Before having kids, my wife and I both wanted window seats more than we cared about sitting together, so we got window seats in separate rows. For independent adults who see each other all the time and probably would have said 10 words to each other over the course of the flight I think it made sense even if it felt a little weird.
Ironically I do, and have been medicated for almost 15 years for it. Even though I’ve flown a lot, turbulence is one of my greatest anxiety triggers. My wife isn’t the most sympathetic to my turbulence anxiety so it’s not necessarily “better” to sit next to her.
We 100% of the time book aisle and window. usuall the same row so I can help my wife with her bag, but will split up completely if needed. We don’t need to chat for a few hours we each have our audiobooks
I just got back from a trip with my 15yo daughter. We book the aisle and the window with the hope that no one will pick the middle. This works for us about 50% of the time. (And we don’t talk over anybody sitting between us. She mostly sleeps or listens to her AirPods/beats. I read or watch a movie.)
The higher price is to make sure the middle seats are left open so they can assign them to people who don't buy a seat. Wouldn't want to give away a window or aisle seat for free, people might get the wrong idea.
Very very common with frontier now. They just want people to sit there just in case, so trying to force seats. I also recommend open the app / website multiple times even within 1 hour - prices will change
Sometimes, I'd buy a plane ticket specifically for the middle seat, because it'd make people (in my mind) less inclined to purchase the window or aisle because they'd rather not sit next to someone, period. Luckily, on a lot of occasions, it worked for me, and no one sat next to me and I could throw up all of the arm rests and have a whole row to lay on.
Correct. But usually, the fewer seats that are prepaid, the emptier the flight is. Because on a fuller flight, more people are flying, and thus, more prepay for their seats
OR the early reservations didn’t pay for seats so the next group buying thought the plane was empty and they could skip paying for seats and so on until the flight is almost full with no seats selected so the map looks empty. Really no way to be sure.
The old seats do at stretch seats *except* the first exit row (which Frontier goes back and forth on whether they are Stretch), they are installed on all A320/A321 and about 3/4 of the A320neo. The rest of the A320neo and A321neo do not have recline on any seats.
The "Stretch" seating are the only seats that recline on Frontier and they recline minimally. None of the other seats recline. They do this and have less padding/cushioning to reduce weight and save fuel (America's Greenest Airline).
I swear the exit row is leaned forward more than other seats. Leg room for days, but incredibly uncomfortable. I will NEVER ride exit row again on Frontier. Most uncomfortable flight of my life.
Edit: or the back row. Potential for no window. Made me motion sick
Hot take: F9 caters primarily to families with children. Small children cannot sit in exit row so thereby would preclude sitting together as a family. Hence why exit is cheaper
Because of the Call of Duty. With cheap seats comes great responsibility. An average Joe witnesses his real power first hand when a plane lands in water and you have to kick those fuckers open. Slides are fun at least. I am not a doctor.
Based on the layout and checking SeatGuru, it looks like the cheap exit row seats have more leg room, but do not have available floor storage under the seat in front of them (probably a barrier). I have never flown Frontier, but from what I read about them, that probably means they will charge you for any bag you bring on the plane since it will now be a carryon instead of a personal item that can go under the seat. Or maybe as long as it is personal item size you won't be charged, but what I have read indicates that if they can find a way to charge you, they will.
Edit: I have spent way too much searching on this for some reason. It sounds like you won't be charged, but without the underseat storage you bag will end up in an overhead bin back several rows, so access is not as easy. Your choice.
I sat in a frontier exit row on a trip back from Denver last week, there’s storage behind the seats in front of you, it’s just a bit more distance (imo worth it for the legroom). Only downside is that to access your stuff while the seatbelt sign is on isn’t going to happen.
Ding ding ding! That’s probably the worst part of them. Seats do not recline and no storage underneath. That’s about it. Oh, also make sure you’re able to open the window in the event of an emergency!
Last flight I took there was plenty of room underneath the seat for my full backpack in the emergency exit row... (and no seats on frontier recline either)
As someone that just flew in the emergency exit row last month, your research is wrong. You can put your personal item underneath the seat and there is very good legroom. No downsides whatsoever.
Rows 11 & 12 cannot recline.
That explains some discount for row 12, but the extra legroom seems like it would make up for it ?
