Published November 4, 2008

SIA levies US$50 fee on economy exit-row seats

No such charge on short-haul S-E Asia, B777-200ER flights

By NISHA RAMCHANDANI

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(SINGAPORE) Following in the footsteps of some US and low-cost carriers, Singapore Airlines said yesterday that economy-class passengers who want exit-row seats with more legroom will have to pay a US$50 fee for each part of their journey.

For instance, customers travelling from Sydney to London via Singapore - SQ222 to Singapore and SQ322 to London - will have to pay US$100.

The move will not apply to short-haul routes within South-east Asia or flights operated by Boeing B777-200ER aircraft as these do not have seats in exit rows.

According to SIA spokesman Stephen Forshaw, the move is about better service - not money. 'There is high demand for those seats,' he said. 'Currently, requests are taken, but there is no way to guarantee the selection of such seats. This is really about offering a service enhancement - it's something that not every customer wants or needs. Those for whom it is important will have the opportunity to purchase the option and guarantee it.'

Revenue from the fee will be very small, he said. This is 'hardly about the money'.

SIA said that other categories of 'preferred' seats may be made available for 'selection'.

Some travellers said yesterday that they would consider paying extra for an exit-row seat on a long flight. But others were hardly enthralled.

'I don't know if I'd pay for it. As it is, you already have to take on the exit row duties in exchange for the extra leg room,' said Lena Quek, marketing manager of eFinancialCareers, adding that the fee also penalises taller passengers who need more space.

Passengers who occupy exit row seats must meet certain requirements, such as being fully able-bodied so that they can open the exit doors quickly in an emergency.

'There's already so much calculated into our air ticket, such as fuel surcharges and taxes,' said Lesley Tan, a lawyer with a foreign firm. 'Now we have to pay for seat selection as well?'