Ryanair
Boeing 737-800
Ryanair 737-800 Seat Guide (2026) | Cabin
TL;DR
Ryanair's 737-800 seats 189 passengers in an all-economy layout with a pitch of 29-30 inches. Seats do not recline and there are no power outlets on board. The exit rows at 16 and 17 are the best seats if you want more space. Row 1 has the most legroom but comes with galley noise and a narrower seat. Avoid the last row under any circumstances.
Try Cabin
Ryanair's 737-800 is one of the most flown aircraft in Europe. It's also one of the tightest. If you're boarding without a strategy, you're likely to end up in a middle seat with 30 inches of pitch and no ability to recline. Here's how to avoid that.
Ryanair's 737-800 is one of the most flown aircraft in Europe. It's also one of the tightest. If you're boarding without a strategy, you're likely to end up in a middle seat with 30 inches of pitch and no ability to recline. Here's how to avoid that.
The Layout
189 seats in a single economy class, 3-3 configuration. Seat pitch ranges between 29 and 30 inches and seats are in a pre-reclined state - they do not recline further. There are no power outlets and no Wi-Fi on board.
This is a no-frills setup by design. Ryanair makes its money keeping planes in the air and turnarounds fast. Expect what you pay for.
The Seat Categories
Ryanair sells seats in tiers. Standard seats are the base. Premium seats at the front of the cabin include a few extra inches of legroom and priority boarding. Exit row seats offer the most space but come with restrictions.
Exit rows 16 and 17 offer 35 inches of pitch, around 5-6 more inches than standard rows.
Best Seats
Seat | Why |
|---|---|
16A-F, 17A-F | Exit rows. Most legroom on the aircraft. Worth paying for on flights over 2 hours. |
Row 18 | Slightly better legroom than standard rows without exit row restrictions. A good compromise. |
2D, 2E, 2F | Bulkhead seats with good knee space. No under-seat storage during takeoff and landing. |
29A, 29F | On the 737-800, these seats have extra legroom due to aircraft structure. Popular with tall travelers. |
Seats to Avoid
Seat | Why |
|---|---|
Last row (33) | No recline, closest to rear galley and lavatory, narrower due to fuselage taper. |
1A, 1B, 1C | Best legroom on board but narrower due to tray table in armrests and fuselage curvature. Galley and lavatory proximity is a genuine issue. |
1D | Aisle seat next to the boarding door. Constant foot traffic during boarding and service. |
Missing Windows
This catches people off guard. Several seats have missing or misaligned windows including 12A and 14A on some configurations. If a window view matters to you, check the seat map carefully before selecting.
Exit Row Rules
Exit row seats have extra legroom but no under-seat stowage during takeoff and landing. The tray table is in the armrest, making the seat slightly narrower than standard. You must be willing and able to assist in an emergency to sit here.
737-800 vs 737 MAX 8
Ryanair operates both. A traveler on FlyerTalk recommends row 17 specifically because it is an exit row on both the 737-800 and MAX 8, making it a safe pick regardless of which aircraft operates your flight. If you want consistency, row 17 is your answer.
What is the best seat on a Ryanair 737-800?
Exit rows 16 and 17 offer the best legroom, with around 5-6 extra inches compared to standard seats. Row 17 works on both the 737-800 and MAX 8 if you are unsure which aircraft you will be on.
Do Ryanair seats recline?
No. Ryanair seats are in a pre-reclined state and do not recline further.
Does Ryanair have power outlets?
No. There are no power outlets or USB charging ports on Ryanair's 737-800.
How many rows does a Ryanair 737-800 have?
33 rows, with exit rows at 16 and 17.
Is extra legroom worth it on Ryanair?
On flights under 90 minutes, probably not. On anything over 2 hours, the extra 5-6 inches makes a meaningful difference and is worth the upgrade fee for most passengers.
How wide are Ryanair seats?
17 inches wide.
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