Southwest Airlines operates Boeing 737 aircraft with all-economy seating and no premium cabin options. The airline is known for its open seating policy, allowing passengers to choose their seats at boarding. Understanding Extra Legroom rows and seat configurations across different 737 variants helps maximize your flying experience.
Southwest's 737 fleet features an all-economy cabin with 137-175 seats depending on aircraft type. Extra Legroom rows offer the best comfort with additional legroom and premium positioning. Avoid seats near lavatories and galleys, and note that specific Extra Legroom rows vary between 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8 models.
Southwest Airlines operates three Boeing 737 variants: the 737-700 with 137 seats, 737-800 with 175 seats, and 737 MAX 8. All aircraft feature a single all-economy cabin with a 3-3 seat configuration. There is no business class or premium economy cabin available.
The entire cabin is configured as economy seating. Seats are arranged in rows with a standard 32-inch pitch on most aircraft. Southwest's open seating policy means passengers select their seats at the gate during boarding, creating a dynamic cabin experience. All passengers receive the same basic seat amenities regardless of position.
Southwest offers Extra Legroom seating in select rows that vary by aircraft type. These premium economy-plus seats provide additional legroom (typically 38-40 inches) and are positioned near the front or overwing areas. Extra Legroom rows differ between the 737-700 and 737-800, so confirm your specific aircraft type when booking.
Seat | Aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|
Extra Legroom Rows (varies) | All 737 variants | Maximum legroom and comfort with premium positioning |
Overwing Exit Rows | All 737 variants | Extra legroom and less foot traffic than rear sections |
Forward cabin rows (1-10) | All 737 variants | Shorter boarding and deplaning times, proximity to exits |
Seat | Aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|
Rows behind lavatories | All 737 variants | Odors, noise, and frequent foot traffic |
Last 5-10 rows | All 737 variants | Longer boarding/deplaning, proximity to lavatories, engine noise |
Seats in front of galleys | All 737 variants | Crew movement and beverage service interruptions |
Southwest doesn't charge for seat selection - all seats are included with your ticket, making it genuinely cheaper than legacy carriers who charge $15 - $70 per flight for premium seats. However, you pay upfront for Early Bird Check-in ($15 - $25 per flight) or boarding position upgrades (A-List membership $69 - $199/year) if you want preferred seating like exit rows or front cabin positions. A round-trip domestic flight with Early Bird Check-in costs roughly $30 - $50 more than a basic ticket, versus United or American where a single exit row seat selection could hit $70+ each way. For most leisure travelers, skipping paid boarding and accepting your random assignment saves $60 - $100 per round-trip compared to legacy carriers charging for seat selection alone.
All Southwest 737 variants offer 31 inches of seat pitch (standard legroom) and approximately 17.2 inches of seat width - identical to competing 737 operators like Ryanair and comparable to American's basic economy on the same aircraft. Seat width feels adequate for average travelers, though the pitch is tighter than legacy carriers' economy (typically 31 - 32 inches) and noticeably cramped on 3+ hour flights. Standard tray tables accommodate 13-inch laptops but require the seat-back pocket to be cleared first; you'll struggle with 15-inch screens even in center seats. Exit row seats offer 31 - 38 inches of pitch depending on aircraft variant, making them worth seeking out for longer routes if boarding position allows.
Southwest 737s do not have seatback power outlets or USB ports in standard economy seats - you'll need a portable battery pack or charging cable that reaches an armrest outlet (available only on newer 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and availability is inconsistent). WiFi is available via Viasat (paid) or Southwest Rapid Rewards members receive it free; paid pass costs $7 one-flight or $70 monthly, with typical speeds of 5 - 15 Mbps (adequate for messaging and light browsing, not streaming). For any flight over 2 hours without airline WiFi access, bring a 20,000+ mAh battery pack - the lack of power is a genuine downside compared to American, United, or Alaska's newer aircraft. Expect 10 - 15% battery drain per hour on typical usage; download content before boarding if you need entertainment beyond seatback screens.
Southwest uses open seating (no assigned seats) with a tiered boarding system: A Group (positions A1 - A60) boards first, followed by B Group (B1 - B60), then C Group (C1 - C60), determined by check-in time and membership tier. Seats near the front cabin exit (rows 1 - 6) and over-wing exit rows (rows 15 - 17 on the 737-800, exact row varies by variant) empty fastest, but bulkhead and exit row seats are typically claimed by A Group members within seconds. For tight connections (under 45 minutes), request the gate agent assign you an aisle seat in rows 1 - 5 at check-in; rear-cabin passengers face 5 - 10 minute deplaning delays on full flights due to narrow aisles and single rear door. Front-door exit ensures you're among the first 30 passengers off versus rear-door (last 40+), cutting deplaning time by 5 - 7 minutes on a full 175-seat 737-800.
No, Southwest Airlines operates an all-economy cabin on all its Boeing 737 aircraft. However, the airline offers Extra Legroom seating as a premium economy-plus option with additional legroom.
Southwest allows passengers to select their seats at the gate during boarding rather than assigning seats in advance. Early boarding positions are assigned based on check-in time, allowing those who check in earliest to choose premium seats first.
The specific rows designated as Extra Legroom vary between the 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8. Check your booking confirmation or contact Southwest to identify Extra Legroom rows on your specific aircraft.
Extra Legroom seats and overwing exit rows provide the maximum legroom on Southwest's 737 aircraft, typically offering 38-40 inches of pitch compared to the standard 32 inches.
Southwest's 737 aircraft feature standard economy seat widths of approximately 17 inches, consistent across all variants.
Certain seats may have restrictions due to emergency exit locations. The middle seat of exit rows and some bulkhead seats may have specific usage limitations; Southwest will clarify these during boarding.
