A plane passenger’s laptop was inadvertently destroyed when the person seated in front of him reclined their seat during a flight from Austin to LA in 2020. The incident was shared on Twitter by the aggrieved passenger, film producer and podcaster Pat Cassidy.
Cassidy expressed his dismay with a tweet stating, “Small note for the suggestion box, maybe have a little warning sign or some way to prevent my laptop from being destroyed when the person in front of me reclines their seat.”
He also voiced his frustration at the airline staff’s response. He mentioned that a flight attendant checked on the reclining passenger’s well-being, seemingly overlooking the damage to Cassidy’s laptop.
The incident has ignited a debate on social media, with many users weighing in on the etiquette and practicality of reclining seats on modern flights.
Some users called for a ban on reclining seats, or at least a redesign, given the cramped conditions in today’s economy class.
They argued that seats in the past were more spacious, making reclining less intrusive. Others called for increased consideration among passengers, suggesting they notify others before reclining.
However, there were those who defended the right to recline. One user pointed out that passengers should be able to use features provided by the airlines without restrictions.
Another mentioned potential health reasons, like back pain, for needing a reclined position.
With varying opinions, it’s clear that the debate on the reclining rights and responsibilities of air travelers is far from settled.