Sudden Recline of Airplane Seat Destroys Laptop... "90,000 Won Compensation Offered, No Warning" Sparks Controversy in US

Holding Airlines Accountable... Claims for a Complete Ban on Reclining Seat Backs

In the United States, a passenger's story about their laptop being damaged after the passenger in the seat in front suddenly reclined their seat back has come to light. Netizens have shared various opinions on the issue of 'airplane etiquette.'

According to the American online media Uniland on the 23rd (local time), podcast host Pat Cassidy's experience while flying with Delta Air Lines in 2020 has recently been reexamined online. Since then, calls to completely ban reclining airplane seats have been spreading.

The laptop of the passenger seated behind was damaged when the passenger in the front seat reclined their seat back onto the table.
[Photo by X (formerly Twitter)]

Earlier, Cassidy claimed on his X (formerly Twitter) that his laptop was damaged because the passenger in the seat in front reclined their seat, and he held the airline responsible.

He suggested to Delta Air Lines, "It would be good to leave a small warning sign or have a way to notify passengers to prevent laptops from being damaged when the person in the seat in front reclines their seat."

He also sarcastically said, "A flight attendant came to me and said, 'The passenger in the seat in front can recline their seat,' and only then did they ask if it was okay. I was very grateful." He added, "Delta Air Lines' seat ruined my livelihood."

Later, Cassidy revealed that Delta Air Lines offered him compensation of about $75 (approximately 90,000 KRW) after learning about the situation. He added, "Delta Air Lines still has not put a warning on the seat recline," calling it "a sad thing."

Cassidy's experience was recently reexamined on social media (SNS), leading to a heated debate about 'airplane etiquette.' One netizen expressed agreement with Cassidy's opinion, saying, "This is the most annoying thing when traveling. Reclining the seat is rude," while another netizen argued, "It is common sense not to lean fragile items against the seat in front because the seatback can recline."

Domestic netizens also shared various opinions about his story. They said, "It is polite to check the situation of the passenger behind before reclining your seat," "It is strange to say not to use the reclining function that is designed to be used," and "Instead of warning to refrain from using the seatback, there should be a warning to be careful when placing items on the tray table."