Is There A Maximum Age to Sit in the Exit Row?

by SharonKurheg

For those who sit in economy, sitting in the exit row is often the #1 choice. The width of the seats are typically the same as any other. But since that row is adjacent to the emergency exit, there’s significantly more leg room, to accommodate the possibility of people having to exit the plane there.

a person's feet in a planeThis is Joe’s favorite seat on Southwest Airlines

Airlines are well aware of passengers’ love of the exit row seats and make sure to charge more for them, above and beyond what they charge just for the privilege of choosing your seat early. Case in point, this pic is a couple of years old but note that it was $29 to $32 for a “regular” economy seat, and $100 for an exit row. WTG, American Airlines, circa mid-2021!

a screenshot of a game

Of course, being in the exit row is more than just legroom; it’s also agreeing that you will help in the event of an airplane emergency, when people need to exit the plane at your row.

Several relatively unknown reasons exist why people may be ineligible to sit in the exit row. However, most people are aware of the typical rules for sitting in the exit row. They’re spelled out by the FAA and include the ability to:

  • Comprehend and speak English;
  • Locate the emergency exit;
  • Recognize the emergency exit opening mechanism;
  • Comprehend the instructions for operating the emergency exit;
  • Operate the emergency exit;
  • Assess whether opening the emergency exit will increase the hazards to which
    passengers may be exposed;
  • Follow oral directions and hand signals given by a crewmember;
  • Stow or secure the emergency exit door so that it will not impede use of the exit;
  • Assess the condition of an escape slide, activate the slide, and stabilize the slide after
    deployment to assist others in getting off the slide;
  • Pass expeditiously through the emergency exit; and
  • Assess, select, and follow a safe path away from the emergency exit.

Passengers in the exit row must also be at least 15 years old. However many people have asked if there’s a maximum age.

No, there’s not. It’s just a minimum age.

If you’re sitting in an exit row, the rule is that you must have sufficient mobility, strength and dexterity in both arms, hands and legs to assist in an evacuation. The government, as well as the airlines, believe that those who don’t think they will physically be able to handle the job will bow out of sitting in those seats.

Will they? Well, I’ve seen plenty of senior citizens sitting in exit rows. Maybe they’d be able to physically do the job in the event of an emergency. I hope they can.

Personally, I’m not a senior citizen…but at 4’6″, I certainly am little. There was a time when I was physically fit enough to handle what was required to sit in the exit row. When I didn’t think I could do it anymore, I did the responsible thing and stopped sitting there (Joe still does; he’s 6′ tall, prefers the leg room, and could do what was required in the event of an emergency. When he snags an exit row, we try to have me sit behind him).

But nope, neither the FAA nor the airlines have maximum age limits for sitting in an exit seat.

Feature photo (cropped): Andy Luten (used with permission)

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8 comments

Tennen December 4, 2023 - 5:08 pm

Is it an FAA requirement or an individual airline’s rule that an exit row pax can’t be traveling with someone who needs assistance? I think I’ve seen passengers with young kids (or lap infants), disabled people, and/or elderly folks booted from the exit row, even if the latter were seated elsewhere in the cabin. IIRC, it was because they wouldn’t help evacuate but would try to get to their family in an emergency.

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James Hathaway December 4, 2023 - 5:52 pm

Denying older people the right to sit in an exit row is almost surely illegal discrimination. The assumption that age is determinative of ability to perform the functions is patently false.

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Rich December 4, 2023 - 6:39 pm

I’m 71 but lift weights—I can lift more than most of my younger friends and family members. I don’t think it’s at all inappropriate for me to sit in an exit row. I was very disappointed when China Eastern wouldn’t put me in the exit row because I was over 65.

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David Miller December 5, 2023 - 3:05 pm

James – common sense says that one must be able to perform the actions necessary to open the exit door – that being said, if one can not then they are not allowed to sit there, no matter their age.
(Reply edited by YMMV to comply with rules of commenting on blog. “Be kind and respectful. We understand that people might have different opinions and that’s usually a good thing. Being able to discuss these topics like adults can broaden the horizons of all our readers. But if you’re not polite about it, your post won’t be approved. If you write a comment that makes good points but some parts of your response are unkind or disrespectful, we reserve the right to approve the post but to remove the offending sentence(s).”)

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GMan1958 December 5, 2023 - 8:44 pm

Fine with me as long as they don’t allow people under 6’4″ to sit in the bulkhead….

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SharonKurheg December 5, 2023 - 8:47 pm

Apples and oranges. But you already knew that. 😉

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DC not in DC December 6, 2023 - 7:08 pm

Non-English speakers have been allowed to remain in exit rows on several US carrier flights I have taken, in violation of FAA § 121.585 Exit seating. (e) (2) “…the ability to understand the specified language in which crew commands will be given in an emergency.” and, more importantly, (b) (6) “The person lacks the ability adequately to impart information orally to other passengers;”

A non-English speaker in an exit row would neither understand crew commands nor be able to assist other passengers. I have challenged flight attendants on this but they tell me they have to accept responses in any language.

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SharonKurheg December 6, 2023 - 11:36 pm

I’ve seen non-English speakers in the exit row too. I’ve also seen FAs have them be removed from the exit row when they couldn’t give a verbal “yes” to the questions.

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