Do exit rows have tray tables?

In the emergency exit row, the opening of the tray table is only possible in one direction, compared to all other seat rows. Like this in the unlikely event of an emergency, an unintended opening of the tray table (due to people rushing by) is avoided.



Exit row seats do have tray tables, but their design and location often differ from standard seats depending on the aircraft's configuration. In 2026, many exit row seats are located behind a bulkhead or have no seat directly in front of them to provide the required "egress" space for emergencies. In these cases, the tray table is usually stored in the armrest of the seat. This "in-arm" design makes the armrest immovable and can make the seat feel slightly narrower than a standard economy seat. For exit rows that do have a seat in front of them (over-wing exits), the tray table is typically mounted on the back of the preceding seat as usual. A key drawback for passengers in 2026 is that in-arm tray tables must be stowed for takeoff and landing, and they sometimes lack the "tilt" or "slide" flexibility of seat-back versions, making it more difficult to use large laptops or adjust for comfort during meal service.

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For people who value legroom and extra privacy, it may be worth it to pay an extra cost to reserve a seat in the exit row. With that said, passengers sitting in these seats need to keep in mind that they may be called upon in the event of an emergency and what they may need to do in this event.

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Within the US there is no regulation by the FAA that requires carriers to insure occupancy of exit rows on flights.

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A 2015 study by TravelMath, a search engine that answers data-related questions about travel, tested samples from hard surfaces in planes and found that tray-table surfaces had more than eight times the amount of bacteria per square inch than even the lavatory flush buttons.

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There are only a few exit row seats and in many cases they are the only seats with extra legroom, so the airlines charge for them because they tend to be popular. They may be offered for free to their higher status frequent fliers as a perk, and then sold to non-status passengers for money.

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Emergency exit row seating mobility requirements. In addition, to comply with federal regulations a passenger seated in an exit seat must have sufficient mobility, strength, or flexibility in both arms, hands, and both legs to: Reach upward, sideways, and downward to the location of the emergency exit.

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Book your travel early to ensure a spot for your dog. When choosing your seat, be aware that you will not be able to sit in an exit row or against a bulkhead (there must be a seat in front of you for the carrier).

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Exit row seats can provide you with much-needed relief thanks to the (usually) much more generous legroom, particularly on long-range aircraft. Smaller turboprops and regional jets tend to have a bit more room.

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The positives of exit rows This is great if you are above average height or like to stretch your legs. Also, for longer or overnight flights, sleeping can be more comfortable with the extra wiggle room (but on the flip side, keep in mind that the armrests may not move and the seat may not recline).

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“If you're landing when people are awake in the middle of the day, that's what you want to do, too. Sleep as much as you can on the plane,” she says. “If you're going to be landing at night, do your best to stay awake on the plane and sleep at your destination.”

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