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La-Z-Boy calls for airplane seat reclining ban amid growing controversy

La-Z-Boy calls for airplane seat reclining ban amid growing controversy
Policy
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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

La-Z-Boy has initiated a campaign to ban the reclining of airplane seats, garnering significant attention and support. The furniture company argues that while comfort is essential, it should not come at the cost of another passenger's comfort. This petition, as reported by CNBC Travel, has already collected over 186,000 signatures. La-Z-Boy encourages people to join their #BanReclining pledge for a chance to win a recliner and $500 in airfare.

The debate over seat reclining is divisive among passengers. Some enjoy the extra comfort, while others find it inconvenient for those seated behind them. Nelly Martinez Garza, La-Z-Boy's Senior Director of Consumer Marketing, stated: “La-Z-Boy has spent nearly 100 years innovating and crafting the most comfortable, high-quality recliners. While this continues to set our products apart, we believe comfort shouldn’t come at others’ expense. Our #BanReclining campaign is simple: Just because you can recline doesn’t mean you always should.”

To illustrate its point, La-Z-Boy released videos showing how seat reclining can disrupt other passengers' experiences. These clips depict drinks being spilled and laptops displaced due to reclining seats and conclude with the message: "Recline at home. Not on your flight."

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The campaign launched during Thanksgiving travel rush urges passengers to keep seats upright in cramped airline spaces. The company emphasized: “Airplane etiquette — specifically if and when it is appropriate to recline — is a highly charged and polarizing subject."

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian weighed in on the issue back in 2020: “I think customers have the right to recline...The proper thing to do if you recline into somebody is that you ask if it's OK first." His comments followed an incident where an American Airlines passenger experienced her seat being punched after she reclined.

Incidents involving broken laptops or upset passengers have highlighted how contentious this issue can be. Legal challenges have even arisen from seating disputes; earlier this year, Singapore Airlines was ordered to compensate two passengers after their seats failed to recline electronically.

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