A video showing a verbal altercation between two passengers over a reclined plane seat has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) and Tik Tok, which has reignited the hot debate about whether it’s ever okay to recline your seat on a short haul flight.

So let’s get into it. A short-haul flight is a flight that is no longer than 3 hours. These flights have seats onboard that do have the option to recline. There is no airline policy that says it is not okay to recline your seat during a short-haul flight, but the decision is ultimately left to the discretion of the passenger. 

As a passenger that travels on short-haul and long-haul flights frequently, my opinion on this matter comes down to the use of tray tables and the unspoken etiquette around them. Even though short-haul flights are, well, short, they do still run a drink, meal or snack service, which means tray tables are often in use. And when you’re on a long-haul flight and a meal service begins, flight attendants will often ask those passengers that haven’t put their seat back to do so, so that the person behind them has enough room to eat. So, it seems only polite to not recline your seat during a meal service.

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Also, those travelling on short-haul flights during business hours could also be in transit for work. If it is during work hours, you’ll see many drop their tray tables and open up their laptops the second the seatbelt sign is switched off. If someone reclines their seat, it’s almost physically impossible to continue working. 

Eliminating the tray table argument, I’m fully aware that the option is there for passengers to recline their seats, but personally, I refrain from doing so on a short-haul flight out of courtesy to the passenger behind me. I know how cramped it is when someone reclines their seat. If you’re seated in Economy, there’s barely enough room for your knees, so when that precious leg room is taken from you, it makes for an uncomfortable flight. And I think we can all last up to three hours seated upright. 

If you do feel the need to recline, there’s no harm in checking quickly if it’s okay with the person sitting behind you. Never underestimate the power of common courtesy. 

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