Emergency Exit Seats on Airplanes: What Makes Them Special and What You Need to Know

When booking a flight, many travelers are drawn to the idea of sitting in an emergency exit seat. These seats are often praised for offering more legroom and better accessibility. However, along with their benefits, emergency exit seats come with specific responsibilities. Let’s explore what makes these seats appealing and what you should know if you choose or are assigned one.

An emergency exit seat is located near the emergency exits on an airplane, typically around the wing area or in rows just before the exits. This positioning often provides additional benefits in terms of space and comfort during the flight. However, this location also plays a crucial role in the aircraft’s safety protocols.

Extra Legroom, One of the primary attractions of emergency exit seats is the additional legroom. Since there are no seats in front of these rows, passengers sitting here often enjoy more space to stretch out, which is particularly valued on long-haul flights.

Quick Access, These seats offer quicker access to the aisle and emergency exits, which can be especially convenient if you frequently need to move around or have tight connections to catch.

Better View, If the emergency exit seat is located in the wing area, passengers often get better views from the window, though this can vary depending on the specific seat position.

However, these benefits come with certain responsibilities and requirements:

Ability to Assist, Passengers in emergency exit seats must meet specific criteria, including the ability to assist in an emergency. This means you should be able to open the emergency exit door if required and follow safety instructions.

Age and Health, Many airlines require passengers in these seats to be at least 15 years old and in good physical condition. Passengers who cannot meet these criteria may be asked to select a different seat.

Restrictions on Activities, Passengers in emergency exit seats are often not allowed to use electronic devices, store items under the seat in front of them, or recline their seats. This is to ensure that the area around the emergency exit remains unobstructed in case of an emergency.

Choosing an Emergency Exit Seat, If you’re interested in selecting an emergency exit seat, check the airline’s policies regarding these seats when booking. Many airlines allow passengers to choose these seats during online check-in or at the airport check-in counter.

Reconfirm During Check-In, During check-in, make sure to reconfirm your seat. If there are any changes in policy or if you do not meet the criteria, the check-in staff will assist you in choosing a more suitable seat.

Emergency exit seats on airplanes offer benefits such as extra legroom and quick access, but they also come with specific responsibilities related to safety. If you are comfortable with the requirements and responsibilities associated with these seats, they can be a highly satisfying option. Before choosing or being assigned one, ensure you understand both the benefits and the responsibilities to ensure a comfortable and safe journey.