Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
Alaska's 737-800 is the workhorse of its fleet — 59 aircraft flying everything from Seattle–Maui to transcontinental routes. A major cabin retrofit is nearly complete that adds a fourth row of First Class, introduces new Recaro seats with footrests, and completely reshapes the exit-row area. The new configuration creates a big-legroom spot at 18A/18F — but with a real catch — while the genuine best exit row is row 16. Check your seat map carefully: you may get the old 12-seat First Class or the new 16-seat layout depending on your aircraft.
Quick Verdict
| Feature | Old Config (12F) | New Config (16F) ✈️ |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Being phased out | ~86% of 737 fleet retrofitted (Jan 2026) |
| Total seats | 159 | 161 |
| First Class | 12 seats, rows 1–3 | 16 seats, rows 1–4 |
| Premium Class | 30 seats, rows 6–10 | 30 seats, rows 6–10 |
| Economy | 117 seats, rows 11–32 | 115 seats, rows 11–33 |
| First Class seat | Recaro CL3710 recliner | Recaro CL4710 with footrest + calf rest |
| Exit rows | Rows 16–17 (full rows, 6 seats each) | Rows 15–18: row 16 is the best; row 17 has no window seats; 18A/18F = big legroom but poor window |
| Last row | Row 32 | Row 33 |
| Power | AC + USB | AC + USB-C |
Completion timeline: Alaska expects all 59 737-800s retrofitted by summer 2026. The first aircraft (N558AS) entered service August 2025.
How to Identify Your Configuration
On Alaska's website or app, when selecting seats during booking, count the rows of First Class (2-2 layout at the front):
- 3 rows of First Class (rows 1–3) → Old config (12F/159 seats)
- 4 rows of First Class (rows 1–4) → New config (16F/161 seats)
Exit row check: On the seat map, look at row 17:
- Row 17 has 6 seats (A–F) → Old config
- Row 17 has only 4 seats (B/C/D/E, no A or F) → New config
No version lottery risk: Unlike many widebody version lotteries, both Alaska 737-800 configs offer a good product — the new one is simply better. All seats on both versions have power outlets and streaming IFE.
First Class
Layout: 2-2 configuration (seats A, C | D, F — no middle seats)
| Config | Rows | Pitch | Width | Recline | Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old (12F) | 1–3 | 40" | 21" | 5" | Recaro CL3710 |
| New (16F) | 1–4 | 40" | 21.3" | 5" | Recaro CL4710 |
The new CL4710 seats are a genuine upgrade: memory foam padding, adjustable 6-way headrest with neck support, footrest, calf rest, seatback device holder, and USB-C charging. Alaska is the only US airline offering footrests in domestic First Class — a touch normally found in international Premium Economy.
Amenities: Complimentary food and beverage (hot meals on flights 1,100+ miles), free WiFi for MVP Gold and above, dedicated forward lavatory.
Best Seats in First Class
| Seat | Why |
|---|---|
| 2A, 2F | Window seats with optimal balance — away from Row 1 bulkhead restrictions and forward galley/lavatory noise, close enough for quick service. Best overall First Class picks. |
| 3A, 3F | Solid window seats. On old config, this is the last row of First — curtain behind. On new config, mid-cabin with one more row behind. |
| 4A, 4F (new config only) | Last row of First on new config. Fine seats but closest to the curtain divider — occasional foot traffic as Economy passengers use the forward lav. |
Seats to Avoid in First Class
| Seat | Why |
|---|---|
| Row 1 (all seats) | Bulkhead row: no under-seat storage during takeoff/landing. Forward lavatory and galley noise. 1A and 1F have entertainment equipment stored under the seat, reducing legroom and storage. |
| Row 1 aisle (1C, 1D) | Same bulkhead issues plus aisle-side exposure to galley traffic. |
First Class for Couples: Choose any row, seats A+C or D+F — the 2-2 layout means you'll be side by side with no middle seat between you. Rows 2 and 3 are the sweet spot.
Premium Class
Layout: 3-3 configuration (A/B/C | D/E/F), rows 6–10 on all configs
| Pitch | Width | Recline | Seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35" | 17" | 3" | Recaro BL3710 slimline |
Premium Class offers 5 extra inches of pitch over standard Economy — noticeable but not transformative. Free alcoholic drinks on flights over 350 miles. Priority boarding (Group C). Available as an upgrade for $15–$79 depending on flight length, or complimentary for MVP Gold 75K and above.
New config upgrade: Updated seats include seatback device holder with built-in cup holder, USB-C charging, and 6-way headrest with neck support.