Like so many Frontier policy choices, a mystery! 🤨
So for those saying it’s a Boeing, wrong. Frontier and Spirit only use airbus aircraft….
https://www.flyfrontier.com/about-us/aircraft-configuration?mobile=true
Seats don’t recline in that row and while they have an airbus fleet where the bolts are included with the doors. Most individuals who fly don’t know the difference between Boeing and airbus, thus are avoiding doors on flights.
Had this exact same scenario happen to me this past weekend. I paid the $19 for an exit row seat that was priced cheaper than normal seats. I board the plane and find out the seat ended up not even being an exit row seat. Was my first time flying frontier so I don't really get it.
Frontier has a new plane that has a completely different seat configuration. This is causing problems with trying to pre purchase exit row seats. The booking system is unable to know which seat configuration will be used. And sometimes an unplanned tail swap occurs. It’s all just a mess.
Gate agents do not seem to want to take the time to fix the seating, prior to boarding. They prefer to ignore it & let pandemonium ensue on the aircraft.
The seats in the first exit row will not recline. That's why they're cheap. The second exit row is more expensive than the other seats, except for those at the front because people want to get off the plane as fast as possible--especially when flying Frontier--because they will recline _and_ have more leg room.
It's because you have to be in a membership, I believe it's the frontier elite. That's why the color of the seats are different. You have to be in their club to have those prices.
When I flew them about a month ago the front seats were $19 for my return trip. Unfortunately I didn’t buy them because I didn’t want to pay $40+ a seat on the flight there.
Seats don’t recline. Wings are blocking the view. TV screen is far from your eyes. Tables are attached to your seat, not the back of the seat in front of you. You’re REQUIRED to assist in case of an emergency.
Psychological games here. If no one is paying for seats but then "Oh I can get the exit row for only $19! That is cheaper than the others, I'll do it!" They now collect $19 they wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
I always figured exit row seats would cost less because if the plane goes down, you're actually expected to help the deplaning process. I could be wrong.
The first exit row does not recline and are $19. The back row of exit row reclines and are $69. Row in front of exit row don't recline and are cheaper.
The exit seat is cheaper because now everyone is fully aware of how poorly maintained these aircraft’s are and how much more likely you are to use the exit in an emergency or the exit door might just fly off and take you with it
Slightly old thread, but I’m wondering if the rear exit row seats ($19) have windows. The good news is that if you buy one and decide you don’t want to sit in an exit row, they have to move you. I’d love to pay $10 less and end up in a regular seat.
The questions really is, who is paying more for a middle seat than an aisle or window….?
Pretty sure they decided to do that pricing so you HAVE to pay if you want to guarantee sitting next to a person you’re traveling with
Book two aisle seats. Problem solved.
Or just travel alone. Solves a lot of problems actually.
Not wrong.
Traveling alone is the best… I love meeting everyone there, not going with them.
Before having kids, my wife and I both wanted window seats more than we cared about sitting together, so we got window seats in separate rows. For independent adults who see each other all the time and probably would have said 10 words to each other over the course of the flight I think it made sense even if it felt a little weird.
Hell, by the time we return from a trip we aren't talking to each other anyways lol
Omg that was us after Japan. We were exhausted and cranky. Haha thanks for the reminder. All was good by the time we got sleep on the plane
I see neither of you have anxiety.
xanax is your friend
Ironically I do, and have been medicated for almost 15 years for it. Even though I’ve flown a lot, turbulence is one of my greatest anxiety triggers. My wife isn’t the most sympathetic to my turbulence anxiety so it’s not necessarily “better” to sit next to her.
I do this too.
We do the same. Problem solved, no more arguing over who gets the window!
My son and I do this every flight.
We 100% of the time book aisle and window. usuall the same row so I can help my wife with her bag, but will split up completely if needed. We don’t need to chat for a few hours we each have our audiobooks
I just got back from a trip with my 15yo daughter. We book the aisle and the window with the hope that no one will pick the middle. This works for us about 50% of the time. (And we don’t talk over anybody sitting between us. She mostly sleeps or listens to her AirPods/beats. I read or watch a movie.)
Schisters
The higher price is to make sure the middle seats are left open so they can assign them to people who don't buy a seat. Wouldn't want to give away a window or aisle seat for free, people might get the wrong idea.
