Man vows to 'never fly economy again' after 11-hour plane journey from hell

The debate over whether it's acceptable to recline your plane seat has fired up again after one man was left cramped behind a reclined seat for 11 hours.

Long haul flight (file)

No one wants to feel cramped on a long haul flight (stock) (Image: Getty Images)

The eternal dilemma of whether reclining a seat on a plane is inconsiderate has stirred up controversy yet again.

While some travellers tilt back their seats for a snooze, leaving the person behind them squished, others firmly believe the recline function should be outright banned. And one passenger has vowed to "never fly economy" again on long haul flights following his nightmare voyage.

Cory Lee vented on TikTok, posting a video of his tight quarters that amassed more than four million views.

The travel influencer, who often documents his adventures as a wheelchair user, said it was the most dreadful flight he's ever had.

Regarding the person seated ahead, Cory remarked: "He even stayed fully reclined for all meals! I know it's my own fault for booking economy, but I learned a very valuable lesson from this experience... if I cannot afford Premium or Delta One for flights over eight hours long, I will not be going on that trip."

@curbfreecorylee Worst flight of my life. He even stayed fully reclined for all meals! I know it’s my own fault for booking economy, but I learned a very valuable lesson from this experience… if I cannot afford Premium or Delta One for flights over 8 hours long, I will not be going on that trip! ?????? #skymileslife #flying #plane #planes #airtravel #airplane #skymiles ♬ original sound - Cory Lee

Viewers flocked to comment on the footage, with opinions fiercely split. Backing Cory, one viewer commented: "I would never recline out of respect of others."

Another declared: "Non-recliner here. I'd be mortified if I cut into someone else's personal space on an already tiny seat for 11 hours straight. You lose your table function, the screen is hard to see, it's miserable."

"Seats should not recline," chimed in a third. A fourth person said: "I agree. It is so claustrophobic. People really shouldn't recline unless there is nobody behind them. And no reclining yourself doesn't help much."

However, several individuals confessed to being habitual seat recliners. One person wrote: "I'll recline my seat the second I get on the plane." Another declared: "I recline immediately every time." One other added: "There's no way I'm not reclining for an 11 hour flight."

Would you recline your seat on a plane? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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