Exit Row seating with your kids sitting behind - is this allowed?

[High Horse]

I have preselected two economy exit row seats on an SQ A380 (80E and 80D), and have booked our three kids behind us. They will be 12, 11 and 8 when we travel.
Someone suggested we may not be able to sit there as we are responsible for children, even if they are not in the exit row. We are also in the centre, so not responsible for the exit door hoohaa. Hoping an AFF expert may have the answer!

 

[ashleyn]

I have preselected two economy exit row seats on an SQ A380 (80E and 80D), and have booked our three kids behind us. They will be 12, 11 and 8 when we travel.
Someone suggested we may not be able to sit there as we are responsible for children, even if they are not in the exit row. We are also in the centre, so not responsible for the exit door hoohaa. Hoping an AFF expert may have the answer!

Interesting, are you confident your kids will behave ? I suppose that's the crux of it and only you will know that.

 

[medhead]

Interesting, are you confident your kids will behave ? I suppose that's the crux of it and only you will know that.

Behaviour really has nothing to do with the question asked.

 

[defurax]

I don't see where the problem is. This happens all the time. I often see family being seated in various rows.

 

[medhead]

I don't see where the problem is. This happens all the time. I often see family being seated in various rows.

The question is if the airline will stop them sitting in an exit row if responsible for children sitting in another row. Remember children are not allowed in the exit row.

I don't know the answer.

 

[defurax]

The question is if the airline will stop them sitting in an exit row if responsible for children sitting in another row. Remember children are not allowed in the exit row.

I don't know the answer.

I guess my point is that a few times I've been seated next to a kid and the parent was seated 2-3 rows away. This happened on QF, BD and LA. So I guess there are no rules against it. On the BD flight I think they had 7 kids, so you can't fit that on 2 rows of 3 seats...

 

[medhead]

I guess my point is that a few times I've been seated next to a kid and the parent was seated 2-3 rows away. This happened on QF, BD and LA. So I guess there are no rules against it. On the BD flight I think they had 7 kids, so you can't fit that on 2 rows of 3 seats...

You do understand that exit rows are different? You're talking about any old row, doesn't matter in that case. People in exit rows are supposed to provide assistance in an emergency. Children are banned from exit rows. The question is whether being responsible for a child means the airline deems them unable to assist and hence will not let the adults sit there.

 

[burmans]

You do understand that exit rows are different? You're talking about any old row, doesn't matter in that case. People in exit rows are supposed to provide assistance in an emergency. Children are banned from exit rows. The question is whether being responsible for a child means the airline deems them unable to assist and hence will not let the adults sit there.

This is true and as a parent not 100% sure I'd be wanting to provide assistance to others over my family.

In fact I think I've done this a few years ago but children were older 12/14 so not sure the airlines would prevent it.

 

[defurax]

You do understand that exit rows are different? You're talking about any old row, doesn't matter in that case. People in exit rows are supposed to provide assistance in an emergency. Children are banned from exit rows. The question is whether being responsible for a child means the airline deems them unable to assist and hence will not let the adults sit there.

I see your point. I just thought it's a bit of a stretch. If airlines consider that in case of emergency parents will try and go save their kids (exit row or not) this should preclude family members from being seated in various rows to make sure no stampede is created during evacuation. But I admit I do not know for sure...

 

[medhead]

I see your point. I just thought it's a bit of a stretch. If airlines consider that in case of emergency parents will try and go save their kids (exit row or not) this should preclude family members from being seated in various rows to make sure no stampede is created during evacuation. But I admit I do not know for sure...

Good point about stampeding. I also don't know the answer. Just guessing they may focus on maintaining order around the exit row.

 

[mhen]

See Preferred Seats

for rules for emergency exit preferred seats (bolding is mine):

3. The following categories are some examples of passengers not considered as able bodied:

· Passenger with children/infant


Able-bodied passengers are those passengers who must have sufficient physical dexterity, strength and mobility to enable them to evacuate expeditiously through the emergency exit without any assistance and without impeding others OR who must not have any condition or responsibility such as caring for children/infants that may prevent them from evacuating expeditiously or cause them to impede others.

