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Original poster

Emergency exit seats worth it?

19 replies

taytotayto111 · 17/02/2023 21:06

I'm a large person and I'm travelling with aerlingus to jfk soon. I can pay £99 to upgrade to the emergency exit seat but would it be worth it? I'm 5ft 7 and it's width I need really.
Any opinions.

OP posts:

KangarooKenny · 17/02/2023 21:43

Not if it’s next to the loos. People tend to stand there while waiting.

BillyMack · 17/02/2023 21:44

They tend to be narrower seats

MoneyInTheBananaStand · 17/02/2023 21:45

They're not any wider than normal seats, just loads of leg room. You won't be able to keep a bag under your seat either.

I always buy them if on hol with 6'3 DH but on my own I wouldn't bother.

AdventFridgeOfShame · 17/02/2023 21:46

If they don't think you will be capable of opening the door i an emergency, they will replace you with someone fitter.

hartof · 17/02/2023 22:05

Large as in tall or plus size? Emergency exit row seats have the tray tables built into the seat so they are narrower.

Honeyroar · 17/02/2023 22:09

They’re the same width, but give you more space in front, sometimes leg room too if you’re actually by the door rather than the cross aisle seats. The door areas can be drafty too.

Jarrow · 17/02/2023 22:28

Honestly, no I don’t think they are worth it. A flight I took recently wanted £150 each way. So that would have been £600 for my partner and I. The flights only cost £800.

On the way home they hadn’t sold the seat and needed someone to sit there who was capable of operating the emergency doors. So I did.

It was cold, draughty, and right next to the loos. So people who congregate there. It also smelt.
The idea of spending £150 to sit in the smell of piss and shit does not appeal to me.

Original poster

taytotayto111 · 18/02/2023 06:03

Just for the record I didn't say I wasn't fit I'm actually very fit and run at least 30 miles a week but thanks anyway

OP posts:

So1invictus · 18/02/2023 06:04

Agree with pp.
They're only worth it if you're long.
Plus usually you can't put your bag anywhere, has to go in overhead locker even in the over wing seats.

Original poster

taytotayto111 · 18/02/2023 06:05

AdventFridgeOfShame Just for the record I didn't say I wasn't fit I'm actually very fit and run at least 30 miles a week but thanks anyway

OP posts:

Original poster

taytotayto111 · 18/02/2023 06:07

Thank you to everyone (well almost everyone)who replied I appreciate your advice and not assuming I'm a lazy slob who's not fit. 🙄

OP posts:

MrsBunnyEars · 18/02/2023 06:07

Why so defensive? You asked for info and people are telling you things that might be relevant.

amylou8 · 18/02/2023 06:33

How big are you? I'm an 18/20 and fit comfortably into budget airline seats without encroaching into anyone else's space. I don't feel the need to buy extra space or a second seat, but I would if I was bigger. I'm guessing if you run all those miles each week you're probably smaller (and fitter!) than me, so you'll be fine with a standard seat.

Ladyofthesea · 18/02/2023 06:37

taytotayto111 · 18/02/2023 06:03

Just for the record I didn't say I wasn't fit I'm actually very fit and run at least 30 miles a week but thanks anyway

They're not going to test you . If you don't look fit then they might replace you. In case if an emergency the people in the emergency seats need to open the emergency door and they need to be satisfied that you can do that.

We always look up the seats widths per airline or flight before booking a flight. Some standardly have wider seats (Singapore airlines snd Emirates for instance) but with some it depends on the type of plane which seats they put in them.

softsweets · 18/02/2023 06:37

If you need a seatbelt extender you will be asked to move out of the emergency seats - that would be awkward!!

StreamingCervix · 18/02/2023 06:38

I think adventfridge was just giving helpful advice. It is true that people get moved from those seats on the day of travel, due to the cabin crews decisions. They won’t ask you how many miles you’ve run this week or enter into a negotiation, they’ll just come to their own opinion if you’re a suitable person to assist them in an emergency.

AccidentallyRunToWindsor · 18/02/2023 06:39

I would say 5'7" isn't so tall that I would pay more for emergency exit seats. I don't like the fact you have to have your bag in the overhead lockers, the silly tray tables and I found it really cold.

Save the money for a treat at the airport!

MeanderingGently · 18/02/2023 06:42

They're worth if you feel claustrophobic in economy class with the amount of people jammed around you, like I do. The seats aren't wider but they are much further away from the ones in front, there's more leg room and I personally feel safer....if there was a crash I'd certainly be up first and get that door open to get out!!

Disadvantages are that you can't have your bag under your seat, it must be in the locker, and usually you can't tilt your seat back to sleep. Neither of which bother me, but may bother you. They always come and ask if you'd be fine with opening the door in an emergency but no, they don't assess you for "fitness" in my experience.

28January · 18/02/2023 06:48

Check which plane it is and choose accordingly. We fly Sydney to Bali regularly and they are still flying the smaller planes (3-3 configuration with 12 business class seats that are not “proper” business) so I don’t bother on the journey out, DH and I just choose aisle seats across from each other, but back is an overnight flight and the extra legroom is definitely worth it. Flying long haul (12 hours plus) I will always pay the extra money but I don’t want the seats near the toilets at the back or baby bassinets so I know I need to book early. I am taller than you so on smaller planes when people recline in front I am hugging my knees.

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