Best Seats in Premium Class
| Seat | Why |
|---|---|
| 7A, 7F | Best Premium Class window seats. Full 35" pitch without Row 6 bulkhead drawbacks, and far enough forward to avoid exit-row-adjacent disruption. |
| 8A, 8F | Excellent windows. Same pitch, slightly further from the First Class curtain — less foot traffic from passengers heading to the forward lav. |
| 6A, 6F | Bulkhead row with extra legroom and no one reclining into you. Trade-off: tray table stored in armrest makes the seat narrower, and no under-seat storage during takeoff/landing. Good for tall passengers who prioritise legroom over width. |
Seats to Avoid in Premium Class
| Seat | Why |
|---|---|
| Row 6 (all seats) | Tray table in armrest reduces effective seat width. No under-seat storage during takeoff/landing. Curtain divider directly in front can feel enclosed. 6C and 6D are aisle seats where the lav queue often forms. |
| 10A | No window. Boeing places air conditioning riser ducts behind this panel. This is a genuine windowless window seat — not misaligned, completely blank. Confirmed on all Alaska 737-800s. |
| Row 10 (generally) | Last row of Premium — you're next to the Economy cabin with no buffer. |
| Rows 9–12 A/F | Misaligned windows throughout this section. You'll have a partial view at best. If a window view matters, stay in rows 7–8. |
Premium Class for Families: Rows 7–8 offer three seats per side (A/B/C or D/E/F) at 35" pitch. Book an entire side for a family of three with extra legroom.
Economy Class
Layout: 3-3 configuration
| Section | Rows | Pitch | Width | Recline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Economy | 11–15, 19–32/33 | 30–31" | 17" | 3" |
| Exit Row 16 | 16 | ~38" | 17" | None |
| Exit Row 17 (old config) | 17 (full row) | ~38" | 17" | None |
| Exit Row 17 (new config) | 17 (B/C/D/E only) | Limited | Narrower | None |
| Exit Row 18 (new config) | 18 | Varies | 17" | 3" |
No seatback IFE on any Alaska 737-800 — entertainment is streaming only to your personal device via the Alaska app. Bring a phone or tablet. All seats have AC power and USB (USB-C on new config).
Best Seats in Economy
| Seat | Why |
|---|---|
| 16A, 16F (new config) | 🏆 The best exit row on the new layout — all six seats get the extra legroom and 16A/16F are well-aligned windows. This is the seat to target. |
| 17A, 17F (old config only) | Classic exit-row window seats with ~38" pitch. Excellent legroom, no recline but worth the trade-off. Only available on un-retrofitted aircraft. |
| 18A, 18F (new config) | Big legroom (no seat directly in front, because row 17 has no A/F) — but the window here is poor and obstructed. A legroom-over-view pick, not the all-rounder it's sometimes billed as. Choose row 16 if you want a view too. |
| 22A/22F, 29A/29F | The best standard-price window seats — good window alignment, away from the exit and the rear. |
| 19A, 19F | First row behind the exit section — the row in front doesn't recline, so you keep your space at standard pitch. |
Seats to Avoid in Economy
| Seat | Why |
|---|---|
| Row 15 (all seats) | Does not recline — exit row directly behind. On a 5+ hour flight to Hawaii, this is painful. |
| Row 17 B/C/D/E (new config) | These are the only seats remaining in row 17. They are noticeably narrower than standard — roughly an armrest's width less. Fixed panel replaces window armrest, aisle armrest doesn't raise. No extra legroom despite being an exit row. Avoid. |
| Row 16 B/C/D/E | Exit row middle and aisle seats don't benefit from the extra legroom as much as windows. No under-seat storage and no recline. |
| 9A, 10A, 10F (new config) | No window — a Boeing HVAC riser duct sits behind the panel. A genuine windowless window seat, confirmed by Alaska's engineering. |
| 10A, 11A, 11F (old config) | No window on the pre-retrofit layout — same HVAC ducting behind the panel. |
| 9A, 22A, 26A (old config) | Poor/misaligned windows — partial view at best if a clear window matters. |
| Row 32/33 (last rows) | Proximity to three rear lavatories and aft galley. Noise, smells, foot traffic, and limited recline on the very last row. 32D is particularly bad — directly beside the lav queue. |
Economy for Couples: Rows 19–25 A+B or E+F give you a window-middle pair at standard pitch without exit row restrictions, behind the wing. There is no 2-2 option in Economy — it's 3-3 throughout.
