Originally Posted by
cynicAAl
exit row seats are indicated on the seat map. I suspect that the center block would be designated as "exit row" for cases where 1 side of the aircraft is blocked, so everyone needs to cross and exit from the opposite side, hence the designation as exit row. If 100 people need to cross through your row, it's best to not have it filled with babies.
No, the exit rows do not include the seats in the center block of a widebody plane. For example, rows 30 and 31 on the AA 777s are NOT exit rows despite being marked that way on the seatmaps.
Originally Posted by
ordsky
If it is a twin aisle aircraft then the middle section isn't considered exit row e.g 767, 777. You can look it up on seat guru but it might be considered bulkhead and is sometimes blocked for families with kids.
Correct. Exit rows extend from the exit door to the first aisle.
Originally Posted by
cynicAAl
you are correct that that only people seated next to an exit door (aisle-center-window) are asked by the FA if they understand and agree to their duties. The center block seats would not be reasonably anticipated to have to operate the door, since people at the door would do that. However, the center block is still considered an exit pathway for the reason posted above. This might help...
14 CFR 121.585
§ 121.585 Exit seating.
(a)
(1) Each certificate holder shall determine, to the extent necessary to perform the applicable functions of paragraph (d) of this section, the suitability of each person it permits to occupy an exit seat, in accordance with this section. For the purpose of this section—
(i) Exit seat means—
(A) Each seat having direct access to an exit; and,
(B) Each seat in a row of seats through which passengers would have to pass to gain access to an exit, from the first seat inboard of the exit to the first aisle inboard of the exit.
(bolding mine)
That FAR clearly indicates that the center section seats are not exit row seats.
I implore you to re-read the portion: " . . . from the first seat inboard of the exit to the first aisle inboard of the exit" covers the bock of seats containing the exit door but does not include the center section seats.
Again: The center block of seats on a widebody plane are NOT exit row seats under the FARs. Think about it this way: the absence of additional "exit-row-type" seat pitch in those center blocks is one clue.