Airline bans passengers after seat reclining row

Yet another in-air argument over when/if to recline your seat when flying.

Some folk just slam their seats back the moment their plane is airborne. Others have the courtesy to wait until after the first meal service before reclining.

I get it. If seats recline then you are free to use that facility.

A Chinese couple disagreed and has been banned from flying Cathay Pacific after a woman said she was harassed by the couple sitting behind her after she reclined her seat, Travel Mole reports.

A post of the incident has gone viral on a Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu showing footage of the altercation.

The airline responded by banning the couple for their behaviour.

Cathay says it has a "strict zero-tolerance policy" towards threatening behaviour and harassment.

The incident happened on a London bound flight from Hong Kong earlier this month. .

The victim said she was subjected to derogatory comments and gestures.

Seating free for all may be coming to an end

An American airline that is notorious for it's free-for-all seating policy is considering changes.

And the reason, you've guessed it, is money.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is known for its open single-class seating policy but could be changing, Travel Mole reports.

Southwest has one economy class cabin with no pre-assigned seating and mostly open boarding. 

Passengers are allocated to one of three boarding groups and it is then first come, first seated, unless you opt to pay a fee for early boarding.

Otherwise it is a bunfight as passengers try to save premium seats for their friends and anyone late boarding on a fuller flight gets a dreaded middle seat.

"Once onboard, simply choose any available seat and stow your carryon items in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you," the airline's website says

Now Southwest CEO Bob Jordan has said the airline is looking at changes.

“We’re looking into new initiatives, things like the way we seat and board our aircraft,” Jordan said this week.

Although, it touts its "simple and user-friendly" seating policy, this restricts the carrier's ability to make more money from fees.

Jordan said a review of passenger seating has resulted in "interesting" results.

“Customer preferences do change over time,” Jordan said.

While rival US airlines, including Delta and United, have introduced fee-paying choices for priority boarding, extra legroom seating, exit rows and others, Southwest has remained steadfast in its simple seating policy with no premium options.

But money talks. Stay tuned.

To recline or not to recline when flying?

Some airline passengers lack even the most basic regard for their fellow passengers.

You know the type. The seatbelt sign is switched off and they slam their seats into full recline mode within seconds.

They have to be told multiple times to bring their seats back up straight during meal service. And then slam it back again, sometimes sending drinks flying.

Surprisingly, a recent survey has found that 54.2% of Australian travellers claim that they wouldn’t recline their own seat, while 41.1% have a problem with the seat in front of them being reclined.

A sizeable 29.2% of travellers say they have no problem reclining their seats - and the real number is probably a lot higher.

Compare the Market surveyed Australians to find out what they think the general rules and considerations are when flying.

Among the key findings: 

# 13.36% of Australian flyers would hold going to the bathroom when flying, while another 29.96% would try to squeeze past other passengers without asking them to stand and be let out.

# In Australia, 18-24-year-olds are the least likely to declare that middle passengers should have both armrests.

# 67.7% of flyers say passengers in the middle seat should get one armrest.

For the full survey results visit: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/travel-insurance/features/flight-etiquette/