put on his headphones, and slept most of the flight. Later, a flight attendant handed him a note. The woman explained her situation—flying to see her dying mother one last time, unable to afford a more spacious seat—and shared how the experience caused her pain and distress. Now,

Mark is conflicted. His wife says he was in the wrong; his brother insists he had every right to recline. So, what do you think? Is using the seat’s recline feature fair game, or does etiquette—and empathy—require more thought at 30,000 feet?