Monarch Airlines to Get Rid of Reclining Seats to Reduce Air Rage

An airline is trying to reduce air rage by doing away with reclining seats. Monarch airline will be introducing non-reclining seats across its entire fleet.

Starting this summer, Monarch will add the new non-reclining seats to create more "living space" for passengers after research showed that reclining seats are unpopular among travelers, the Daily Mail reports.

Surveys showed that nine in ten travelers wanted airlines to get rid of reclining seats as they are one of the most commong causes of mid-flight anger.

The seats will also be made with light-weight materials which will reduce the cost of fuel for Monarch, which flies from six US locations. The new seats will also give passengers more legroom. They also contain a tablet holder to accommodate passengers who have electronics.

"Our new ergonomic seats have been designed with our customers' needs in the forefront of our minds," Tim Williamson, Director of Customer Experience and Marketing said according to the Daily Mail "The new non-reclining design gives our customers far more 'living space' than traditional seats, without the fear of the person in front impinging on their personal space."

According to Williamson, passengers also said that seat storage was important to them so the new seats will have more flexible pockets that can fit items like water bottles, jackets and toys.

According to the airline, the new seats will save a high amount of fuel. For instance on a flight to Egypt, 255kg of fuel

"Monarch will introduce the new seats across our fleet this summer. Our customer research indicated that the reclining feature of standard seats was not popular, and unnecessary, on a short haul flight," Williamson said.

"Monarch's new non-reclining design ensures that all our customers enjoy a comfortable journey without the seat in front encroaching on their space, together with additional leg room," he added. "The integrated tablet holder is also a first in the industry, allowing customers to relax and enjoy the content on their tablets, e-readers or smartphones without having to hold their devices or 'prop' them up against the seat in front."

"Extensive research has been undertaken throughout the development process, examining aspects including the optimum amount of padding and seat angle, and the end result is a carefully-crafted ergonomic design delivering both optimum comfort and practical features that our customers will appreciate," Williamson said.

This announcement from Monarch comes after a Skyscanner survey last year in which 90 percent of travelers said they want reclining seats banned.

Monarch isn't the first airline to get rid of reclining seats. Ryanair hasn't had them since 2003 and EasyJet did away with them in 2007.