Tell me about the exit row seats

[hinodis]

Delta changed our flight time and we ended up on another flight. The only seats that were available were in economy comfort on the exit row. I have only had a window seat when flying and I am very worried about these seats. I had to pay an extra $19.00 for them, then read on seat guru that that don't recline Isn't that a selling point for these seats? How are the exit row seats? No window I will assume.

[AllyBri]

Originally Posted by hinodis

Delta changed our flight time and we ended up on another flight. The only seats that were available were in economy comfort on the exit row. I have only had a window seat when flying and I am very worried about these seats. I had to pay an extra $19.00 for them, then read on seat guru that that don't recline Isn't that a selling point for these seats? How are the exit row seats? No window I will assume.

I always liked the exit row, much more room.

[sam_gordon]

Yes, exit row seats do have a window, but they'll look directly over the wing. I didn't know there were "economy comfort" exit row seats. I'm not positive about the recline.

[Jestocost]

Originally Posted by hinodis

Delta changed our flight time and we ended up on another flight. The only seats that were available were in economy comfort on the exit row. I have only had a window seat when flying and I am very worried about these seats. I had to pay an extra $19.00 for them, then read on seat guru that that don't recline Isn't that a selling point for these seats? How are the exit row seats? No window I will assume.

All of this depends on the specific row and type of aircraft. If you've checked Seat Guru for your exact airline, equipment and seat, then you should have accurate information.

On some planes you may not have a window per se in the exit row as there is a gap between the seat and the exit on the side of the plane (check the configuration on some 737s). Also, any seats in front of any exit row will have limited or no recline, so on a plane where there are two exit rows the first of the two may not recline. Exit row seats also typically do not have movable armrests as the tray tables fold up out of the armrest instead of down from the seat back in front of them.

The reason there is a premium price on exit row seats is that they do offer one of the most sought-after features on a plane; extra leg room.

[anonymousegirl]

There are some restrictions to the exit rows--no children under age 16, no one requiring seat beat extenders, and all passengers in that row must demonstrate adequate English language proficiency. Also, every passenger must agree to help in the event of an emergency so often elderly passengers are not seated there under the assumption that they will not have the upper body strength to open the heavy emergency wing door.

[rwdavis2]

Just last year I saw a woman and her son relocated because he was not old enough. This was on United and had probably paid extra to be in the exit row.

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Originally Posted by rwdavis2

Just last year I saw a woman and her son relocated because he was not old enough. This was on United and had probably paid extra to be in the exit row.

This was her fault. When you select exit row seats on UA, you receive a warning listing the rules for occupying these seats, and you have to agree to the terms. Elite FFs don't pay for exit row seats (they can chose these seats at varying times before the flight, depending on FF level).

[rwdavis2]

Originally Posted by lost*in*cyberspace

This was her fault. When you select exit row seats on UA, you receive a warning listing the rules for occupying these seats, and you have to agree to the terms. Elite FFs don't pay for exit row seats (they can chose these seats at varying times before the flight, depending on FF level).

I'm guessing she though she could skate by. The kid almost looked old enough. The flight attendant asked him specifically.

[Sandi]

Originally Posted by anonymousegirl

There are some restrictions to the exit rows--no children under age 16, no one requiring seat beat extenders, and all passengers in that row must demonstrate adequate English language proficiency. Also, every passenger must agree to help in the event of an emergency so often elderly passengers are not seated there under the assumption that they will not have the upper body strength to open the heavy emergency wing door.

I think the FAA requirement is that you be at least 15 years of age. As soon as DD was old enough, we jumped on those seats!

FAA Required Emergency Exit Row Qualifications
When you are seated in an exit row, you may be called upon to open the exit and assist fellow passengers in exiting the aircraft if a crew member is unavailable to do so.

Because of this, and for the benefit of all passengers, Federal Law requires that passengers seated in the exit row MAY NOT fall into any of the following categories

•You lack sufficient mobility, strength or dexterity in both arms and hands, and both legs to:
◦reach upward, sideways, and downward to the location of emergency exit and exit slide operating mechanisms;
◦grasp and push, pull, turn, or otherwise manipulate those mechanisms;
◦push, shove, pull, or otherwise open emergency exits;
◦lift out, hold, deposit on nearby seats, or maneuver over the seatbacks to the next row, objects the size and weight of over-wing exit doors;
◦remove obstructions similar to size and weight of over-wing exit doors, all while maintaining balance;
◦exit expeditiously, stabilize the escape slide after deployment, and assist those getting off the slide.
•You lack the ability to read and understand instructions related to emergency evacuation provided by Alaska Airlines in printed or graphic form or the ability to understand oral crewmember commands.
•You lack sufficient visual capacity to perform one or more of the applicable functions without the assistance of visual aids beyond contact lenses or eyeglasses.
•You lack sufficient aural capacity to hear and understand instructions shouted by flight attendants, without assistance beyond a hearing aid.
•You lack the ability to adequately impart information orally to other passengers.
•You have a nondiscernible condition that might prevent you from performing these functions or a condition that might cause you to suffer bodily harm while performing these functions.
•You do not wish to perform these instructions.
•You are less than 15 years of age or lack the capacity to perform one or more of the applicable functions without the assistance of an adult parent, adult relative, or adult companion.
•You have a responsibility, such as a child under 15 years old, unless a second parent is seated elsewhere with the child.

[bumbershoot]

Originally Posted by hinodis

Delta changed our flight time and we ended up on another flight. The only seats that were available were in economy comfort on the exit row. ... I had to pay an extra $19.00 for them...

Is anyone else out there feeling like the OP probably shouldn't have had to pay for those seats if they were the ONLY ones available? Does anyone know?

[Anal Annie]

Originally Posted by bumbershoot

Is anyone else out there feeling like the OP probably shouldn't have had to pay for those seats if they were the ONLY ones available? Does anyone know?

That was my first thought. If the airline changed their flight and they had to take new seats then the airline should eat that cost as it's not their fault...

[DebbieB]

Originally Posted by bumbershoot

Is anyone else out there feeling like the OP probably shouldn't have had to pay for those seats if they were the ONLY ones available? Does anyone know?

There are other seats held for airport check-in that you don't see. If those are the only seats left at the airport, they will get them for free.

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Originally Posted by DebbieB

There are other seats held for airport check-in that you don't see. If those are the only seats left at the airport, they will get them for free.

+1.

Seat will be assigned at the airport the day of flight if none are available when purchasing or later.

[anonymousegirl]

Originally Posted by bumbershoot

Is anyone else out there feeling like the OP probably shouldn't have had to pay for those seats if they were the ONLY ones available? Does anyone know?

It really depands on the scenario. Were these seats the only seats available at that time? Or the only two seats together? When was she looking? Often seats are under airport control and can only be assigned either 24 in advance or at the airport itself.
Why was the flight cancelled? Weather? Mechanical failure? Heck, I had a airplane commandeered by the US military. You can bet your last dollar the airline did nothing for us except book us on the next flight. No meal vouchers, phone calls (pre-cell phone and internet days). In fact, they assigned seats on the next flight that did not exist. I got row 50 (last row) and there were people with row 51.

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Love the exit row especially if I get the seat that does not have a seat if front of it - gotta love the extra leg room.