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Dispute turns ugly over Knee Defend

Americans kick back against the vice-like grip of a Knee Defend that is stopping their right to recline.

Americans kick back against the vice-like grip of a Knee Defend that is stopping their right to recline.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for economy seat passengers who have to spend hours wrangling in tighter-than-tight chairs.

Now, a company has decided to take a swipe at those “deviants” who choose to use the recliner option on their chair, resulting in a tighter squeeze for the passenger behind them.

The Knee Defender (that’s TM) is, according to innovators Gadget Duck, a truly practical travel accessory.

A vice-like gadget halts the ability for the chair in front of you to recline, protecting your leg room while protecting you from “economy class syndrome” or deep vein thrombosis.

What the officials say

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Image Source: itstactical.com

America’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appears not to be too fussed about the introduction of these “nifty” gadgets. They have claimed that the clips were not against federal aviation rules as long as they weren’t used during taxiing, takeoffs or landings.

The knee-jerk reaction to less leg room has also seen the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) look into the potential of broadening their economy class seats to coincide with the lengthening and widening of today’s passengers.

What the critics say

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According to Skift, most American travellers are ready to defend their right to recline.

In fact 66 per cent don’t want to see the contraption in use.

However, reclining has also been the cause of a few nasty in-flight brawls between reclinees and recliners.

Just recently a Delta Airlines flight to Queens was forced to land in Jacksonville after a bust-up broke out between two female passengers. One, attempting to sleep on her tray table was accosted by another who had attempted to push back her seat.

Another occurred on a United Airlines flight after two passengers couldn’t come to terms with who gets to push and who gets to shove.

Despite the attack on the Knee Defend, sales of the quirky contraption have skyrocketed over the past few months.

Have your say: Are you for or against the Knee Defend?