 

[legroom]

My read is that this refers to very young children (and of course infants).

Otherwise, if taken literally all child under 18 is still considered 'children'.

My guess is if they are old enough to buy a ticket traveling alone then the parents in that case would not be expected to be tethered to them.

Taken the worst case scenario where parents are expected to assist with the doors in an emergency: it is still a far better option to render that assistance than running towards your kids sitting behind you.

By doing so, you help your own kids AND others. The opposite helps no one incl. your little ones.

My 2c

See Preferred Seats

for rules for emergency exit preferred seats (bolding is mine):

3. The following categories are some examples of passengers not considered as able bodied:

· Passenger with children/infant


Able-bodied passengers are those passengers who must have sufficient physical dexterity, strength and mobility to enable them to evacuate expeditiously through the emergency exit without any assistance and without impeding others OR who must not have any condition or responsibility such as caring for children/infants that may prevent them from evacuating expeditiously or cause them to impede others.

 

[medhead]

Probably judge by the type of ticket they have to buy. Eg on some airlines children are 2-11.

 

[BAM1748]

So I take it you are happy to run out the door before your kids if there is an emergency and the exit row is directed to do so?

 

[I hate Alan]

See Preferred Seats

for rules for emergency exit preferred seats (bolding is mine):

3. The following categories are some examples of passengers not considered as able bodied:

· Passenger with children/infant


Able-bodied passengers are those passengers who must have sufficient physical dexterity, strength and mobility to enable them to evacuate expeditiously through the emergency exit without any assistance and without impeding others OR who must not have any condition or responsibility such as caring for children/infants that may prevent them from evacuating expeditiously or cause them to impede others.

Just a note. As above its saying nothing about assisting in the evacuation. The issue of crew coming and seeking your approval to assist in an emergency came about when VA entered Australia and operated flights with less crew. At the time that mandated the requirement to seek approval. QF followed suit as they dropped crew numbers to match VA. I have sat in exit window in J on long haul and never been asked.

my read on the rules above should mandate that you can not have those seats. Keep in mind purchased or not you are still at the discretion of check in staff.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I would never reserve Exit Row seating when travelling with the kids when they are young (too young to sit in exit rows) on the assumption that having them in my booking and being responsible for them precludes me from being there.
YMMV

 

[amaroo]

I would never reserve Exit Row seating when travelling with the kids when they are young (too young to sit in exit rows) on the assumption that having them in my booking and being responsible for them precludes me from being there.
YMMV

Exit row is my preferred selection when travelling as a single/couple. When the kids are in tow - it's a stock standard row for all of us.

 

[serfty]

About 7 years ago I travelled to HKG in a part of 4 being I, SWMBO, mini serfty and niece.

Back then a WP could call up and preselect exit rows at no cost, so had 58,59 x H,J allocated with the adult in row 58 exit seats. There was a hold while it was checked the [-]13[/-] 14 yo niece was old enough to be traveling with responsible adults exit seated.

 

[Gogo65]

We had pre allocated exit rows seats with two kids seating behind us, when we were checking in, we were refused the exit row and moved. This was on qantas, the two kids were 13 at the time.

 

[serfty]

I have checked - my niece was 14.

I believe it realtesto the minimum age at which an aline would permit unaccompanied passengers. With QF it seems to be 12.

In any case it is 12 years, in which case Gogo65's check-in agent was incorrect.

Children Travelling Alone | Qantas

I would suggest that if Qantas are prepared to permite 12yo and older to travel solo without special assistance then the parent/guardian in the exit seat would "not be travelling with someone that needs ... assistance in an emergency;".

In any case Qantas has a rider wich precludes any argument:

Qantas has the sole discretion, at check-in or boarding, to determine whether a passenger meets the requirements to sit in an Exit Row Seat. If the passenger does not meet the requirements, they will be assigned a regular Economy seat.