Airline seating rules for children?

[1tufgt]

I can't remember the exact rules so if someone could correct me or refresh my memory.

Is it that a child can not sit in a exit row or one row in front or behind a exit row? Correct?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You must be age 15 or older to sit in those seats. However, I have seen airlines assign these seats to children a number of times, which makes for a lot of drama when these families have to have their seats reassigned.

 

[1tufgt]

Oops should of added we are flying SouthWest.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It's the same rules, regardless of the airline. Anyway, SWA does not allow children in the exit rows and car seats must be in window seats.

 

[ancestry]

I agree with Wendy - no children in the exit rows and kids in car seats must be in window seats.

 

[1tufgt]

So the row before or after the exit row is ok as long as they are in the window, correct?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Specifically:

• Passengers in the exit row must be at least 15 (or 16, depending on the airline) and meet other requirements.
• Children in car seats also can't be within one row of an exit row.
• Car seats can't block other passengers' ability to exit a row in case of emergency. In a plane with one aisle, yes, this means the car seat must be in the window seat. In a plane with two aisles, no - the car seat could be in any seat in the middle section of seats as well.
• Children NOT in car seats, specifically, travelling without car seats fastened to the plane seat) can be seated in front of or behind an exit row AND are NOT restricted as to which seat in any row they may occupy.

Kaytieeldr "rule" (newly-created): children seated anywhere on a plane may NOT kick the back of the seat in front of them, nor may they bother the passenger in front of or behind them. Even when separated by some seats or rows, parents are responsible for their childrens' behavior.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm not sure why the OP is interested in the row in front of or behind an exit row. If the OP's plan to sit in an exit row and to put their young children in the row in front or in back of them, that's not allowed.

Adults who are responsible for the safety of their children seated anywhere on the aircraft are not allowed to sit in an exit row because they are considered not qualified to perform the duties required of exit row occupants under those circumstances.

Airlines enforce this rule. For airlines that pre-assign seats, if anybody on the same PNR (reservation record) is less than 15 years old or is disabled, then nobody on the PNR can sit in an exit row.

Yes, people try to violate this rule, and sometimes they succeed. A gate agent or flight attendant should catch most violators.

Here are exit row rules for Southwest (which does not preassign seats):

http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-extras/inflight-experience/emergency-exit.html

"A passenger seated in an exit seat must not have a condition or responsibilities, such as caring for small children, that might prevent them from performing the applicable functions."

 

[goofy4tink]

THanks HH for mentioning that. I'm thinking that's pretty valid. The FAs do mention anything that would make it impossible for you to do what needs to be done in an emergency..and that would be taking care of a child in another row.

 

[dudspizza]

I can't remember the exact rules so if someone could correct me or refresh my memory.

Is it that a child can not sit in a exit row or one row in front or behind a exit row? Correct?

Here is the thread you started a month ago about this topic... the answers are within the first 5-6 responses...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2525815

 

[1tufgt]

Here is the thread you started a month ago about this topic... the answers are within the first 5-6 responses...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2525815

LOL, I totally forgot I posted that thread. Been busy at work it's it got my mind all out of wack. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[bumbershoot]

Kaytieeldr "rule" (newly-created): children seated anywhere on a plane may NOT kick the back of the seat in front of them, nor may they bother the passenger in front of or behind them. Even when separated by some seats or rows, parents are responsible for their childrens' behavior.

And my rule...adults may not bang the back of the seat repeatedly either.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

And my rule...adults may not bang the back of the seat repeatedly either.

Or pull on the top of my seat every time they get up.

 

[DebbieB]

Southwest is pretty strict with the exit row. A flight attendent stands in the row as people are boarding and asks anyone who wants to sit there if they are aware it is an emergency row. They will pickup on the fact that your children are in the next row.