How to Get an Exit Row Seat on a Plane

Guide Note

Trips on commercial airlines need not be an exercise in claustrophobia. Securing an exit row seat means extra responsibilities in the event of an emergency, but will also grant you precious extra legroom. Follow these steps and start flying in comfort.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Research the Aircraft
• Step 2: Make Sure You Qualify
• Step 3: Ask When You Book
• Step 4: Pay For the Privilege
• Step 5: Check in Online
• Step 6: Ask at the Airport
• Final Notes
• References

Exit Row Tips

1. Ask for an exit row when booking your flight
2. Join a frequent flyer program; members receive priority seating
3. Book flights through a travel agent
4. Check in as early as possible

• by Susan MacDowell

Introduction

• Seats in an exit row are more widely spaced apart than other seats on the plane, because of the need to allow room for passengers to move from the aisle to the exit in an emergency. On most aircraft, the exit row will give you up to 8 inches more legroom, making these seats some of the most desirable on the plane.¹ Getting access to one of the prized seats is possible with a little planning.

Step 1: Research the Aircraft

• 

  (Creative Commons photo by Martin Rottler)
  The first thing you should do is check out the aircraft, to make sure the exit row seat is what you want. SeatGuru has seating charts available for each plane flown by all major airlines.² To look at the seating for the flight you're taking:

1. Open the SeatGuru site.²
2. Choose the airline you're interested in from the menu on the left.
3. Another menu will open, listing the planes that that airline flies. Select the specific plane that you'll be flying on.
   • - If you have your reservation details on hand, this information should be with the reservation confirmation you received from the airline.
   • - If you don't have a reservation, or can't locate your information, you can contact the airline and ask them for the model number.³

Step 2: Make Sure You Qualify

• There are requirements for the occupants of an exit row seat.⁴ You need to be at least 15 years old, and be willing and able to move quickly to open a 40 -50 pound door. The following situations disqualify you from occupying an exit row seat:

1. Physical or mental limitations that limit your ability to perform the exit row responsibilities⁵
2. Traveling with a pet or service animal⁶
3. Not speaking any of the languages used by the crew⁵
4. Having requested additional physical assistance from the airline⁷

Step 3: Ask When You Book

• Each airline has its own policies for releasing exit row seats, and they change frequently.⁸ The first step in attempting to get an exit row seat is to ask when you make your reservation.

1. 

   (Creative Commons photo by Terence Ong)
   Book early.
   • As each plane has a limited number of exit row seats available, you'll have better odds of getting one (assuming the airline is one that will release them in advance) if you book early.
2. Book online and use the seat selector.⁹
   • Sometimes you can get seats online that agents to not have access to.
3. Mention any Special Circumstances
   • A medical condition, such as a propensity to develop Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) that would require you to get extra room, can sometimes persuade an airline to assign an exit row seat to you at the time of booking, even if they ordinarily hold them until check-in.¹⁰
4. Make sure you mention your frequent flyer status.

Frequent Flyers Get Priority

• Although not a last-minute strategy, belonging to a frequent flyer program can help, as some airlines give preference to members who have achieved elite status in their frequent flyer program.¹¹

1. Join a frequent flier program.
2. Demonstrate loyalty by using that airline as your primary carrier.

Step 4: Pay For the Privilege

• Several airlines have instituted a policy of charging for exit row seats, as well as other seats that have more leg room than standard coach.^{12 13} As with the prior suggestions you're better off if you can book early, as the number of exit row seats is still limited.

1. Cost can range from $10 to more than $60, depending on the airline and the flight⁸
2. May be a separate charge for each segment⁸

Step 5: Check in Online

• If an airline doesn't assign exit row seats at the time of booking, they may release their exit row seats 24 hours before departure.¹⁴

1. Use the online advance check in feature the day before you fly, and see if you can select an exit row seat when you do so.
2. If the seats are not available online, call the airline and ask if they can assign you the seat.

Step 6: Ask at the Airport

• If all else has failed, you can make one last try at the airport.

1. Arrive at the airport early.¹⁵
2. Check in with an agent, not at a kiosk.
3. Mention any special circumstances, such as your frequent flier status or medical conditions

• Even if an exit row seat has been assigned, its not guaranteed until an agent at the airline has physically observed the passenger. This means that some seats may be released even if they've been pre-assigned. Occasionally a passenger who's been pre-assigned an exit row seat may be upgraded to business class, or not show for the flight. So, even if you've been told when you check-in that there are no exit row seats available, ask again at the gate.¹⁰

Final Notes

1. If you've been pre-assigned, check to make sure you still have the seat.
2. You might want to use a travel agent--they sometimes have pull with airlines, or have seat management software that can check for you.¹⁶
3. Ask about getting the exit row seat assigned for your connecting flights at the same time. If you're told that that must be done at the connecting airport, ask the agent to call or fax ahead for you.¹⁷

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References

1. ↑ MSNBC: How to Get an Exit-Row Seat (May 2, 2008)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} SeatGuru
3. ↑ AirTimeTable: Airline 800 Numbers
4. ↑ ABC: Plane Exit Row Seat Is a Responsibility (May 17, 2005)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 121.585 Exit Seating
6. ↑ American Airlines: Passenger with Pet
7. ↑ USAToday: Southwest Declares Exit-row Seats Off-limits to Pre-boarders (September 18, 2007)
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} airfarewatchdog.com: Everything You Wanted to Know... (April 25, 2008)
9. ↑ Civil Aviation: Online Booking Tool Let Me Select An Exit Row
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Independent Traveler: Get the Best Airplane Seat
11. ↑ Pseudorandom: How to Get Exit Row Seating (March 14, 2006)
12. ↑ Gadling: What's an Exit Row Seat Worth? (July 17, 2007)
13. ↑ Northwest Airlines: Add Choice & Comfort at Check-in with Coach Choice
14. ↑ Gadling: The Secret to Getting Exit Row Seats (February 11, 2008)
15. ↑ Microsoft: Business Travel Tips - Get the Best Seat On a Plane
16. ↑ The Travel Insider: Getting the Seat You Want
17. ↑ Flyer Talk Forums: Getting Exit Row Seat With Connecting Flight (April 9, 2008)