Madam, - Keith L. Alexander's excellent article on the right of aeroplane passengers to recline their seats (Weekend, November 1st) raises a most important issue for long-flight travellers, of which I was one recently. Alexander highlights the growing use of a device named "the knee defender".
I recently travelled to Chicago on an eight-hour flight with Aer Lingus. I was placed in a middle seat in a middle row, packed in like a sardine. Before take-off, an excellent video presentation illustrated, in cartoon format, how the passenger should react in the event of an emergency landing.
The video showed the passenger with ample knee leg and body room. However, as I sat trapped, with my knees very close to my chin, I experienced what life must be like as a battery hen.
It seems to me that Aer Lingus is only just short of putting in handrails along the aisles to facilitate standing passengers, thereby maximising profits; or does it believe all Irish passengers are leprechauns?
Alexander rightly highlights the right of passengers to "recline" their seats. I wish to highlight the right of the passenger to be able to move or stretch a little without possibly causing to air rage.
It seems to me that Aer Lingus is now treating its customers the same way it treats its excellent staff. - Yours, etc.,
TOMMY MORRIS,
Castletown Estate,
Leixlip,
Co Kildare