Everyone's got 'em -- exit row seats, that is -- but as we’ve learned, each airline’s rules for getting them, FAA restrictions aside, are a lot like you and me. (Completely unique!) Note that the following was accurate at time of publication, but with airlines scrambling for every “ancillary” dollar they can get, new fees will be added and old ones may be increased.
Herewith, Airfarewatchdog.com's comprehensive how-to guide, airline by airline.
AIRTRAN
Advance booking First come, first served – anyone may book any time between the ticket purchase and day of travel.
Charge $20 each way (includes all legs of each journey)
At the airport Sure – if there’s anything left.
Tip Airtran is notorious for its stingy seat pitch in its regular coach seats -- as little as 30" on its 717's. Pay the $20 -- if there's any room left by the time you book, that is.
ALASKA
Advance booking Purchasing a Full Flex ticket? (Those are the really pricey, full fare ones.) Are you an MVP or MVP Gold member? You’re good.
Charge No.
At the airport Any customer can request or select (from a kiosk), based on availability.
AMERICAN
Advance booking AAirpass members, AAadvantage Platinum and Gold members, other top tier oneworld alliance members; those traveling on certain unrestricted fares.
Charge? None
At the airport First come, first served – passengers may assign themselves exit row seats using the self check-in kiosks as well as by request in person from an agent.
CONTINENTAL
Advance booking Passengers may request to be assigned an exit row seat any time between booking and day of travel – provided they call and speak to an agent and make the case as to why they should get the seat (i.e. “I’m tall!)
Charge? None
At the airport First-come, first-served – you may select exit row seating from a seat map on the self check-in kiosks, as well as by making your request in person.
DELTA
Advance booking Open to all, and you don’t even have to ask – passengers can select exit row seats for themselves when booking on delta.com
Charge? None
At the airport First come, first-served. Self check-in kiosks will allow you to select exit row seating.
FRONTIER
Advance booking No
Charge None
At the airport Yes, based on availability, must request from an agent.
Tip As with the other airlines that follow this policy, to the early airport check ins on day of travel go the spoils.
HAWAIIAN
Advance booking No
Charge No
At the airport First come, first served at check-in or the gate – Hawaiian has self check-in available at Honolulu, but the system will not allow you to seat yourself in an exit row.
JETBLUE
Advance booking Anyone willing to pay has access to inventory online or over the phone, and can change their seat at any time before their flight
Charge $10 or $20 each way, depending on the length of flight (this includes six rows of seating at the front of the plane
At the airport First come, first served on remaining seats
Tip Seat map says everything's all booked up? Just get to the airport early on the day of travel and use the self check-in kiosks, where the seat map often looks very different (that is to say, wide open.)
NORTHWEST
Advance booking 24 hours prior to departure, online or using airport kiosk
Charge? $5 to $35 per flight each way (each connecting flight incurs a separate fee)
At the airport First come, first-served at time of departure if there are unused exit row seats, with no charge.
Tip WorldPerks Elite and SkyTeam Elite members can select exit row seats free of charge on nwa.com or through a Northwest self-service check-in kiosk 24 hours prior to departure.
SOUTHWEST
Advance booking No
Charge? Not exactly
At the airport First boarded, first served.
Tip Southwest, as we all know, doesn't assign seats, but if you buy a higher priced "Business Select" fare you get to board the plane in the first portion of the "A" boarding group so your chances of grabbing an exit row are greatly enhanced. Plus you get a free cocktail and other perks.
SPIRIT
Advance booking No
Charge? No
At the airport First come, first served.
Tip On some legs, the former business class cabin (once called Spirit Plus, it is now known as Big Front Seat and offers no upgrades beyond a more spacious seat) can be cheaper than regular coach fares -- a June fare from LaGuardia to Detroit was $5 less in BFS. Go figure!
UNITED
Advance booking Elite Mileage Plus members (Premier, Premier Executive, and 1K) only. However, Because Exit Rows are part of United’s Economy Plus seating – now available for purchase anytime – regular types can buy themselves at least a little more space (from 3” to 5” more than typical) and attempt to grab for the grand prize once at the airport.
Charge? Free to elites, for everyone else, because exit rows are part of Economy Plus, pricing varies. For example, $14 for a short hop from Denver, $61 Denver to Honolulu.
At the airport Oddly, the only chance for someone who has purchased Economy Plus to change their seat to the exit row (of course, Elites are excluded from this) is at the gate, at the agent’s discretion.
Tip Economy Plus is sold until it’s full – you may buy all the way up to the gate.
US AIRWAYS
Advance booking Seats are "exclusively reserved" for Dividend Miles Preferred customers
Charge? None
At the airport Everyone else takes their chances at check-in, or at the gate.
Tip From May 7, the airline will charge between $5-$35 for aisle and window seats up front. Similar to Northwest's scheme, the Choice Seats program will differ only in that passengers may not book until 24 hours before the flight, and only via Web Check-in (these seats will not be sold at the airport.) Confused? Us too.
VIRGIN AMERICA
Advance booking First come, first served at time of booking, can purchase any time.
Charge? $25 (this goes for bulkhead seats as well)
At the airport Same -- based on availability, either at machines or at check-in
Tip Leg room-lovers prefer the bulkhead to the exit row -- there's a little more space in front of you, and the cost is the same.
