You are correct about exit row seats. Only able-bodied passengers who can assist in an emergency are allowed. This is a safety regulation mandated by aviation authorities (FAA, EASA, etc.). Disabled passengers / special needs: Airlines are required by law (e.g. Air Carrier Access Act in the US and similar rules elsewhere) to provide suitable seating — bulkhead seats, seats with movable armrests, extra space, etc. Families with young children: Often prioritized to sit together Airlines cannot systematically prevent all men from sitting next to women or children. That would be illegal gender discrimination in most countries. They are not allowed to treat male passengers as a group of potential threats based solely on their sex. Women (especially those travelling alone or with children) can often request a seat change if they feel uncomfortable, and many airlines will try to accommodate this when seats are available. A few airlines (notably IndiGo in India) have introduced systems that let female passengers see which seats are already occupied by other women, so they can choose to sit next to women if they prefer.
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