Passengers sitting next to emergency exits paying an extra fee

[Laurinelikestofly]

In some british based aviation companies like Ryan air, the seats next to the emergency exits cost more because the space is larger (more leg room) and those seats are thus popular.

The problem with the low cost airline is that often, passengers are not willing to pay those extra 10 pounds, and the row stays empty.

Passengers sitting next to emergency exits are expected to be able to open those exits if there is a problem, they are actually supposed to be taught how to do that (and the task isn't so easy), and it requires some strength.
The person is supposed to be willing to do that, and has to really understand what is expected from him/her, because it's a vital role in case of an emergency (whether a crash or an emergency landing).
If the seats are not taken, other passengers around are supposed to be willing to accept being responsible for the task. But when you are not sitting next to said exits, how can you understand how to properly open them? That's what the passengers seem to be thinking.

That's why both The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) (they have started an investigation) and the Civil Aviation Authority and the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) are concerned about this issue.

Do you believe that making the passengers pay extra for those seats is a good idea, considering they have extra responsibility as well?

[andrrewdamien]

(03-22-2012 10:23 AM)Laurinelikestofly Wrote:  In some british based aviation companies like Ryan air, the seats next to the emergency exits cost more because the space is larger (more leg room) and those seats are thus popular.

The problem with the low cost airline is that often, passengers are not willing to pay those extra 10 pounds, and the row stays empty.

Passengers sitting next to emergency exits are expected to be able to open those exits if there is a problem, they are actually supposed to be taught how to do that (and the task isn't so easy), and it requires some strength.
The person is supposed to be willing to do that, and has to really understand what is expected from him/her, because it's a vital role in case of an emergency (whether a crash or an emergency landing).
If the seats are not taken, other passengers around are supposed to be willing to accept being responsible for the task. But when you are not sitting next to said exits, how can you understand how to properly open them? That's what the passengers seem to be thinking.

That's why both The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) (they have started an investigation) and the Civil Aviation Authority and the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) are concerned about this issue.

Do you believe that making the passengers pay extra for those seats is a good idea, considering they have extra responsibility as well?

Welcomed by the passengers, because they provide more legroom seat. But the emergency exit row has left hundreds of Ryanair flights vacant passengers refused to pay the additional costs. Around the passenger seat still is expected to be able to follow to do what, in the direction in case of emergency.