You don't say what airline you're flying or what type of aircraft you're on. A few months ago, I posted the following comments about exit row seating:
I'll answer from the perspective of a frequent American Airlines passenger:
-- Most exit row seats provide enough additional leg and knee room to make them prized coach seats among frequent flyers.
-- On American Airlines, to be assigned to an exit row seat ahead of time, you must be an AAdvantage elite frequent flyer (Gold, Platinum, or Executive Platinum). Most other airlines have similar rules.
-- If you're not an elite frequent flyer, you can still ask for an exit row seat at the airport.
-- Exit row seats are often available on the day of departure, when elite frequent flyers have been upgraded to first class.
-- You must be willing and able to assist in the evacuation of the aircraft. This means you need to read and understand the instructions for removing the exit and placing it across the seats.
-- Passengers with disabilities, passengers needing therapeutic oxygen, and anyone who does not have the strength to handle a 45-50 pound exit door can not be assigned to exit row seats.
-- The seatbacks on most (but not all) exit row seats recline just like those of any other coach seat.
-- Children under the age of 15 may not be seated in an exit seat, and this also applies to adults traveling with someone under 15 (even if the child is seated in a different row).
-- On aircraft where the tray table comes out of the armrest (not off the seat back in front of you) of exit row seats, those seats are slightly narrower than regular coach seats.
-- Check
http://www.seatguru.com/ for the detailed information about seats, organized by airline and aircraft.
