and tractors, visibly pressed for space.
That’s when the passenger in front suddenly reclines his seat, snapping it back into her already cramped area.
With the chair just 30 centimeters from her face, Norton said she was left with virtually no room to move, let alone tend to her children.
Image credits: matildanorton
The situation, she explained, made it hard to breastfeed and retrieve the toys her toddler dropped. She called the move inconsiderate, noting that the passenger “could have moved over and put the other seat back, where there was no baby behind him.”
“Or, when he laid down across both seats, he could have at least put his seat upright since he wasn’t even using it,” she vented online.
“I know everybody has the right to put their seat back, but where is the common courtesy? We had no space.”
Debate ensued, with many accusing Norton of being entitled while others defended the front passenger’s right to recline his seat
As is often the case with airline complaints, the video turned into a lightning rod for debate.
“As a mom of 2 toddlers: Don’t make others responsible for your choice to fly with small children,” one wrote.
“It’s HIS seat. Hope that helps,” another added.
Others accused Norton of hypocrisy.
“So let me get this right. You won’t switch places with your kid because you want him to have a window, but expect a stranger to give up their comfort for you? That’s a new level of entitlement,” one commenter said.
Others empathized with Norton, ultimately placing the blame on airlines for shrinking seat space
Image credits: Surachetsh/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)
But Norton wasn’t without defenders, with some framing her ordeal as the inevitable result of airlines reducing seat space and soaring prices that force passengers into increasingly uncomfortable accommodations.
“I think airlines need to get rid of reclining seats in economy,” argued one viewer.
Image credits: matildanorton
“People have the right to complain,” another added. “They even have the right to be upset, but this paradigm is so emblematic of the problems in the US.
“We blame our fellow passengers for reclining their seats, when it is the airline that made the seats that way. Be mad at the airline, not the person following the airline’s rules.”
Image credits: matildanorton
A third one agreed.
“Customers should direct their anger at airlines and plane manufacturers. The only thing I can think of that’s more torturous than sitting in any airline’s seat is having my teeth drilled.”
Experts urged people to be more considerate of others, noting that a small degree of courtesy can go a long way in defusing situations like these
Image credits: matildanorton
To better understand the situation, Bored Panda spoke with Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert at The Protocol School of Texas, who said that while reclining may feel like a right, it should also be treated as a responsibility.
“While it’s more comfortable to recline your seat and relax when you’re on an airplane, it’s important to be aware of the people you are inconveniencing,” Gottsman explained.
“You may have paid for a seat that reclines, but if you are resting your seat against someone’s knees behind you, it’s a discourtesy to your fellow passenger.”
She suggested that passengers take a moment to gauge the situation before leaning back.
“A good rule of thumb is to look back to assess the situation. If they have their tray table down, are using their computer, or have extremely long legs, your consideration would be appreciated.”
Image credits: DC Studio/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)
For those caught on the receiving end, Gottsman recommended seeking help rather than confrontation.
“If you were the one who is being inconvenienced, you can ask the flight attendant for assistance and let them handle the situation.”
“Did you talk to him?” Netizens believe the issue could’ve been handled better with some communication
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