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The emergency exit on an airplane is located above the wings. The seats have more legroom, but you must meet certain requirements to be allowed to sit here.
Airplane emergency exit: Requirements you must meet
Every airplane has emergency exits located above the wings. The seats here are slightly more comfortable because they offer more legroom. However, not every passenger is allowed to sit here.
- The emergency exits on an airplane are located above the wings on both sides of the aircraft. These are doors that passengers must open in an emergency.
- Each airline has its own requirements for passengers who want to sit here. As a rule, it depends on age and physical condition.
- Language skills in the airline’s native language, or at least in English, are also important. Passengers sitting here must be able to communicate with the flight attendants.
- They must also appear confident enough to open the emergency exit door and instruct passengers on how to evacuate.& nbsp;
- Before takeoff, the flight attendants give a brief instruction on how to open the door in an emergency. If they have any doubts about the passenger’s ability to do so, they may ask them to move to another seat.
- There is usually no maximum age, but there is a minimum age. Children are not allowed to sit here, even if accompanied by an adult.
- Every passenger sitting at the emergency exit must be aware of their responsibility in an emergency. In a serious situation, it is a matter of life and death, and it is not uncommon for a passenger to not want to take on this role. In this case, however, they must change seats.
Other special features of the emergency exit
There are not only special requirements for passengers who sit here. There are other special features associated with these seats.
- In most cases, you are not allowed to store luggage under the seat in the rows where the emergency exits are located. In the event of an evacuation, this could cause people to trip.
- As a rule, the seat backs cannot be reclined in these seats.& nbsp;In an emergency, hardly anyone would think to put them back in the upright position, which would prevent passengers from passing through the emergency exit unhindered.
- The latch used to secure the folding table can only be adjusted in the direction of the aisle. This is to prevent it from getting caught, which could unlock the table.& nbsp;
- Despite the many restrictions, these seats are very popular because of the legroom they offer. If you want to reserve a seat here, you usually have to pay more than you would for a reservation for a conventional seat.
Facts that not everyone knows
Frequent flyers will appreciate these little features, but tourists who only fly occasionally will probably not be aware of them.
- A seat by the aisle has the advantage that you don’t have to squeeze past strangers when you want to get up. However, you can create a little more space for yourself by folding up the armrest. There is a button on the underside near the hinge that allows you to do this.
- Take a close look at the window on your next flight. You will discover a small hole. This serves to equalize the pressure difference.
- Incidentally, you don’t have as much privacy in the toilet as you think. There is a bolt on the outside to open the door from the outside. This may be necessary if a passenger collapses in the toilet.
- Some passengers find it difficult to move around in the aircraft. That is why they often grab the headrests to hold on. This is very unpleasant for other passengers. Take a look up at the overhead compartments. Many aircraft have a handrail hidden here, which is ideal for holding on to.
- You have probably noticed that there is an ashtray in the onboard toilet. Although passengers are expected to comply with the smoking ban above the clouds, it is assumed that there are still secret smokers in the toilet. To prevent cigarettes from ending up in the trash can, many airlines still install ashtrays.
- There is a latch on the folding table in front of you to secure it in place. This latch also serves as a hook for hanging up a jacket or headphones, for example.
