13 Oct 2024

Reclining seats on planes: Is there a legal remedy?

From Sunday Morning, 9:39 am on 13 October 2024

The thorny issue of reclining seats on planes has been debated for years and recently the BBC reported that a Hong Kong couple found themselves banned from Cathay Pacific after a woman claimed she was harassed for reclining in her seat. 

Colin Hunter, a Senior Associate in the Disputes team at law firm Hesketh Henry joins us to talk about where the law stands on the issue. 

Emirates airline, based in Dubai, UAE, is the largest operator of the Airbus A380-800. They expect soon their 100th plane and have 45 more in order. First class in A380 are closed suites, in Business class there are flat bed seats and in economy standard reclining seat with 18 inch seat width and 32-34 inch seat pitch. Every seat is equipped with inflight power with various adapters and individual entertainment system IFE. There is free wifi internet and a cheap unlimited option. In all seat various meals and beverages are provided. In the upper classes like Business or First there is available a bar in the upper floor with a lobby and a first class shower suite. 
 (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto) (Photo by Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

Photo: NICOLAS ECONOMOU