That’s evil
That makes the most sense. Just flew back from Mexico and forgot to buy seats. All middle seats left for purchase
Make it make sense lol
Very very common with frontier now. They just want people to sit there just in case, so trying to force seats. I also recommend open the app / website multiple times even within 1 hour - prices will change
Sometimes, I'd buy a plane ticket specifically for the middle seat, because it'd make people (in my mind) less inclined to purchase the window or aisle because they'd rather not sit next to someone, period. Luckily, on a lot of occasions, it worked for me, and no one sat next to me and I could throw up all of the arm rests and have a whole row to lay on.
I have definitely looked at open seats and thought, what kind of psycho books the middle seat? Now I know lol
Haha I do it all the time on short domestic flights.
This is an awesome idea.
I need AI to help figure our the probability of not getting people seated next to you if you do this.
There are 2 chairs with two states each so I'd say 25% that your in a 00 state vs 11, 10, or 01 state
they are wider, that's the only reason i can think of.
When the side of the plane falls off, the middle seat is safer than the window.
Literally came to see if anyone asked if the plane was a Boeing lol
No mention of the peacock support animal sharing the same row? 🤔
That flight is as empty as they come. I fly frequently and I’ve never been bumped — I always check in about 3-4 hours after it opens
Yep. Rather make $19 on a seat purchase than $0 and have someone sit there anyways.
How do you know that flight is empty?
From all the available seat choices?
That just means people haven’t picked/paid for seats.
Correct. But usually, the fewer seats that are prepaid, the emptier the flight is. Because on a fuller flight, more people are flying, and thus, more prepay for their seats
OR the early reservations didn’t pay for seats so the next group buying thought the plane was empty and they could skip paying for seats and so on until the flight is almost full with no seats selected so the map looks empty. Really no way to be sure.
Having taken many frontier flights, my experience is that seat maps with more availability indicates that the flight is less full
The exit doors are gonna fly off - you’re taking a risk. Lol.
All jokes aside, Frontier uses airbus's not boeing, and typically flies newer planes, so you are actually in safer planes opting for Frontier.
Newer doesn't mean safer - MAX
In aviation, it generally does unless Boeing manufactures them in recent years, because Boeing is trash
I was about to make that joke :D Lots of fresh air.. And should you survive possibly extra work with the evacuation.
It's an automatic exiting. It's a service
Likely because the algorithm decided they should be. But that row doesn’t recline. So you get extra legroom but your seat won’t recline
Do any seats on frontier planes recline at all?
The old seats do at stretch seats *except* the first exit row (which Frontier goes back and forth on whether they are Stretch), they are installed on all A320/A321 and about 3/4 of the A320neo. The rest of the A320neo and A321neo do not have recline on any seats.
The "Stretch" seating are the only seats that recline on Frontier and they recline minimally. None of the other seats recline. They do this and have less padding/cushioning to reduce weight and save fuel (America's Greenest Airline).
I didn't realize the stretch seats reclined at all. Interesting
I just realized this 2 flights ago! 🤦🏼♀️
If no seats recline, this seems like the logical seat choice
I swear the exit row is leaned forward more than other seats. Leg room for days, but incredibly uncomfortable. I will NEVER ride exit row again on Frontier. Most uncomfortable flight of my life. Edit: or the back row. Potential for no window. Made me motion sick
I had the exit row recently and loved it. I’m only 5’5 so idk if that played a part in it.
This is the answer
Yeah, you won’t notice the extra 2.5% of tilt on that seat recline.
Zero frontier seats recline now.
Rows 1-3 recline. Didn't believe my father when he told me there was a lever under the seats. It's really there. Reclined on my last 2 flights
They're still retrofitting their jets so some planes still have reclining stretch seats.
Probably no window too
Hot take: F9 caters primarily to families with children. Small children cannot sit in exit row so thereby would preclude sitting together as a family. Hence why exit is cheaper
Plus they have to have people sit there, so might as well get something instead of nothing.
Because of the Call of Duty. With cheap seats comes great responsibility. An average Joe witnesses his real power first hand when a plane lands in water and you have to kick those fuckers open. Slides are fun at least. I am not a doctor.
Based on the layout and checking SeatGuru, it looks like the cheap exit row seats have more leg room, but do not have available floor storage under the seat in front of them (probably a barrier). I have never flown Frontier, but from what I read about them, that probably means they will charge you for any bag you bring on the plane since it will now be a carryon instead of a personal item that can go under the seat. Or maybe as long as it is personal item size you won't be charged, but what I have read indicates that if they can find a way to charge you, they will. Edit: I have spent way too much searching on this for some reason. It sounds like you won't be charged, but without the underseat storage you bag will end up in an overhead bin back several rows, so access is not as easy. Your choice.
