How do I pray on an airplane when I am unable to bow or prostrate?

The questioner : This is what a person needs to do on an airplane if the journey is long and the time for prayer arrives, and there is no specific place on the plane for prayer. He prays on the seat. Can he stand or not?

The Shaykh : He cannot? How can he not? There is no doubt that he can, and we have no issue with that. Even 'Abd al-Wahhab knows that he can. Yes, he can. Sometimes he can do it without support if the plane is level and steady, with no turbulence. Otherwise, he holds onto the seat in front of him.

The questioner : Okay, can he bow?

The Shaykh : Yes, he can, but he may not be able to bow completely. However, he can bow. He bows as much as he is able. Can he prostrate? No, it appears that he cannot. Based on the airplanes we know, I say on the seat. May Allah guide you. He prays on the seat now. There are no aisles or spaces. He cannot prostrate. He cannot prostrate. What then?
We say: Sit on the seat and then nod in the direction of prostration. Nod in the direction of prostration. All of this is taken from this noble verse: "Fear Allah as much as you are able," and from the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When I command you to do something, O 'Abd Allah, what does that mean?" It means: "When I command you to do something, do as much of it as you are able." Okay, and the rule is: whoever cannot bow, nods while standing, and whoever cannot prostrate, nods while sitting. Okay.