You've finally managed to fall asleep on the plane, reclining your seat ever so slightly, and then you feel a soft tap on your shoulder. "Please return your seat to its fully upright position," the flight attendant says.
The abrupt wake-up call may feel like an unnecessary nuisance, but there's an important safety reason why passengers aren't allowed to recline their seats during takeoff and landing. So much so that in the US, the rule is enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), says former flight attendant Lia Ocampo.
“Keeping seats upright during takeoff and landing is required for safety,” she tells Traveler. “Flight attendants make an announcement to ensure all seats are upright. They enforce this rule, and passengers must comply.”
Here’s a closer look at the safety requirements behind why your airline seat must be upright for both takeoff and landing.
Takeoff and landing are critical phases of flight
One confusing part of the regulation is the timing of flight attendants’ requests. It can feel frustrating when you just want to settle into your seat, recline, and get cozy before pushback. So why must your seat only be upright during takeoff and landing? Although these phases of flight are short and routine, they are among the most accident-prone stages aboard an aircraft. About 20% of fatal accidents occur during takeoff and the plane’s initial climb, and about 47% of them occur during the final descent and landing, according to recent data from Boeing. As such, cabin crew take special precautions during these times to ensure maximum safety for everyone on board.
Potential evacuations could go faster with upright seats
If an incident does occur during takeoff or landing, it’s possible that hundreds of passengers will need to evacuate the plane in a matter of seconds. “A reclined seat can trap the passenger behind you during an evacuation,” Ocampo explains. “The passenger behind you has less space to get up and evacuate quickly.” Although leaning your seat back an extra inch or two might not seem like a major safety hurdle, it can make a big difference in an airline cabin that might be smoky and chaotic in the face of an emergency. “An upright seat allows for quicker evacuations, reducing the time needed to exit the aircraft,” Ocampo says.
It leaves room for the brace position in an emergency
In the case of a hard landing or other safety incident, flight attendants could instruct passengers to assume the brace position. In the brace position, fliers generally are instructed to bend forward at the waist and stabilize their head with their hands by leaning on the seat in front of them. This helps protect their heads and necks from flailing on harder-than-usual impact. (The positions are usually shown in the safety card in the seatback pocket.) A passenger behind a reclined seat could be prevented from assuming the most ideal brace position in an emergency. “It can also increase the impact and the risk of injury,” Ocampo notes.
Although it might seem irritating to sacrifice extra room in a snug economy seat by putting your seatback upright, cabin crew aren’t asking you to do so in order to be a nuisance. “Remember, flight attendants are there to keep you safe, so don't make their job hard by not complying,” Ocampo says. “Following these mandated rules makes life easier and safer for everyone on the plane, especially during an emergency.”