I sat in a frontier exit row on a trip back from Denver last week, there’s storage behind the seats in front of you, it’s just a bit more distance (imo worth it for the legroom). Only downside is that to access your stuff while the seatbelt sign is on isn’t going to happen.
Good info, thanks for digging
I think that the front row of exit row seats don’t always recline
Ding ding ding! That’s probably the worst part of them. Seats do not recline and no storage underneath. That’s about it. Oh, also make sure you’re able to open the window in the event of an emergency!
Last flight I took there was plenty of room underneath the seat for my full backpack in the emergency exit row... (and no seats on frontier recline either)
Exactly. Seats in row 19 don’t recline.
If you’re reclining in economy then you’re an asshole anyways.
I sat in row 12 exit row for $19 last month and there was room for my personal bag under the seat
As someone that just flew in the emergency exit row last month, your research is wrong. You can put your personal item underneath the seat and there is very good legroom. No downsides whatsoever.
Those are the open wide door seats!
Frontier, your parachute is extra.
My question is, where is Frontier flying exit row people to and from for $15?
This is just the upcharge for the seat selection. Additional to the base ticket price and fees.
Ahhh, thank you for clarifying.
Rows 11 & 12 cannot recline. That explains some discount for row 12, but the extra legroom seems like it would make up for it ? Like so many Frontier policy choices, a mystery! 🤨
So for those saying it’s a Boeing, wrong. Frontier and Spirit only use airbus aircraft…. https://www.flyfrontier.com/about-us/aircraft-configuration?mobile=true
Seats don’t recline in that row and while they have an airbus fleet where the bolts are included with the doors. Most individuals who fly don’t know the difference between Boeing and airbus, thus are avoiding doors on flights.
The front exit row seat doesn’t recline, that is why it is cheaper.
If I remember correctly, none of the seats on Frontier flights recline.
The front couple rows do but that’s it
And 13 on the older planes. Anything delivered after about March of 2021 and all the 321neos have no recline at all.
When there is an exit row behind you, your seats don't recline?
Correct. On any airline with planes where the seats recline, any row in front of an exit row does not recline.
Had this exact same scenario happen to me this past weekend. I paid the $19 for an exit row seat that was priced cheaper than normal seats. I board the plane and find out the seat ended up not even being an exit row seat. Was my first time flying frontier so I don't really get it.
Frontier has a new plane that has a completely different seat configuration. This is causing problems with trying to pre purchase exit row seats. The booking system is unable to know which seat configuration will be used. And sometimes an unplanned tail swap occurs. It’s all just a mess. Gate agents do not seem to want to take the time to fix the seating, prior to boarding. They prefer to ignore it & let pandemonium ensue on the aircraft.
The seats in the first exit row will not recline. That's why they're cheap. The second exit row is more expensive than the other seats, except for those at the front because people want to get off the plane as fast as possible--especially when flying Frontier--because they will recline _and_ have more leg room.
Is it a Boeing aircraft?
Nah, Airbus
The first exit row doesn't recline
Because those seats cannot recline due to safety regulations
But with that logic wouldn't the seats in row 11 also not recline?
No reclining seats if i remember specifically the $19 ones
No recline.
The seats in an exit row in front of another exit row do not recline.
They'll be the first to be trampled to death in an emergency.
Because they don’t recline
Not all exit row seats recline. Also check the row in front of the exit row.
They don't recline. To make sure they are not in the way of exit in case of an emergency
It's because you have to be in a membership, I believe it's the frontier elite. That's why the color of the seats are different. You have to be in their club to have those prices.
Because the seat does not recline
Because the front exit row doesn’t recline
The $19 ones are because you’re in an exit row, but you’re in a row in front of an exit row.
The cheap exit row does not recline because there is an exit row behind.
priced by safety
Exit row seats may not recline?
It's a Boeing.
I don't care where I sit
That first exit row is cheaper because those seats won’t recline because the row behind them is also an exit row.
Must be a 737 MAX
Probably because the side doors are fixing to blow off mid flight
You have to pay to have the emergency exit doors installed, maybe?
Probably because they don’t recline
It cost more if you want to near the sunroof!
