Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific has banned two passengers from its flights after an argument over seat-reclining etiquette descended into xenophobic insults.

Cathay Pacific adds couple to ‘no-fly’ list after seat reclining row - The woman said her seat was shaken and she was called ‘mainland girl’ after refusing to straighten her seat

A man, seated behind the passenger, “frantically pushed” the back of the seat while his wife stretched out her legs and put them on the passenger's armrests

Cathay Pacific has banned a Hong Kong couple from its flights after their row with a mainland Chinese traveller over her reclining seat.

It’s the ultimate tension at the heart of air travel – how far can you recline your seat without irritating the passenger behind?

To recline or not to recline? Seat-reclining etiquette on planes has long been the subject of debate, but an argument over reclining seats between three passengers on Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific escalated into xenophobic insults.