This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.

Establish FAA regulations granting an exit row preference for people 6'2" or taller

Created by D.F. on September 07, 2015

Leg room on aircraft is a precious commodity for people who a two or more standard deviations above average US male height (5'10"). Therefore, allowing a preference for tall people to sit in exit rows is not an unreasonable accommodation for people of height. 14.5% of US men are over six feet, and only 3.9% are over 6'2". For a 737-700 configured with 137 seats (Southwest standard configuration) that would mean on average, 5.3 passengers would qualify. Since a 737 has six exit row seats, one would be left over for a member of the general population.

Civil Rights & Equality
Government & Regulatory Reform
Return to top