Comfort seat vs. Exit row?

Question

What is the prevailing wisdom about comfort seats (sometimes called premium economy, economy plus, economy xtra, etc.) compared to exit row?

This summer, we'll do a transAtlantic flight on TAP which is supposed to be Airbus321LR NEO.  Sadly for my aging body, we can't quite afford business class. Should I book a "Comfort" seat OR an exit row seat (row 12)?  [Ignoring the usual no-under-seat-storage hassle and the slightly higher fare for the exit row!]  The Comfort seats are listed with Recline: 7"/Row pitch: 33", compared to Recline: 5"/Row pitch: 31" for the economy seats on the same aircraft.

962fritzf · Accepted Answer

I think you'd have to tell us what matters to you.

For example I've never been remotely bothered about reclining an airline seat. I don't feel comfortable with my head tilting even slightly back. I prefer to sit upright looking straight ahead. What about you?

Similarly I've never had any issue at all with leg room on any aircraft I've ever been on and I'm of average height. I've had more bother with some very tight theatre seats. What about you?

Edited: 2:02 pm, May 18, 2024

btgm · Answer

I've found exit seats to be colder than regular seats, which are already mostly freezing, so I rarely if ever sit in them.

TravellerPlus · Answer

For reference: https://www.aerolopa.com/tp-32q-lr I would choose an Xtra seat at the bulkhead if available rather than the emergency exit row seat.

lostt732 · Answer

for me, these are things why i avoid exit row seats..

they are behind toilets mostly (people will come and go, and stand sometime for toilet queue, if you have sharp sleep type, you will be disturbed number of times), a curtain separates these seats from another batch of seats (you are exposed with your stuff whatever you are doing, eating/reading etc) ! moreover, sometime flight crew seat infront of you ! to add, window may not be fully visible from the seat !

Karen M · Answer

Thank you for your feedback! And for sharing the seatmap!!

To respond: Good point about the bulkhead seats but they appear to already be booked on the days when we could travel. And good point about the coldness around the exit; will need to dress appropriately! My partner has long legs so legroom matters, and since we will try to sleep on this overnight flight, some recline would be helpful if the people behind don't object. I think the row in front of the exit row is the one that does not recline, but I will double check. And it appears that the jump seat is at the row 22 exit and we would book at the row 12 exit.

FCB1 · Answer

"Sadly for my aging body, we can't quite afford business class."

According to faa. gov, "You must be physically capable and willing to perform emergency actions when seated in emergency or exit rows. If you are not, ask for another seat."

greg3344 · Answer

#4 - “they are behind toilets mostly (people will come and go, and stand sometime for toilet queue”

The OP is flying on an A321. Assuming they are referring to the overwing exit rows, they are about as far from the toilets (in each direction) as you can get.

Dubai_Phil_R · Answer

"And it appears that the jump seat is at the row 22 exit and we would book at the row 12 exit."

Not sure how much of a difference row 12 makes. You get a tad more space, but not a lot according to the seat map: https://www.aerolopa.com/tp-32q-lr

The only rows with more space for the legs are row 6 and 22.

Comfort seat vs. Exit row? - Air Travel Forum

Comfort seat vs. Exit row?

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