On Indian airlines, extra legroom seats are usually front-row or emergency-exit-row seats sold as a paid seat selection on top of your fare. IndiGo calls its exit-row seats XL, and Akasa Air sells A++ and A+ seats. Exit-row seats also come with safety eligibility rules set out by each airline under DGCA requirements, so not every passenger can take them.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
Extra legroom can make a two or three hour flight noticeably more comfortable, but the seats are priced separately and come with conditions. Here is how they work across the main Indian airlines.
How are extra legroom seats sold in India?
They are sold as an add-on called seat selection. You pay a fee for a specific seat, either while booking, later through manage booking, or during web check-in. Prices differ by airline, aircraft, route and row, and they change, so we have not listed rupee figures here. Check the seat map during booking for the live price of each row.
IndiGo’s fee page lists extra-legroom seats under the name Emergency XL, priced separately from standard seats. Akasa Air’s seat selection page says pre-booking starts at a nominal price, with the front rows labelled A++ and A+. Air India’s seat pages say preferred seat selection is available in economy on select routes and extra-legroom seats carry a charge. For Air India Express, the pages we saw were not consistent on seat pricing, so check the booking flow for your route.
Who can sit in an exit row?
Exit-row seats are not only about comfort. Passengers sitting there may be needed to help in an emergency, so airlines apply eligibility criteria. Each airline publishes its own list, and the lists are based on DGCA requirements. The common points are:
- You must be physically able to open the exit and help others, and your condition must not stop you from doing so.
- You should be willing to assist in an emergency, which IndiGo lists in its conditions of carriage.
- You must be able to understand and follow crew instructions. Akasa Air lists being able to locate the exit and understand how the opening mechanism works.
- Air India says passengers who select an emergency exit row seat but do not meet its criteria at check-in, boarding or in flight may be moved to another seat without a refund. Check its published criteria, including any minimum age, when you pick the seat.
- Passengers with restricted mobility are not seated where they could obstruct an emergency exit, a rule IndiGo and Akasa Air both attribute to DGCA.
We could not confirm one single DGCA age figure that applies to every airline, so ask your airline for its age limit if you are travelling with a teenager. If you do not qualify on the day, the airline can seat you elsewhere, so ask what happens to the seat fee before you pay.
Does your fare family include extra legroom?
Generally not. Most fare families include no free seat, or at most a standard seat, and the extra-legroom rows stay chargeable. Here is what we could confirm from airline pages.
- IndiGo Flexi Plus: includes a complimentary standard seat, not an XL seat. XL rows remain extra.
- IndiGo Stretch: IndiGo’s fee page lists Stretch seats as complimentary with its business fares, Stretch and Stretch Plus. This is a different product from XL rows.
- Akasa Air Flexi: Akasa’s page says guests opting for the Flexi fare pay a nominal fee for pre-booking A++ and A+ seats, so the best seats are not free on Flexi.
- Air India Express and Air India: pages we saw were unclear or dated on whether Flex includes free preferred seats, so check the fare inclusions for your route before you pay for a seat.
If you do not buy any seat, you are not left without one. IndiGo says you can choose any free seat that is available, or you will be assigned one without charge at check-in at the airport.
Is paying for extra legroom worth it?
It depends on your height, flight length and how the price compares with the fare. On a short hop, many travellers skip it. On longer sectors, or if you are tall, the price can feel fair, especially when the seat also gives you an aisle or easy access to the exit.
One practical point: compare the seat fee with the price of a higher fare that bundles benefits you actually use, such as changes or baggage, before deciding. Also look at the seat map for each row, since the price varies by row and aircraft. A small aviation fact: exit-row passengers are chosen partly because they may be asked to help in an emergency, which is why the eligibility list matters more than the extra space.
Common Questions
Are extra legroom seats free on any Indian airline?
They are generally charged. IndiGo lists Stretch seats as complimentary with its business fares, but economy fares usually do not include XL seats free.
Can I pick an exit row at the airport?
Airlines assign remaining free seats at check-in, but exit-row seats are usually sold. Availability can also depend on staff checking your eligibility at the airport.
Can a child sit in an exit row?
Generally no. Airlines set a minimum age and other criteria for exit rows, so children and teenagers are often not allowed. Check your airline’s published criteria before you pay.
Can I get a refund if I am moved from an exit row?
Air India says passengers who do not meet the criteria may be reassigned without a refund. Policies for other airlines were not confirmed, so ask before you pay and keep your receipt.
Why can the price of the same seat differ?
Seat prices vary by airline, aircraft, route and row, and they change over time. The seat map shows the live price at the moment you book.
Is seat selection free at web check-in?
Standard seats are usually free at check-in if still available, but premium seats such as XL still carry a fee.
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Seat rules, fees and eligibility criteria change; verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA, or the airport before you travel.
