The airline said seats next to emergency exits and at the front of rows -- which passengers seeking extra room to stretch their legs would formerly have been able to reserve without extra charge at check-in -- will now cost an $80 surcharge to reserve, The Daily Mail reported Friday.

An Air France spokesman said frequent fliers will be able to reserve the seats at a normal price after they have reached Gold or Platinum status.

"It will be a small charge to have to pay for extra legroom," the spokesman said.