Originally Posted by
CAPT Tee
Exit rows have one advantage only - more leg room. But it has many disadvantages others have mentioned. Another one is the armrests in exit row do not go up. So even if the seat next to you is empty, you can't take advantage of it. That's why I seldom select them.
I like them for a few reasons.
1. Extra legroom and I have long legs.
2. You don't have to worry about a chlid for a seatmate since federal law says you have to be at least 15.
3. You don't have to worry about an obese person encroaching into your space since federal law says if you need a seatbelt extender you can't sit there.
4. If you are on a plane with 2 exit rows and get in the exit row with a full recline, you have even more room since the row in front of you has a limited recline or no recline. You also don't have to worry about young kids in front of you since they also can't sit in those seats.
The biggest drawback for me is that I usually carry on so it means being on the plane longer while the rows in front of you exit. On a CRJ DTW/MDW flight I really don't care about being in an exit row but on a mainline Delta flight that is over 2 hours, I try to chose the exit row.