Enough with airplane seats that recline! Or, to be more precise, enough with people who recline them thoughtlessly. Please sit up and listen carefully to this important in-flight announcement: airlines should disable reclining in basic economy seats until passengers prove they can use them responsibly. And by “responsibly,” I mean: don’t recline at all. Or, if you absolutely must, do it politely and not for the whole flight.
I know a total ban might not be popular, but it’s the fairest and most practical solution. The tiny bit of comfort you gain from leaning back a few inches is nothing compared to the misery you cause the person behind you—especially if they’re trying to work on a laptop, eat, or rest their head on the tray table.
As you might have guessed, I’ve been that person. Forgive me for complaining about such a first-world problem, but I recently endured a miserable flight from London to Philadelphia. The passenger in front of me reclined the moment we took off and then spent the next seven hours fidgeting violently, as if battling bedbugs. I showed remarkable restraint, limiting my response to loud muttering, but if the flight had been any longer, things might have gotten ugly.
Reclining seats have already sparked plenty of air rage incidents. Just a few months ago, a Delta passenger was reportedly punched in the chest after an argument over a reclined seat. Along with alcohol, seat angles are a major cause of conflict at 30,000 feet. With air rage on the rise in the U.S., a ban seems like an obvious fix.
Speaking of obvious fixes, this feels like a job for Donald Trump. His administration recently took control of Washington’s Union Station from Amtrak. Surely our dear leader can now show the airlines who’s in charge? With one phone call, Trump could resolve the reclining seat crisis. Use that power, Mr. President—bring peace to the middle seat. It might even earn you a Nobel Peace Prize.
Arwa Mahdawi is a columnist for The Guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Arwa Mahdawis article Welcome aboard this flight Please return your seat to the upright positionpermanently
General Beginner Questions
Q What is this article about
A Its a satirical article that uses the metaphor of an airplane flight to critique how society particularly capitalism treats people It argues were all on a stressful declining flight with no way off
Q Who is Arwa Mahdawi
A She is a columnist and writer known for her sharp often humorous commentary on politics culture and capitalism for publications like The Guardian
Q What does the title mean return your seat to the upright positionpermanently
A Its a play on the standard airline safety instruction It suggests we are being asked to permanently accept a state of discomfort readiness for a crisis and reduced personal comfort for the safety and smooth running of a broken system
Q Is this article against air travel
A No not literally The airplane is just a metaphor The article is a critique of modern economic and social systems not actual flying
Deeper Meaning Themes
Q What is the main point or argument of the piece
A The main argument is that latestage capitalism feels like a dystopian flight where customer service is terrible conditions are worsening and were all just passive passengers being told to accept it without complaint
Q What does she mean by latestage capitalism
A This is a term often used to describe the perceived absurdities inequalities and crises of the current capitalist era where wealth is extremely concentrated and the system feels unsustainable for many
Q How does she use the flight metaphor
A She compares everything to a bad flight CEOs are incompetent pilots wealth inequality is the difference between first class and economy and being told to be resilient is like being told to put your seat upright for a perpetual emergency
Q What is she criticizing specifically
A Shes criticizing corporate greed the erosion of worker and consumer rights the expectation of endless resilience from ordinary people and the way power imbalances are presented as normal and unchangeable
Common Questions Interpretation