Routes
Alaska's 737-800 operates across the domestic network and to Hawaii. Common routes include:
- Transcontinental: Seattle–JFK, Seattle–Boston, Seattle–Washington DCA
- Hawaii: Seattle–Honolulu, Seattle–Maui, Seattle–Kona, Portland–Honolulu, San Jose–Honolulu
- West Coast shuttle: Seattle–Los Angeles, Seattle–San Francisco, Seattle–San Diego
- Alaska routes: Seattle–Anchorage, Seattle–Fairbanks, Seattle–Juneau
- Cross-country: Various city pairs across the domestic network
The 737-800 is Alaska's most versatile narrowbody — it can appear on almost any domestic or Hawaii route. For Hawaii flights (5+ hours), seat selection matters significantly more.
Known Quirks & Practical Tips
No-window seats
New config: 9A, 10A, 10F. Old config: 10A, 11A, 11F. A Boeing HVAC duct sits behind these panels — confirmed by Alaska's engineering. Avoid if you want a view.
Misaligned windows
A handful of window seats (e.g. 9A, 22A, 26A on the old config) have frames that don't line up with the seat, leaving a partial view.
Row 6 tray table in armrest
Premium Class bulkhead row stores tray tables in armrests, reducing effective seat width by ~1 inch per side.
Row 6 lav queue
Alaska allows all passengers to use the forward lavatory. The queue frequently forms in the aisle at row 6, with strangers standing between 6C and 6D.
No seatback screens
All entertainment is streaming-only via Alaska's app to your personal device. Download content before boarding. WiFi currently $8/flight (Intelsat 2Ku).
Starlink WiFi coming
Starlink installations on 737s begin 2026, fleet-wide by 2027. Free for Atmos Rewards members (sponsored by T-Mobile). A major upgrade from current Intelsat.
Exit-row reshuffle (new config)
17A and 17F no longer exist — the space is clear for exit-door operation. Row 16 is now the best exit row; row 17 keeps only B/C/D/E with no window and no extra legroom.
18A/18F: legroom with a catch (new config)
With no seat directly in front, these get lots of legroom — but the window is poor and obstructed. Pick them for legroom, not the view; otherwise row 16 is the better buy.
Row numbering gap
No row 4 or 5 on old config (First ends at 3, Premium starts at 6). New config has row 4 in First but still no row 5.
Best Seats Summary Table
| Category | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best First Class | 2A, 2F | Window, away from bulkhead/galley noise, quick service |
| Best Premium Class | 7A, 7F | Full pitch, no bulkhead drawbacks, aligned windows |
| Best Economy (new config) | 16A, 16F | Best exit row — full extra legroom and a proper window |
| Best Economy (old config) | 17A, 17F | Classic exit-row windows, ~38" pitch |
| Most legroom, with a catch (new) | 18A, 18F | No seat in front, but a poor/obstructed window |
| Worst seats | Rows 32–33 (new) / 31–32 (old) | By the rear lavatories and aft galley |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alaska's 737-800 First Class lie-flat?
No. First Class is a domestic recliner with 40" pitch and 5" recline. The new Recaro CL4710 seats do include a footrest and calf rest, which improves sleep comfort significantly, but they are not lie-flat or even cradle-style seats.
How do I know if I'll get the old or new config?
Check the seat map when booking. If you see 4 rows of First Class (rows 1–4) and row 17 with only 4 seats, it's the new config. As of January 2026, roughly 86% of the 737 fleet is retrofitted — your odds of getting the new config are good and improving.
Is Premium Class worth the upgrade?
For flights under 3 hours, the 5" extra pitch is a nice-to-have but not essential. For Hawaii flights (5+ hours), Premium Class at 35" is noticeably more comfortable than 30" Economy — worth the $40–$79 upgrade. Free for MVP Gold 75K and above.
What about WiFi?
Currently Intelsat 2Ku satellite WiFi at $8/flight — adequate for browsing and messaging, can handle streaming on good days. Starlink is coming to 737s in 2026, which will be a significant speed improvement and will be free for Atmos Rewards members.
What's the best exit row seat on the new config?
Row 16 — all six seats have extra legroom and the windows are proper, so 16A/16F are the picks. 18A/18F have more raw legroom but a poor, obstructed window, and row 15 doesn't recline. On the old config, 17A and 17F are the classic exit-row windows.
Is 6A/6F a good seat?
It depends on your priority. You get extra legroom and a window, but the armrest-mounted tray table makes the seat narrower, there's no under-seat storage during takeoff/landing, and the forward lav queue can be intrusive. Best for tall passengers; avoid if you're broad-shouldered.
Comparable Aircraft
If you're comparing similar Alaska narrowbody experiences:
- Alaska Airlines 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Alaska's widebody with Adient Ascent Business Suites. 34J / 79W / 187Y for long-haul and Hawaii routes.
- American Airlines 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Direct competitor. Project Oasis config with 16 First, 30 MCE, 126 Economy.
- Delta 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Delta's refreshed cabins with 11" IFE screens in First. 20 First, 30 Comfort+.