In accordance with a directive issued by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, starting April 1, 2009, emergency exit row seats will be limited to passengers that satisfy all of the conditions below. (Directive released on July 3, 2008. Effective on/after April 1, 2009)
Your generous understanding and cooperation is highly appreciated.

Which seats are referred to as "emergency exit row seats"?

Of the rows adjacent to an aisle that lead to emergency exits on the left and right sides (cross aisle), the seats rear of the aisle are referred to as "emergency exit row seats". Rows that are separated by an aisle and galley, lavatory, partition, etc. are not included.

How can I stow my carry-on baggage and personal belongings at exit row seats?

Carry-on baggage cannot be placed at your feet or on your lap during takeoff and landing.
Please stow all your baggage and personal belongings in the overhead compartment. Baggage which is not stowed properly may be an obstacle in the event of an emergency evacuation.

What kind of instructions will the crew give during an emergency evacuation?

Cabin attendants will give instructions mainly on the five points below.
(1) Stop the passengers until cabin attendants have completely opened the emergency exit.
(2) Check that the area outside the aircraft is safe, operate and open the emergency door, following the instructions of the cabin attendants.
(3) Assist passengers to rapidly evacuate after the Escape Slide has been deployed.
(4) Assist each of the passengers to evacuate at the bottom of the Escape Slide or emergency exit.
(5) Call out to passengers to keep away from the aircraft as quickly as possible.

Cabin attendants may give instructions other than the above, as necessary.

Is it absolutely necessary to assign passengers to seats near an emergency exit?

When it is necessary to make an emergency evacuation, cabin attendants will request the assistance of passengers in accordance with standard procedures. If passengers who have consented to help are seated near emergency exits, it will be possible to act quickly even in unpredictable cases. Cabin attendants are trained to ensure a rapid emergency evacuation, even without the assistance of passengers. Therefore there are no problems even if seats at the exits are not occupied. However, we feel that by assigning passengers to these seats who have agreed to help, a rapid evacuation can be achieved.

Why are children under 15 years old restricted from sitting at exits?

Passengers must be physically strong and capable of following instructions, such as opening the emergency door manually, under instructions of cabin attendants in an emergency. Though there may be individual differences, it has been determined, under the "Operational Regulations, Examination Procedures, Detailed Regulations" issued by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, that passengers can assist if they have reached the age of 15, and that is why passengers under the age of 15 cannot be seated at exits.

Are emergency exit row seats not available to pregnant passengers?

Due to the possible physical burden that may occur to pregnant passengers when assistance is needed during an emergency evacuation, all pregnant passengers are required to reserve a non-emergency exit row seat.

What is the meaning of passengers who cannot evacuate on their own?

This refers to passengers who must be escorted when boarding for safety reasons, and who fulfill the four conditions below.
(1) Passengers requiring medical assistance onboard
   (use of a stretcher, required to take medicine, use of medical devices)
(2) Passengers who are unable to eat meals, use the lavatory, or press the call button themselves
(3) Passengers having difficulty communicating with airline staff
(4) International flights: children under 12 years old, Domestic flights: children under eight years old.

What is the meaning of passengers who require assistance from their companion during an emergency evacuation?

This refers to passengers who are unable to evacuate on their own and require assistance from any individuals accompanying them in the event of an emergency evacuation. Such passengers will not be permitted to sit in exit row seats.

Passengers may sit in emergency exit rows if they are traveling with someone age 12 years or older who can provide assistance and if they themselves will not require assistance.

For example, passengers traveling with children under eight (domestic flights) or under 12 (international flights)

• One adult in an "emergency exit row seat", accompanying one adult and one child in an "other seat": Seating is permitted
• Two adults in "emergency exit row seats" and one child in an "other seat": Seating is permitted
• Two adults and one child in emergency exit row seats: Seating is not permitted

Why must passengers seated at exits be able to understand Japanese or English?

Cabin attendants will give instructions and explain what to do in Japanese and English. If cabin attendants and passengers are unable to communicate in an emergency, it would be difficult for said passengers to assist during an evacuation. Therefore, the ability to understand Japanese or English is a seating condition. If the cabin attendant in charge of the seats uses another language, and it is judged that the cabin attendant and passengers can communicate, passengers who speak languages other than Japanese and English can be assigned to seats at exits.

I am healthy now, but do I have to change my seat if I fall ill after sitting at an emergency exit?

Assisting during an evacuation in an emergency is one of the conditions for sitting in these seats. Therefore, if you are unable to assist, please contact staff at that point (reservations staff, airport staff, cabin attendant, etc.), and we will change the seat allocation.

Can I sit at an emergency exit if I can help the passengers by other means, even though I have mobility issues with walking?

Giving instructions by shouting, etc. is a very important way of assisting in an emergency, but passengers may be asked to open or close the door, or move around the cabin. Therefore, one of the seating conditions is being able to move around the cabin quickly, and to communicate with cabin attendants.

Is there a penalty if I consent to assisting, but am unable to?

No, there is no penalty. However, to ensure greater safety in overall responses in an emergency, please contact our staff as soon as you find out that you are unable to assist, and we will change your seat.

What is the background to this decision to place restrictions on seating near emergency exits?

The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has issued new standards to all Japanese airlines, titled "Operational Regulations, Examination Procedures, Detailed Regulations (Directive of Flight Standards Division, Director)," with the aim of evacuating passengers with greater safety in an emergency. As differences in rules between airlines have been removed, we will be able to facilitate the movement of passengers under uniform standards. By securing assistants in advance to help during an emergency evacuation, we will be able to further increase safety.

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