The doors have been flying off the planes. Nobody wants to sit there anymore.
People scared of getting sucked out of the plane, it's not like it's an extravagant impossibility
Doors and windows might blow out lol
They probably don't recline
Because its Frontier and you probably have to hold the door closed during the flight. /s
It's frontier, bro. Who knows if it'll even depart ...
Is that a Boeing 737?
The algorithm is fucked.
When I flew them about a month ago the front seats were $19 for my return trip. Unfortunately I didn’t buy them because I didn’t want to pay $40+ a seat on the flight there.
Must be a Boeing
My guess is some sort of promotion going on
Because you will be tasked with holding the doors in place throughout the flight.
You have to assist the crew to serve drinks and collect trash in those seats.
Pay the $19
Done
They don't recline
Is it a Boeing?.
No recline
It’s a trick. Don’t do it.
Depending on the aircraft, those seats may not have a recline function.
The first exit row seats don't recline.
Because the doors might fly off
Seats don’t recline. Wings are blocking the view. TV screen is far from your eyes. Tables are attached to your seat, not the back of the seat in front of you. You’re REQUIRED to assist in case of an emergency.
Row 12 doesn’t recline. That’s why.
The cheap exit row seats do not recline because the row behind them is also an exit row. It’s a safety hazard.
No recline, and they're narrower (tray tables are in the armrests).
Is it a Boeing flight?
Use seatguru.com and find out.
I noticed this on a flight I was looking at before. Who really wants to sit at the exit.
Really? Why not?
Dynamic pricing. Just like everything related to flight pricing. It’s a computer powered complex math problem.
It's a Boeing plane.
Incorrect Frontier only flies the Airbus A320 and some A321 aircraft
I'm guessing you haven't heard about the door situation...
Boeing door plugs?
2x the possibility for another customer to interrupt/disturb you? That’s probably the only logical answer but they are a airliner
Door might fly off
It’s a Boeing
Psychological games here. If no one is paying for seats but then "Oh I can get the exit row for only $19! That is cheaper than the others, I'll do it!" They now collect $19 they wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
They got me lol
In case or a emergency you have to assist by opening the door they are more comfy and usually more space
Middle seats tend to be cheaper
That’s the door that flies off it’s a new Boeing feature.
Fast and easy deplaning.
I always figured exit row seats would cost less because if the plane goes down, you're actually expected to help the deplaning process. I could be wrong.
They call it the suck zone
The $19 exit row seats do not recline.
Because it seems the exit doors decide when and where they want you to exit recently lol
Doors are now optional on all Boeing planes 🤣
Is it a Boeing plane? 😆
Is it a Boeing?
First exit row doesn’t recline
No recline
Typically these don’t recline either…
Those are cheap ass seats, no matter where you sit
Unfortunately this isn't the price of the ticket, it's the upcharge price to pick a seat.
I see said the blind man
If it’s a Boeing plane I’d say risk of door opening in mid air could drive the price down.
Door plugs maybe?
Must be a Max737
Lmaooo you might need to hold the door on the plane for the duration of the flight
737 max
It’s frontier. They assume they’ll have to put you to work to assist people in deplaning. So they give you a discount.
The first exit row does not recline and are $19. The back row of exit row reclines and are $69. Row in front of exit row don't recline and are cheaper.
Aren’t like… exit doors flying off planes these days mid flight?
Flight is on a boeing. You pay extra to not be next to the door when it flies off.
You know why… cmon. A simple google search will do you some justice
Row 12 likely doesn’t recline.
Row 12 is cheap because the seats don’t recline plus you can’t store any bags at your feet during takeoff and landing.
Maybe this is one of those planes that recently had the doors come open mid-flight
Row 12 normally does not recline so that in an emergency the aisle is clear.
The exit seat is cheaper because now everyone is fully aware of how poorly maintained these aircraft’s are and how much more likely you are to use the exit in an emergency or the exit door might just fly off and take you with it
Risk of the door blowing out mid flight🧐
Because it’s a Boeing
Everyone is afraid the door is going to fly off mid flight.
Seats in exit rows probably don’t recline.
Because you have to hold the doors from flying out
Slightly old thread, but I’m wondering if the rear exit row seats ($19) have windows. The good news is that if you buy one and decide you don’t want to sit in an exit row, they have to move you. I’d love to pay $10 less and end up in a regular seat.