Everything you need to know about emergency exit seats

What are emergency exit seats?

They are rows of seats in an airplane near the emergency exit. The main purpose of these seats is to have one or more passengers assisting crew members in an emergency to operate evacuation.

What responsibilities do you have if you pick an emergency exit seat?

Most people want to book the exit row seat to get extra legroom, but what happens if an actual emergency occurs? The most important responsibility during an emergency is to operate emergency exits along with the flight attendants to make sure that every passenger evacuates from the plane safely. 

Specifically, you must keep other passengers away from the emergency exit door and provide space for the crew members to safely open it. Then, you must also assist crew members with opening the emergency exit door. Once the emergency exit door is open and the escape slide is inflated, you must direct the passengers to help them quickly evacuate the plane through the evacuation slide.

Who can sit in the emergency exit seat during a flight?

Before looking at the regulations, remember that the exact guidelines may slightly differ depending on the airline and country! For your convenience, we based the information below on the UK and EU regulations.

You can sit in the emergency exit seat if… 

• You are 12 years old or older
• You can communicate verbally clearly and directly (This means that people who are deaf or hard of hearing may not be able to sit in those seats).

• You have sufficient mobility and strength to be able to open the emergency exit door.

Who cannot sit in the emergency exit seat during a flight?

Make sure to check the exact regulations of the airline and the country before travelling as these may differ!

In certain situations, you might not be able to book and use an emergency exit seat. For example:

EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)’s regulations

• You have a physical or intellectual disability. 
• You are a passenger travelling as a deportee or prisoner in custody. 
• You are a passenger travelling with children.
• You are an unaccompanied child.

UK CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)’s regulations

• You are a passenger of size who requires a seatbelt extender. 
• You are travelling with a cabin pet, such as an assistance dog. 
• You have a significant sight or hearing impairment.
• You have difficulty moving quickly due to age or sickness.

Can children sit in the emergency exit seat?

No, children under the age of 12 can not sit in the exit row seat, as they need to be physically able to assist during an emergency.

Is the emergency exit seat good? 

Even if you are eligible to sit in an emergency seat according to the regulation, you may be wondering if it’s worth it. What benefit do you get from using the exit row seat and what are the possible drawbacks?

Pros of sitting in the emergency exit

• Extra legroom: You have more space to stretch your legs, which is especially beneficial for long-hour flights.
• No reclining seats in front: Seats in front of the emergency exit row generally don’t recline to avoid obstructing the area near the exit. You can prevent the inconvenience caused by another person reclining seats into your space.
• Priority boarding: Many airlines often offer priority boarding for passengers who booked emergency exit seats.

Cons of sitting in the emergency exit

• Responsibility in emergencies: You need to be able to perform the required tasks by the flight attendants to help evacuate passengers. But don’t worry, these emergencies rarely occur (one in 11 million).
• No under-seat storage: All the hand luggage must be stored in the overhead bins to prevent blocking access to the exit door.
• Colder condition: Emergency exit seats near emergency exits could be colder than other parts of the cabin. This is because the cold air may leak through the emergency exit door.

Are emergency exit seats cheaper or more expensive?

The cost to book the emergency exit seat differs depending on the airline. The cost may also differ depending on whether you are having a short or long-hour flight. 

Seats near the emergency exit tend to be more expensive than regular seats. However, the exact cost may vary depending on the duration of the flight. For instance, exit row seats for long-hour international flights are more expensive than short-hour domestic flights. Below is the table showing the prices of exit row seats across different airlines:

What happens if you sit in an emergency exit seat on a plane but fail to assist during an emergency?

According to EU regulations, the main duty of a passenger in an emergency seat is to provide as much assistance as possible. Therefore, passengers are not legally liable even if they fail to open the emergency exit to assist in evacuation as there is no need for them to commit a guaranteed successful evacuation.

What do I do if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your flight was delayed by at least 3 hours or cancelled within 14 days before the departure date, don’t worry! You may be eligible for compensation under the EU261 regulations. Use our Claim Calculator to check if your flight is eligible and make a claim!

Summary:

• The main responsibility of sitting in the emergency exit seat is to assist the flight attendants in evacuating the passengers in an emergency.
• You may or may not be able to sit in the emergency exit seat depending on the circumstances.
• If you fail to carry out your duty, you may be liable depending on whether you did your best to help the passengers evacuate or not.

We hope you find this information useful, have a safe and amazing trip!

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