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On one of United's B767-300 from EWR to TXL and I seem to remember the seats reclining slightly more several years ago. More specifically, it seemed like the in-seat TV screens we're almost bumping into your face when the passenger in front of you reclined. Now, there seems to be much more space in front (and much less recline for you).
Has United (and other airlines) been reducing the amount of recline for all the economy seating?
On short flights? Yes, and on some it is not possible to recline anymore.
This causes a lot of conflicts and complains, so airlines decided to reduce or to stop reclining seats. Most passengers are happy with this.
It is also cheaper for airlines: simpler seats, and less time to reset the seat after landing (short haul flights have much more flight segments).
But this works only on short haul. On medium and long haul we need to recline in order to have some rest, so airlines have not yet (as far I know) reduced such possibility.
Your flight is long haul, so it seems to me strange they reduced reclinability. But the seats (if you are a a new aircraft) are smaller (less thick), so some more space in front of you (but not for your legs).
