Gadget that stops the passenger in front from reclining their seat sees soaring sales
Sales soar for gadget that prevents aircraft seats reclining after mid-flight skirmish in the US
A sneaky device that blocks aircraft seats from reclining has received a global boost after a scuffle between two passengers forced a flight in the US to make an unscheduled landing.
The Knee Defender hit headlines because of an in-flight squabble on United Airlines flight 1462, which had to touch down in Chicago en route to Denver from Newark, New Jersey. One person installed the device that prevented the woman in front of him from reclining, said Charlie Hobart from United.
Upset that her seat was being deliberately locked, the woman eventually threw water at the man, who had refused to remove the device at the request of a flight attendant. The man was using a laptop computer at the time.
"Both passengers were very disruptive and failed to follow flight crew instructions," said Chicago police officer Ron Gaines.
Neither was arrested. Both were in United's Economy Plus section, which offers 13cm more legroom than regular economy.