Alaska Airlines' Boeing 737-800 offers a mix of First Class and Economy configurations with recent fleet updates. The new cabin layout introduces additional premium seating and hidden gems for savvy travelers. Discover the best seats to book and which ones to skip on this workhorse narrow-body jet.
The 737-800 features a 2-2 First Class cabin with 16 seats in the newer configuration and standard economy seating throughout. Book window seats in First Class (A/F) for optimal comfort, or hunt for seat 18A/18F in the new config for unexpected legroom advantages. Avoid the last row (row 33 in new config) due to reduced recline and galley proximity, and skip eliminated row 17A/17F if traveling on older aircraft.
Alaska Airlines First Class on the 737-800 features a 2-2 layout with a 40-inch pitch, providing comfortable legroom for short to medium-haul flights. The newer configuration offers 16 seats compared to 12 in the older setup. Seats are 21.3 inches wide in the new config (21 inches in old config). The cabin lacks a privacy door, so expect moderate noise from the main deck. Direct aisle access is available in the 2-2 configuration.
Alaska Airlines operates a Premium Economy cabin on this aircraft type, positioning it between First Class and standard Economy for enhanced comfort at a mid-tier price point.
Economy seating details are not fully specified in Alaska's current published specifications, but standard 737-800 economy typically features a 3-3 layout with 31-32 inches of pitch. Economy passengers should be aware that the last row may have limited recline and proximity to lavatories and galleys.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
1A or 1F | First Class | Window seats with premium positioning, priority boarding, and first access to cabin amenities |
18A or 18F | Economy/Premium (New Config) | Hidden legroom gem in the new configuration with extra space not available in surrounding rows |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
17A or 17F | First Class (Old Config) | Eliminated in the newer aircraft configuration; avoid booking if your airline confirms old-config aircraft |
33 (or 32 in old config) | Economy | Last row with restricted recline, galley and lavatory noise, and minimal personal space |
Alaska Airlines 737-800s feature inconsistent power availability - newer aircraft offer USB-A and USB-C ports at every First Class seat and select premium cabin rows, while older frames may have none. The airline streams entertainment to personal devices via seatback tablets in First Class, but standard cabin passengers rely on older seatback IFE systems with limited content libraries. WiFi is complimentary for MVP members and First Class passengers; expect download speeds of 5-8 Mbps on domestic routes, though performance degrades with full aircraft loads. Bluetooth connectivity for headphones is not supported on the seatback systems, requiring wired audio connections.
The 737-800 has limited overhead bin capacity - approximately 2,340 cubic feet total across the cabin - making gate-checking common on full flights, especially on routes with heavy leisure travel. Rows 1-8 (First Class and forward cabin) typically board first and guarantee overhead space; rows 9-15 have 60-70% success rate, while rows 16+ frequently see bins full by boarding completion. Store carry-ons wheels-first (roller bag nose into the bin) to maximize space utilization and minimize bin overflow. Gate-checking is most likely on afternoon/evening departures and westbound evening flights when aircraft run full.
Alaska Airlines uses a six-tier boarding system prioritizing MVP Gold/Diamond, First Class, MVP members, Main Cabin Extra, zone-based boarding, and general passengers - so your seat location determines boarding group placement. The fastest deplaning occurs from rows 1-5 via the forward door (typically 3-4 minutes to terminal), while rows 16+ via the rear door adds 5-7 minutes. For tight domestic connections, book First Class or rows 6-10 to deplane within the first wave; avoid rows 13+ unless you have 90+ minute layovers. The rear exit row door opens before the forward door on most 737 operations, so exit row seats (rows 11-12 on this aircraft) can be deceptively slow.
Alaska Airlines releases premium seat selection (First Class, exit rows, Main Cabin Extra) immediately upon booking for all fare classes, but only MVP elites receive complimentary exit row access; everyone else pays $15-25. Optimal seats (rows 1-5, First Class) typically become available 14-21 days before departure due to elite cancellations, so set alerts for these windows rather than booking immediately. Avoid booking exit rows more than 2 weeks early unless you have specific legroom needs - last-minute discounting is rare, but seat availability remains predictable. Pro tip: Book Main Cabin Extra seats in rows 11-12 (exit rows with extra legroom) 10-14 days before departure for a $25-35 discount versus early booking rates, securing both premium spacing and savings.
The new configuration adds 4 additional First Class seats (16 total vs. 12), increases seat width slightly to 21.3 inches, and optimizes the cabin layout. The old configuration featured only 12 First Class seats and eliminated row 17. Seat 18A/18F offers unexpected legroom in the new config.
No, the 737-800 First Class cabin does not feature privacy doors or enclosed suites. It's an open 2-2 layout, so expect moderate cabin noise and visibility between cabins.
Seat 18A/18F in the new configuration is noted as a hidden legroom gem. Standard Economy legroom varies; check your specific flight configuration before booking.
Alaska's Premium Economy offers a middle ground between First Class and Economy. It's worth considering for longer 737-800 routes if standard Economy feels cramped and First Class pricing is prohibitive.
First Class window seats (1A, 1F) and any window seat over the wing will provide the best views. Avoid seats near the tail (row 33) for better forward visibility during flight.
