Space to escape

Air Safety Week, Nov 12, 2001

There is a minimum seat pitch, but it only applies to exit rows, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official advises in response to our recent report indicating that only the UK's Civil Aviation Authority has specified minimum seat separation standards (see ASW, Nov. 5). We were advised, go to Federal Aviation Regulations Part 25.813 for emergency exit access criteria.

Sure enough, a minimum of 20 inches between rows of 3 seats must be provided, which equates to Dimension C in our report. For all other seats, there are no minimum U.S. standards comparable to those mandated by the CAA.