There are three separate issues here.

One is - Is it appropriate for any person to recline their seat?

The other is - If you are a non-recliner and a seat is reclined unto you, what is the appropriate reaction?

The last is - If you recline unto a non-recliner and they ask for you to put your seat in the upright position, what is the ethical response?

For the first question, one way I can think to test this would be to examine the differences in total leg-room volume when everyone is not reclined against when everyone is reclined.

If I had more time in the day, I could certainly come up with more detailed, rigorous methods to discern the best possible outcome for passengers as it relates to reclining. There is some optimal answer here, so long as we choose our variable ( leg room, passenger satisfaction, etc. ). The best answer to this question would be based on the optimization of some dimension.

The second question is far more interesting. If you are a non-recliner a seat is reclined onto you, what do you do?

Your ultimate goal is to get the person to put their seat back to a more upright position. Your best bet is to remain truthful and look to elicit their sympathy. Also, be open to compromise. Do not expect them to go full upright.

First, I would see if there's an objective criteria that would allow you to ask for a decrease in their recline angle. Maybe you can't cross your legs. Maybe you can't read. Maybe the trey is hitting your stomach. There must be some material circumstance you can use as a basis for your case.

Second, I would ask for something specific, like "Can you move up half way?" Don't ask for them to go all the way up. They're going to interpret this as aggression and dig their heals in.

Third, be polite. Some people recline. Regardless of what's right in a Kantian sense, not everyone's a Kantian, so just be nice. I know you may think the guy is a jerk, whatever.

Finally, if they really try to jerk you around, stand your ground and just repeat your point. This is why you look for a really good objective basis. Just keep saying "Well, I know you wanna stay reclined, but I can't read my book". Eventually, people will change just because you're being annoying. Don't get angry, though. Just be annoying and seem sorta dumb.

The third question is somewhat answered by the previous. Meet the person half way. If they're being rude, tell them you don't appreciate their tone. I wouldn't recline all the way up unless they were really overweight, tall, or something else. Half way seems reasonable.

I've been typing this for too long. Hope everyone enjoys this. Interesting prompt.

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