The issue of reclining a seat is a constant source of conflict among airline passengers and online debate.
While many consider doing so for short periods of time to be inconsiderate as it significantly reduces the passenger space behind you, others argue that this should not be a concern of travelers as airlines must design cabins in a way that Allow each passenger to use every feature of their seat. A survey by The Vacationer found that 77% of passengers think it's rude to recline your seat for the entire flight, while only 27% think it's okay as long as the other passenger doesn't complain.
Related: Travelers are largely fine with these gross airplane behaviors, survey finds
On the other hand, those who cannot recline their seat may sometimes also have cause for complaint.
The travelers' lawsuit said they were “treated like economy class passengers”
This week, an Indian court ruled that a couple on a Singapore Airlines plane (SINGF) On a flight from Hyderabad, India, to Singapore, they were owed almost $2,400 after their seats did not recline and they had to sit upright during the four-hour, fifty-minute flight.
More about travel:
- Another National Park just made your visit more difficult.
- Delta Air Lines makes a luggage change that travelers will like
- United Airlines Passenger Incident Prompts Rapid Response
Anjali and Ravi Gupta had paid 66,750 Indian rupees (approximately US$800) for each ticket. They were initially offered 1,000 Singapore Airlines loyalty points each for their inconvenience, but, as first reported by local Indian media, they refused and took the matter to court.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Hyderabad city in Telangana province, of which Ravi Gupta is the director general of police, ordered the airline to refund each passenger 48,750 Indian rupees (approximately $584). Americans) each along with 12% interest and an additional INR 100,000. ($1,198 USD) for “mental agony and physical suffering” and INR 10,000 ($120) for expenses related to the lawsuit. The total will amount to approximately $2,400 USD combined.
Local outlet Deccan Chronicle said the Guptas claimed they were “treated like economy class passengers” in the complaint.
Related: A former aviation minister has been arrested for fraud
Singapore Airlines has acknowledged the malfunction and the court ruling
In a statement to reporters, Singapore Airlines said it “recognizes the decision of the Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission” and that there were “no problems” on the Guptas' connecting flight to Australia.
“The flight duration from Hyderabad to Singapore is usually around four hours,” the airline added. “As it was a full flight, Singapore Airlines staff were unfortunately unable to resettle customers elsewhere in the Business Class cabin. Our team proactively checked on these customers regularly and offered to manually recline the seat when necessary. “We apologize to Mr and Mrs Gupta for the inconvenience caused by this mechanical issue.”
After news of the court ruling broke, many in India debated whether the Guptas got a big deal for a minor inconvenience or were right not to settle for the small points payout initially offered by the airline.
In 2023, Australia's flagship airline Qantas Airways, QUBSF, faced a similar situation when the recline function on a long-haul flight from Australia to Hawaii failed and the affected business class passenger had to be moved to economy class due to lack of other seats in the higher fare class.
Related: Veteran Fund Manager Picks 3 Best Value stocks for 2024
