you said there was plenty of space on the plane. You could have moved to where there was nobody behind you and reclined it horizontal if you wanted. But no, you wanted to be a cunt and make sure he knew you were being a cunt.
If the plane was full, you’d still be a cunt.
Etiquette would say, you turn around and say, look pal, I’m tired do you mind if I recline, 90% of people would say no bother. If he said no, you just get on with it.