row 1 and emergency exit
Nov 10, 2025 | 4:33 am
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 18,310
row 1 and emergency exit
For some time, seats 1A-!C had no bulkhead ahead of them, and all three seats were designated as unfit for passengers unable or unwilling to operate emergency exits. Across the aisle, only seat !D (directly on the aisle) was covered by the exemption.
Now that most (if not all) of the A320 fleet has been fitted with a bulkhead in front of seats 1A-1C it seems the restrictions on those unable/unwilling to operate emergency exits should mirror those seats 1D-!F across the aisle - so that 1A and 1B should be free from restrictions.
However on seat selection maps 1A, !B, 1C and 1D all show restrictions - only !E and 1F are fully open.
While the A319 fleet remains unchanged, with 1A-1C not blocked by a bulkhead, I guess it makes sense to cater for possible equipment switches between fleets, andmaintain the restriction on the seat maps.
Currently with my arm in a sling, I'm wondering if I'll be booted out of my long-held 1A seat on a flight operated by an A320. I'm sure a call centre response would be negative, though cabin crew might exercise a more pragmatic regime.
Now that most (if not all) of the A320 fleet has been fitted with a bulkhead in front of seats 1A-1C it seems the restrictions on those unable/unwilling to operate emergency exits should mirror those seats 1D-!F across the aisle - so that 1A and 1B should be free from restrictions.
However on seat selection maps 1A, !B, 1C and 1D all show restrictions - only !E and 1F are fully open.
While the A319 fleet remains unchanged, with 1A-1C not blocked by a bulkhead, I guess it makes sense to cater for possible equipment switches between fleets, andmaintain the restriction on the seat maps.
Currently with my arm in a sling, I'm wondering if I'll be booted out of my long-held 1A seat on a flight operated by an A320. I'm sure a call centre response would be negative, though cabin crew might exercise a more pragmatic regime.
Nov 10, 2025 | 6:14 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: bmi DC, BAEC
Posts: 1,972
For some time, seats 1A-!C had no bulkhead ahead of them, and all three seats were designated as unfit for passengers unable or unwilling to operate emergency exits. Across the aisle, only seat !D (directly on the aisle) was covered by the exemption.
Now that most (if not all) of the A320 fleet has been fitted with a bulkhead in front of seats 1A-1C it seems the restrictions on those unable/unwilling to operate emergency exits should mirror those seats 1D-!F across the aisle - so that 1A and 1B should be free from restrictions.
However on seat selection maps 1A, !B, 1C and 1D all show restrictions - only !E and 1F are fully open.
While the A319 fleet remains unchanged, with 1A-1C not blocked by a bulkhead, I guess it makes sense to cater for possible equipment switches between fleets, andmaintain the restriction on the seat maps.
Currently with my arm in a sling, I'm wondering if I'll be booted out of my long-held 1A seat on a flight operated by an A320. I'm sure a call centre response would be negative, though cabin crew might exercise a more pragmatic regime.
Now that most (if not all) of the A320 fleet has been fitted with a bulkhead in front of seats 1A-1C it seems the restrictions on those unable/unwilling to operate emergency exits should mirror those seats 1D-!F across the aisle - so that 1A and 1B should be free from restrictions.
However on seat selection maps 1A, !B, 1C and 1D all show restrictions - only !E and 1F are fully open.
While the A319 fleet remains unchanged, with 1A-1C not blocked by a bulkhead, I guess it makes sense to cater for possible equipment switches between fleets, andmaintain the restriction on the seat maps.
Currently with my arm in a sling, I'm wondering if I'll be booted out of my long-held 1A seat on a flight operated by an A320. I'm sure a call centre response would be negative, though cabin crew might exercise a more pragmatic regime.
a few years ago I saw Easyjet cabin crew asking a passenger in the emergency row to put on their shoes for landing ... but the passenger got stroppy ... and the cabin crew just gave up !!
ymmv
Nov 12, 2025 | 5:49 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London UK
Posts: 28
For some time, seats 1A-!C had no bulkhead ahead of them, and all three seats were designated as unfit for passengers unable or unwilling to operate emergency exits. Across the aisle, only seat !D (directly on the aisle) was covered by the exemption.
Now that most (if not all) of the A320 fleet has been fitted with a bulkhead in front of seats 1A-1C it seems the restrictions on those unable/unwilling to operate emergency exits should mirror those seats 1D-!F across the aisle - so that 1A and 1B should be free from restrictions.
However on seat selection maps 1A, !B, 1C and 1D all show restrictions - only !E and 1F are fully open.
While the A319 fleet remains unchanged, with 1A-1C not blocked by a bulkhead, I guess it makes sense to cater for possible equipment switches between fleets, andmaintain the restriction on the seat maps.
Currently with my arm in a sling, I'm wondering if I'll be booted out of my long-held 1A seat on a flight operated by an A320. I'm sure a call centre response would be negative, though cabin crew might exercise a more pragmatic regime.
Now that most (if not all) of the A320 fleet has been fitted with a bulkhead in front of seats 1A-1C it seems the restrictions on those unable/unwilling to operate emergency exits should mirror those seats 1D-!F across the aisle - so that 1A and 1B should be free from restrictions.
However on seat selection maps 1A, !B, 1C and 1D all show restrictions - only !E and 1F are fully open.
While the A319 fleet remains unchanged, with 1A-1C not blocked by a bulkhead, I guess it makes sense to cater for possible equipment switches between fleets, andmaintain the restriction on the seat maps.
Currently with my arm in a sling, I'm wondering if I'll be booted out of my long-held 1A seat on a flight operated by an A320. I'm sure a call centre response would be negative, though cabin crew might exercise a more pragmatic regime.
Exactly this.
I think only the couple of ex Viva A320s are minus the forward bulkhead division forward of 1ABC, the majority of the A320s therefore would have seating restrictions on 1AB lifted.
Nov 13, 2025 | 5:17 am
#4
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 18,310
Forward rows on the A321 - no 1DEF
easyJet has a cabin configuration without a row 1 for DEF: I think it's an A321.
2DEF has a bulkhead in front, probably allowing more catering equipment in the galley. This row is sold as "upfront" rather than as the more expensive "extra legroom" that applies to 1ABC. Question is if 2DEF enjoys the same (very limited) extra legroom as 1ABC in this odd configuration.
I recognise this is a sightly geeky, specialist subject !
Nov 16, 2025 | 11:16 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 160
OK - a sort of corollary question....
easyJet has a cabin configuration without a row 1 for DEF: I think it's an A321.
2DEF has a bulkhead in front, probably allowing more catering equipment in the galley. This row is sold as "upfront" rather than as the more expensive "extra legroom" that applies to 1ABC. Question is if 2DEF enjoys the same (very limited) extra legroom as 1ABC in this odd configuration.
I recognise this is a sightly geeky, specialist subject !
easyJet has a cabin configuration without a row 1 for DEF: I think it's an A321.
2DEF has a bulkhead in front, probably allowing more catering equipment in the galley. This row is sold as "upfront" rather than as the more expensive "extra legroom" that applies to 1ABC. Question is if 2DEF enjoys the same (very limited) extra legroom as 1ABC in this odd configuration.
I recognise this is a sightly geeky, specialist subject !
We rarely pay for BA Club Europe these days as find front row on EZY (with middle seat blocked) a far better experience. Overhead lockers for front row on EZY also strictly reserved for front row passengers (and very well policed by crew!).