Federal Regulations require that all passengers seated in an exit row meet the following requirements:
- Have sufficient mobility, strength, and dexterity in both arms and hands, and both legs to; reach upward, sideways, and downward to the location of the emergency exit and exit slide operating mechanisms; grasp and push, pull, turn, or otherwise manipulate those mechanisms; push, shove, pull, turn, or otherwise open emergency exits; lift out, hold, and deposit out the window, objects the size and weight of the window exit door; remove obstructions similar in size and weight to the exit door; reach the emergency exit expeditiously; maintain balance while removing obstructions: exit expeditiously; stabilize the escape slide after deployment and assist others in getting off the escape slide.
- Is at least 15 years of age and able to perform one or more functions without assistance.
- Have the ability to read and understand instructions that are provided in printed or graphic form and be able to understand oral crew commands in the English language.
- Have sufficient visual capacity to perform these functions without assistance or visual aids beyond contact lenses or eyeglasses.
- Have sufficient aural capacity to hear and understand crewmember instructions without assistance beyond a hearing aid.
- Have the ability to adequately impart information orally to other customers.
- Is not traveling with a child or infant unless a second responsible adult is seated elsewhere with the child or directly responsible for any other passenger on board.
- Not have a condition that might cause a person to suffer bodily harm while performing these functions or have a non-discernible condition that might prevent the person from performing these functions.
- Be willing and able to perform these functions without assistance.
- Is not traveling with a pet, or service animal, and does not require a seat belt extension due to the hazard of entanglement.