The American Airlines 737-800 offers Business and Premium Economy cabins on select routes. With a 2-2 business layout and standard 3-3 economy configuration, seat selection is crucial for comfort. This guide helps you avoid middle seats and find the best spots for your journey.
The 737-800 features a 2-2 Business Class (37" pitch) and 3-3 Economy layout (30" pitch). Best seats are bulkhead MCE in row 8 (8A/8F) and exit row 17 (17A/17F) for extra legroom. Avoid row 33 (last row with no recline) and all B/E middle seats in economy. Premium Economy is available on this aircraft for added comfort between Business and Economy.
American Airlines Business Class on the 737-800 features a 2-2 seating layout with 16 total seats across 8 rows. Each seat offers 37 inches of pitch and 21 inches of width, providing adequate comfort for short to medium-haul flights. However, note that this cabin does not include a privacy door between seats, so you may have some interaction with your cabin mate. Business Class passengers enjoy priority boarding, enhanced meal service, and premium amenities.
Premium Economy is available on this aircraft, offering a middle ground between Business and Economy. Passengers receive better pitch and width than Economy Class, along with enhanced service and amenities. This is an excellent option for cost-conscious business travelers or leisure passengers seeking extra comfort without the Business Class price tag.
Economy Class uses the standard 3-3 configuration with 30 inches of pitch and 17 inches of width. The cabin is divided into main deck economy and standard economy rows. Middle seats (B and E) are generally the least desirable due to lack of aisle or window access. Exit row seats offer additional legroom but come with restrictions on who can sit there. Row 33, the final row, offers limited recline and proximity to lavatories and galleys, making it less comfortable for longer flights.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
8A / 8F | Business / MCE | Bulkhead position provides extra legroom and prestige with minimal foot traffic |
17A / 17F | Economy | Exit row seats offer substantially more legroom without Business Class cost |
2A / 2F | Business | First row window seats with direct aisle access and premium positioning |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
Row 33 | Economy | Last row with limited recline, proximity to lavatories, and minimal comfort on longer flights |
B / E seats (all rows) | Economy | Middle seats lack window views and direct aisle access, offering worst personal space |
Rows 25-32 | Economy | Standard economy with no extra legroom and higher foot traffic near lavatories |
American Airlines 737-800s lack seatback AC power entirely, though some newer aircraft in the fleet offer USB-A ports at select seats (primarily forward cabin rows). WiFi is delivered via Viasat or Intelsat depending on aircraft age, streamed directly to your device rather than legacy seatback IFE - expect streaming speeds of 5-15 Mbps on typical domestic routes, adequate for messaging but borderline for video. Bluetooth audio pairing is unreliable on this generation, so wired headphones remain your best bet for the seatback entertainment system. Battery anxiety is real on cross-country flights; carry a portable charger rated for multiple device charges.
The 737-800 has limited overhead bin capacity (roughly 1,430 cubic feet total), and on full flights gate-checking carry-ons is routine, particularly in rows 15 - 25. Passengers boarding in Groups 1 - 3 (First Class, Business, elite frequent flyers) virtually guarantee overhead space if they board within the first 10 minutes; General Boarding (Group 5+) often finds bins full by the time they reach rows 8 - 14. A standard roller carry-on (22×14×9) fits wheels-in if you place it early, but must be stored sideways in rows 20+ once bins fill. Consider a soft-sided bag for maximum packing flexibility and easier stowage in tight spaces.
American uses a tiered boarding system: First Class, Business Class, AAdvantage Platinum/Diamond (Group 1), Main Cabin Extra (Group 2), and General Boarding (Groups 3 - 5), with each group boarding in 5-minute intervals. Seats in rows 1 - 4 deplane first and clear the aircraft within 60 - 90 seconds; rows 8 - 12 exit mid-stream; rear cabin (rows 20+) rarely clears in under 5 minutes. Both forward and rear doors open simultaneously on this aircraft, though exit pace is controlled by the single-aisle bottleneck. For a tight domestic connection, book row 5 - 7 (Business Class or exit-row seats) to balance quick deplaning with reasonable ticket pricing.
Seat selection opens 24 hours before departure for all fare classes on American, though elite members (AAdvantage Platinum and above) unlock premium economy and exit-row seats at 72 hours advance. Exit-row seats (typically rows 11, 12, 18, 19) are reserved for elite frequent flyers until 48 hours before departure, then released to Main Cabin Extra or standard Economy purchasers. The best economy seats (rows 8 - 10, forward cabin for quick exit) typically fill 3 - 5 days before departure on popular routes. Pro tip: set a phone alarm for exactly 24 hours before your flight and book immediately if traveling solo - window or aisle seats in rows 8 - 10 vanish within minutes on full flights.
Yes, the 2-2 layout means all Business Class seats have either window or aisle access. However, there is no privacy door between seats, so you may interact with your seatmate during the flight.
Main Cabin Extra (MCE) offers extra legroom in Economy seating areas, typically in rows 8 and exit rows. Premium Economy is a separate cabin class with wider seats, better pitch, and enhanced service. Premium Economy offers superior comfort but at a higher price point than MCE.
Row 33 has limited or no recline function as it is the last row of the aircraft. This makes it uncomfortable for extended flights, so it's best avoided if possible.
Exit row seats (row 17) offer significantly more legroom than standard Economy at a reasonable upcharge. However, you must be able-bodied and willing to assist in an emergency. These seats are excellent value for economy passengers seeking extra space.
Window seats in rows 8A/8F (MCE) or 17A/17F (exit row) are ideal for solo travelers, offering privacy, extra legroom, and no middle seat intrusion. These provide the best economy experience on the 737-800.
