Exit row in the centre aisle.

[FlyingFox]

Hi, I'm new here. This is just a curiousity question.

I recently flew the first a380 Etihad flight out of Sydney to Abu Dhabi (we landed in Mumbai enroute to let off a heart attack victim, but that's unrelated).

I had called etihad to assign seats and (with family) chose row 69 in the middle. The seat on the far left has no seat in front (no idea why). No problem, no mention of extra fees.

At check in their system wouldn't print boarding passes as it was an "exit row" and I'd not paid for it.

They would've moved just me but had to move us all as we were four together (two young kids).

My question(s) is:
A) exit row? Huh?
B) when would I have paid? Wouldn't the next person allocated the seat not also have paid? Would the seat default to someone with status?

Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi, I'm new here. This is just a curiousity question.

I recently flew the first a380 Etihad flight out of Sydney to Abu Dhabi (we landed in Mumbai enroute to let off a heart attack victim, but that's unrelated).

I had called etihad to assign seats and (with family) chose row 69 in the middle. The seat on the far left has no seat in front (no idea why). No problem, no mention of extra fees.

At check in their system wouldn't print boarding passes as it was an "exit row" and I'd not paid for it.

They would've moved just me but had to move us all as we were four together (two young kids).

My question(s) is:
A) exit row? Huh?
B) when would I have paid? Wouldn't the next person allocated the seat not also have paid? Would the seat default to someone with status?

Thanks!

Immediately in front of row 69D is an emergency escape hatch for the crew bunks which are located downstairs. It's a floor level exit, flush with the floor. That's why 68D is missing, and consequently, 69D has lots of extra leg-room (in fact a whole row's worth of extra leg room).

The other seats 69EFG all have standard economy seat pitch as there is a normal row in front.

If EY charges for extra leg-room seats, 69D would be in that category. This is the same as Qantas charges extra for row 71D (same seat, just differently numbered) on its A380s.

 

[FlyingFox]

EY charges extra for anything they can.

Thanks for the info! Explains how there's an exit in the middle. Still not sure how I could've paid for it. Any idea what Qantas slugs you for it?

 

[FlyingFox]

I see I should probably have asked this question in the Seat Allocation thread. Apologies Admin.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Any idea what Qantas slugs you for it?

Qantas charges $180 (each way) for that seat Australia to the USA.

 

[FlyingFox]

Cool, thanks.

 

[Sprucegoose]

EY charges extra for anything they can.

Thanks for the info! Explains how there's an exit in the middle. Still not sure how I could've paid for it. Any idea what Qantas slugs you for it?

I would always call them as ask the question

 

[FlyingFox]

I did call them. They assigned me the seat over the phone. I didn't, admittedly ask if there was an additional cost. I'll not call them just out of curiosity however.

When I called they also told me one of the return flights was in an Air Seychelles plane. My travel agent says it was news to her but Etithad says everything is disclosed via their travel agent booking system.