Economy Extra Legroom
Southwest's premium economy tier occupies the forward cabin with 30 seats in a 3-3 layout. The 34-inch pitch is noticeably roomier than standard Economy and provides genuine legroom for passengers under 6 feet. All seats are 17 inches wide E-Leather with winged headrests. Seatback pockets accommodate tablets, chargers, and water bottles. Passengers report that the extra legroom is worthwhile for regional flights under 2 hours; beyond that, you may still want to stand occasionally on a narrow-body. Extra Legroom passengers board in A group, giving you earlier cabin access and better overhead bin availability.
Economy
Standard Economy makes up the bulk of the 737-800 with 145 seats arranged 3-3 throughout the cabin. The 31-inch pitch is tight for long-haul flights but acceptable for short-haul routes under 2 hours. All seats are 17 inches wide E-Leather with winged headrests. Passengers report sufficient legroom for feet and carry-on bags stowed underneath. Exit rows and rows immediately behind them follow standard narrowbody configuration; verify exact row numbers and non-recline restrictions on Southwest's seat map before booking, as these vary by deployment. The rear cabin often has open middle seats even on full flights, according to passenger accounts, making aisle and window selections in rows 20–32 a solid strategy if you prefer to avoid the middle seat squeeze.
Best seats
| Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|
| Window or aisle, forward Extra Legroom zone | Economy (Extra Legroom) | 34-inch pitch plus A-group boarding priority; forward position minimizes galley and lavatory noise |
| Window seat, rear cabin (rows 20–32) | Economy | Passengers report rear cabin middle seats often remain open on full flights, increasing your odds of an empty middle seat and a more comfortable 3-seat row experience |
| Aisle seat, mid-cabin | Economy | Easy access to lavatories and galleys without crossing reclined seats; allows quick stands on longer flights |
| Window seat, forward cabin | Economy (Extra Legroom) | Extra legroom plus window view; forward position avoids engine noise and rear-cabin vibration |
Seats to avoid
| Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|
| Middle seat, full flights | Economy | On full flights, middle seats guarantee armrest conflicts and reduced personal space in a 17-inch-wide seat; rear cabin middle seats are slightly better odds for no-shows |
| Rows immediately behind exit rows | Economy | Exit-row seats do not recline; rows immediately behind them may have reduced recline or legroom due to wall positioning—verify on seat map before booking |
| Last row of cabin | Economy | Proximity to rear galley and lavatories; galley activity and lavatory queues disrupt sleep and increase noise; limited overhead bin space due to aircraft taper |
| Aisle seats adjacent to lavatory | Economy | Passengers report lavatory odor, noise, and foot traffic during flight; seat is noisy even with lavatory door closed |
💰 True Cost Breakdown
Southwest's seat selection model differs from traditional legacy carriers: you do not pay a base seat selection fee at booking. Instead, seat selection fees vary by zone and availability at check-in, typically increasing for premium locations like front rows, exit rows with extra legroom, and seats near the front of the cabin.
On the Southwest 737-800, the Economics Extra Legroom section — with 34 inches of pitch — commands higher fees than standard Economy seats at 31 inches of pitch. Front-row aisle seats and exit-row seats typically cost more than middle-back cabin positions.
Whether to pay depends on your priorities: exit-row and front-cabin seats justify the cost if you value early deplaning, shorter walks to baggage, or meaningful legroom gains. Standard Economy seats in rows 15–25 often represent the best value, offering adequate comfort without premium fees.
Fees fluctuate by route, date, and load factor. Check Southwest's seat map and current pricing at the time of your check-in to compare options and make an informed choice. Early check-in (24 hours before departure) often gives you access to better seat availability before fees escalate.
📐 Space Reality
The Southwest 737-800 offers two pitch configurations on this aircraft: Economy Extra Legroom at 34 inches and standard Economy at 31 inches. Seat width is consistent across both cabins at 17 inches.
For a passenger of average height (5'8"–5'10"), 31 inches of pitch provides adequate legroom to cross your legs or rest your feet flat on the floor, though you'll feel the seat back in front of you if you recline. The 34-inch pitch in Extra Legroom rows feels noticeably roomier—enough to extend legs without pressing your knees against the seat ahead.
Compared to comparable economy cabins on United's 737-900, which offer similar pitch and width on domestic routes, the Southwest seat feels neither tighter nor more spacious; the experience is broadly equivalent. Southwest's E-Leather seats are durable and practical, though they lack the cushioning depth of premium leisure-oriented products.
At 17 inches wide, the seat itself is standard for modern narrowbody aircraft. Armrests are fixed, so width constraints are real if you're broad-shouldered or traveling with a partner who needs to share an armrest. The winged headrests provide modest lateral support and do not noticeably reduce the already-narrow width feel.
Honest assessment: 31 inches of pitch is livable for flights up to 4–5 hours, but you will notice the confinement on longer routes. If you're taller than 6'2" or simply prefer room to move, the 4-inch pitch difference in Extra Legroom rows is worth the fee.
⚡ Power & Connectivity
Southwest 737-800 aircraft do not offer in-seat power (USB or AC outlets) on this fleet type. Connectivity is similarly limited: the airline has not equipped all 737-800s with WiFi, and availability varies by aircraft.
Passenger accounts describe inconsistent WiFi access across Southwest's 737-800 fleet; some aircraft have the system, others do not. Before you book or board, check Southwest's fleet information on their website or confirm with gate agents whether your specific flight will have WiFi available.
Without in-seat power, a power bank is prudent for any flight on this aircraft, especially if your trip exceeds 3 hours or you plan to use your phone or tablet throughout the flight. A compact 10,000–20,000 mAh bank will fully recharge most phones 1–2 times and fits easily in a personal item.
🏃 Boarding & Exit Strategy
Southwest operates an open-seating boarding model with three groups (A, B, C), assigned at check-in. Priority boarding typically favors passengers who check in early (within 24 hours of departure), those with elite frequent-flyer status, and those purchasing premium boarding or Extra Legroom seats.
Boarding positions within your group determine your boarding order: earlier positions board first and have access to the widest seat selection. Passenger reports describe that positions B55 and B56 (late in the B group) still provide decent middle-cabin seating on a full flight, though window and aisle seats fill quickly.
Aisle seats near the front of the cabin (rows 1–10) deplane fastest because passengers exit directly to the jet bridge without navigating the cabin. Middle and rear aisle seats require walking the full length of the aircraft. Window seats are last to exit from any row.
Southwest's boarding policy and group counts may change; verify current eligibility rules on the airline's website before your trip. On turnarounds and certain airports, Southwest may use rear-door exits to accelerate deplaning, but this varies by airport and operational conditions—ask the flight attendant if you want to position yourself strategically for a fast turnaround.
Passenger Reviews
Passenger reviews for the Southwest 737-800 aren't yet available in our database. The specs above are verified from Southwest's published fleet data. As we add sources for this aircraft, this section will be updated with passenger experience summaries.