Originally Posted by mvoight
A FAR, LOL..
That would be odd.
It is ok for kids and parents to not site together as long as the parents aren't in the exit row??
Additionally, at least one airline permits minors to travel alone at 12, so I doubt there is a FAR mentioning a child under 15 can not have a parent in an exit row, but can be separated by 30 rows as long as the parent isn't in an exit row.
Well, the applicable FAR is 14CFR121.585:
(b) No certificate holder may seat a person in a seat affected by
this section if the certificate holder determines that it is likely that
the person would be unable to perform one or more of the applicable
functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section because--
(1) The person lacks sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in
both arms and hands, and both legs:
(i) To reach upward, sideways, and downward to the location of
emergency
[[Page 475]]
exit and exit-slide operating mechanisms;
(ii) To grasp and push, pull, turn, or otherwise manipulate those
mechanisms;
(iii) To push, shove, pull, or otherwise open emergency exits;
(iv) To lift out, hold, deposit on nearby seats, or maneuver over
the seatbacks to the next row objects the size and weight of over-wing
window exit doors;
(v) To remove obstructions similar in size and weight to over-wing
exit doors;
(vi) To reach the emergency exit expeditiously;
(vii) To maintain balance while removing obstructions;
(viii) To exit expeditiously;
(ix) To stabilize an escape slide after deployment; or
(x) To assist others in getting off an escape slide;
(2) The person is less than 15 years of age or lacks the capacity to
perform one or more of the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d)
of this section without the assistance of an adult companion, parent, or
other relative;
(3) The person lacks the ability to read and understand instructions
required by this section and related to emergency evacuation provided by
the certificate holder in printed or graphic form or the ability to
understand oral crew commands.
(4) The person lacks sufficient visual capacity to perform one or
more of the applicable functions in paragraph (d) of this section
without the assistance of visual aids beyond contact lenses or
eyeglasses;
(5) The person lacks sufficient aural capacity to hear and
understand instructions shouted by flight attendants, without assistance
beyond a hearing aid;
(6) The person lacks the ability adequately to impart information
orally to other passengers; or,
(7) The person has:
(i) A condition or responsibilities, such as caring for small
children, that might prevent the person from performing one or more of
the applicable functions listed in paragraph (d) of this section;
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...cfr121.585.htm
No, the FAR doesn't specify the age of the young child that would disqualify the passenger from the exit row, but most airlines and FAs interpret it as age 15 (as in, if you have a kid on the airplane that is not exit row qualified).
The OP has recently posted that one kid is 15 - which would qualify that kid to sit in an exit row and also qualifies the 15 year old to "accompany" their younger sibling without necessitating Unaccompanied Minor treatment.
But here's AA's take on it from aa.com:
Exit Seats
Children (or adults with children) under the age of 15 may not be seated in an exit seat.
AA doesn't clearly specify the minimum age at which the "parents with children" would be permitted to sit in exit rows, but if the OP asks AA, the answer's gonna be 15.
I didn't write the rules.
