Southwest doesn't assign seats - which means seat selection is actually more strategic than on any other US carrier. Understanding the boarding process, the best positions on the aircraft, and how to guarantee a good seat without paying for Early Bird is the entire game.
Southwest switched from open seating to assigned seating in January 2026, ending a 50-year policy. The 737-800 has 175 seats in a 3-3 layout with no first class or business class. The single best seats are 16A and 16F - window seats behind the exit row with no seat in front, offering the most legroom on the aircraft. Avoid row 30 entirely.
Southwest's 737-800 is the workhorse of one of America's most popular airlines. Until January 2026 it was the only major US carrier where you picked your own seat after boarding. That era is over. Southwest now works like every other airline - you choose a seat when you book, and you sit in it.
If you haven't flown Southwest since the change, here's what you need to know before you pick your seat.
Southwest assigns boarding positions (A1-A60, B1-B60, C1-C60) rather than seats. Passengers board in boarding position order and choose any available seat. The boarding position is determined by check-in time relative to other passengers on the flight - earlier check-in equals a better boarding position. The practical mechanics:
Check-in opens exactly 24 hours before departure. Passengers who check in at the 24-hour mark typically receive A-group positions. Passengers who check in 30 minutes late may already be in the B group. On popular routes, the difference between checking in at exactly T-24:00 and T-23:45 can be 15-20 boarding positions - the difference between the exit row and a middle seat in the rear.
Business Select fares include A1-A15 boarding positions - the first 15 passengers to board, guaranteeing the best available seats on any flight. Anytime fares and Wanna Get Away Plus fares include Early Bird Check-In (automatic check-in 36 hours before departure) which typically produces A or early B boarding positions. Wanna Get Away (the cheapest fare) does not include Early Bird - purchase it separately for $15-25 if seat quality matters.
With open seating, the best seats are those that fill first - which tells you what experienced Southwest passengers target. Exit rows 16 and 17 are the primary targets: extra legroom (approximately 32-34 inches versus 31 standard), and on the 737-800, the over-wing exit rows have the unique characteristic of being quieter than most other window positions due to their placement between the engine pods. Row 1 (the very front) is targeted by passengers who need to deplane quickly for connections - it's the first row off the aircraft.
The window seat at row 1 (1A and 1C) has no seat in front, providing extra legroom at the front similar to a bulkhead - though there is no physical bulkhead, the lack of a forward seat creates meaningful extra space. Row 1B (the middle) has a tray table in the armrest and no under-seat storage during takeoff.
Southwest's open seating creates a specific challenge for couples and families: boarding separately risks being split up. The strategy is to board together on a single boarding pass if possible, or to board one person in the A group who saves adjacent seats for companions boarding later. Seat saving is explicitly permitted by Southwest policy - passengers may save seats for companions who have not yet boarded. The practical limit is two saved seats before other passengers push back.
For families with young children, Southwest offers Family Boarding between A and B groups - regardless of boarding position. This guarantees families can sit together without needing A-group positions.
Southwest's 737-800 has 175 seats in a 3-3 layout. Seat pitch is 31-32 inches - standard for Southwest. Seat width is 17.1 inches. The aircraft has no seatback IFE screens - entertainment is via the Southwest app on personal devices connected to the onboard Wi-Fi. Southwest provides free messaging Wi-Fi on all flights and paid streaming Wi-Fi for video content.
Overhead bin space on the 737-800 is generous by narrowbody standards - Southwest's policy of two free checked bags means fewer passengers gate-check rollaboards, which reduces the overhead bin pressure that plagues other US carriers. Boarding early guarantees overhead space above your seat.
First priority: exit rows 16 and 17 window seats (16A, 16C, 17A, 17C). Maximum legroom, quieter position than most of the cabin, window view. Second priority: row 1 window seats (1A, 1C) for fast deplaning and extra forward legroom. Third priority: any window seat in rows 2-15 - window seats have a wall on one side and only one neighbor rather than two. Aisle seats in rows 2-15 are the fourth priority - no middle-seat neighbor on one side, aisle access without climbing over anyone.
Last two rows (rows 29-30 on most 737-800 configurations): no recline, galley noise, lavatory proximity, fuselage taper reduces shoulder room. Middle seats anywhere: with open seating, middle seats fill last, which means passengers who board late end up in them - avoid by boarding early. Row 16B and 17B (exit row middle seats): the exit row legroom advantage is largely negated by the middle seat penalty on a full flight.
No seatback screens - Southwest uses a streaming model via the Southwest app. Free messaging Wi-Fi is standard on all 737-800 flights. Paid streaming Wi-Fi supports video. USB-A charging outlets are available at most seats on the 737-800 - Southwest has progressively installed charging on the fleet. Power availability varies by aircraft age and retrofit status.
Southwest now has three types of seats: Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom. Standard and Preferred seats are the same seat in different locations - Standard toward the back, Preferred closer to the front. Both offer 31 inches of pitch. Extra Legroom seats have 3 to 5 extra inches of legroom and are at the front of the plane and in the exit rows.
Extra Legroom seats also include extra snacks and complimentary premium beverages.
Southwest's 737-800 seats 175 passengers with a seat pitch of 31 inches and a width of 17.8 inches. Every seat is in a 3-3 configuration. There is no first class, no business class, and no premium economy. Everyone is in the same cabin.
One thing that catches people out: Southwest uses pre-reclined seats that are fixed in a slight recline position. There is no recline button, which means no recline wars with the passenger behind you.
No power outlets on this aircraft. Bring a portable battery.
Seat | Why |
|---|---|
16A, 16F | Best on the plane. Window seats behind the exit row door with no seat in front. Maximum legroom. |
14A, 14F, 15A, 15F | Exit row seats. Extra legroom, good window views. |
Rows 1-6 | Extra Legroom designation at the front. Good for quick deplaning. |
Over-wing rows | Smoothest ride if you're prone to turbulence. |
Seat | Why |
|---|---|
Row 30 | Last row. Narrower due to fuselage taper, no recline, close to galley and lavatory. |
10A, 11A, 11F | These seats have a missing or misaligned window on the 737-800. Simple Flying |
Row 15 | Exit row seats here do not recline due to the exit row behind them. |
Exit row seats require you to be willing and able to assist in an emergency. You cannot have bags stored under the seat in front during takeoff and landing. The tray table is in the armrest, which makes the seat slightly narrower. Worth it for most passengers given the legroom gain.
Southwest operates three 737 variants - the 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. The 737-800 and MAX 8 have similar layouts. If you're checking your flight and see "73H" in the booking details, that's the 737-800. "7M8" is the MAX 8.
Seats 16A and 16F are the best on the aircraft - window seats behind the exit row with no seat in front, offering more legroom than any other position.
No. The 737-800 does not have power outlets or USB charging ports. Bring a portable battery pack.
Yes. Southwest officially switched to assigned seating on January 27, 2026, ending its open seating policy after more than 50 years.
175 seats in a 3-3 configuration, all economy class.
Extra Legroom seats have 3 to 5 extra inches of pitch compared to standard seats and are located at the front of the plane and in the exit rows. They also include extra snacks and complimentary premium beverages.
Yes. Wi-Fi is available on Southwest's 737-800 fleet.
