Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 Seat Selection Guide (2026)

Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 First Class seat

Alaska's Boeing 737 MAX 9 is the workhorse of their fleet, featuring the best domestic First Class legroom in the US at 41" pitch — 4" more than most competitors. With 80 aircraft and growing, this is the plane you'll likely fly on Hawaii, transcon, and major West Coast routes.

Updated January 2026: Retrofit in progress adding 6 Premium Class seats (24→30) across all 80 MAX 9s through summer 2026.

💡 Flying Southwest? Open seating ends January 27, 2026. See our Southwest 737 Seat Guide for the best seats on their 737-700, 737-800, and 737 MAX 8 fleet.

Quick Verdict

Cabin Configuration Pitch Width Best Seats
First Class 2-2 (16 seats) 41" 21.3" 2A, 2F, 3A, 3F
Premium Class 3-3 (24→30 seats) 34.5" 17" 7A, 7F, 8A, 8F
Economy 3-3 (127-138 seats) 30.5-32" 17" 17A, 17F
Exit Rows 3-3 (Rows 16-17) 37.5" 17" 17A, 17F

Version Identification

The 737 MAX 9 fleet is transitioning between two configurations:

Version Total Seats Premium Class Economy Status
V1 (Original) 178 24 (rows 6-9) 138 Being phased out
V2 (Refurbished) 173 30 (rows 6-10) 127 Rolling out 2025-2026

How to identify your version: Check the seat map when booking — count Premium Class rows. V1: Premium Class ends at row 9. V2: Premium Class extends to row 10.

First Class (16 Seats)

Alaska's First Class on the MAX 9 offers the most legroom in US domestic First Class at 41" pitch — 4" more than most competitors.

Seat Specifications

  • Seat: Recaro CL4710
  • Configuration: 2-2 across 4 rows
  • Pitch: 41" (best in US domestic)
  • Width: 21.3"
  • Recline: 5"
  • Features: Memory foam padding, footrest, cup holder, tablet holder
  • Power: AC outlet + USB-A at every seat

Best Seats in First Class

Top picks: 2A, 2F, 3A, 3F

  • Full legroom without bulkhead restrictions
  • Distance from galley noise at front
  • Underseat storage available
  • Optimal balance of service access and privacy

For couples: 2A/2C or 3D/3F pairs provide excellent side-by-side seating.

Seats to Avoid in First Class

Row 1 (1A, 1C, 1D, 1F):

  • Bulkhead position limits legroom variability
  • No underseat storage during takeoff/landing
  • Adjacent to forward galley — noise during service and boarding
  • Proximity to lavatory (left side)

Premium Class (24-30 Seats)

Premium Class is Alaska's extra-legroom economy product — not a separate cabin, but enhanced economy seats with priority boarding and better pitch.

Seat Specifications

  • Seat: Recaro BL3530 slimline
  • Configuration: 3-3 across 4-5 rows
  • Pitch: 34.5"
  • Width: 17"
  • Power: AC outlet + USB at every seat

Best Seats in Premium Class

Top picks: 7A, 7F, 8A, 8F

  • Full 34.5" pitch without bulkhead limitations
  • Good distance from First Class curtain
  • Easy lavatory access (rear of aircraft)

Seats to Avoid in Premium Class

Row 6 (all seats): Bulkhead with tray table in armrest (reduces width), no underseat storage, fixed armrests.

Premium Class Value

Premium Class costs ~$50-100 extra. Worth it for: Flights over 3 hours, travelers 5'10" or taller, anyone who values early boarding (Group B).

Economy Class (127-138 Seats)

Pitch Varies by Location

Rows Pitch Notes
10-15 31" Standard economy
16-17 37.5" Exit rows — best legroom
18-32 ABC (port) 32" Slightly better than starboard
18-34 DEF (starboard) 30.5" Tightest pitch

Key insight: The left side of the aircraft (A/B/C seats) has 1.5" more pitch than the right side (D/E/F) in the rear cabin. Choose port-side seats when possible.

Best Seats in Economy

Top pick: 17A, 17F (Exit Row Windows)

  • 37.5" pitch — equivalent to Premium Class on other airlines
  • Window seats provide wall to lean against
  • Full recline (unlike row 16)

Other good options: 17C/17D (exit row aisles), 18A/18B/18C (port side 32" pitch), 31A/31C (port side advantage).

Seats to Avoid in Economy

  • Row 15: Does not recline due to exit row behind
  • Row 16B/C/D/E: Exit row middles don't get full benefit
  • Rows 32-34: Last rows near lavatories
  • Seat 12A: Reportedly has no window or misaligned window

Fleet Overview

Alaska operates 80 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Key routes served:

  • Hawaii: Kona, Maui, Honolulu (5-6 hours)
  • Transcon: New York JFK, Newark, Boston, Washington DC (4.5-6 hours)
  • West Coast: San Diego, Phoenix, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles
  • Alaska: Anchorage (daily, up to 7x)
  • International: Costa Rica, Guatemala City

Cabin Features

  • Power: AC outlet + USB-A at every seat
  • IFE: No seatback screens — streaming only via Alaska app (800+ movies/shows)
  • WiFi: Gogo 2Ku, $8 full flight (free messaging, free for T-Mobile)
  • Interior: Boeing Sky Interior with LED lighting and Space Bins

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same plane that had the door plug incident?

Yes, the January 2024 incident occurred on an Alaska 737 MAX 9. All aircraft were inspected, the issue was identified as a manufacturing defect, and the fleet returned to service after Boeing implemented fixes.

Does the MAX 9 have lie-flat seats?

No. First Class has recliner seats with 41" pitch and 5" recline. For lie-flat beds, you'll need Alaska's 787-9.

Is Premium Class worth the upgrade?

For flights over 3 hours, generally yes. The 34.5" pitch makes a noticeable difference, and early boarding (Group B) helps secure bin space. Typical cost: $50-100.

Which side of the plane is better?

Port side (A/B/C) has slightly more pitch in the rear economy cabin (32" vs 30.5").

What's the best seat for sleeping?

First Class row 2-3 window (recline + wall). In economy, exit row 17 window offers enough legroom to stretch.

Summary: Best Seats by Traveler Type

Traveler First Class Premium Class Economy
Solo 2A, 3F 7A, 8F 17A, 17F
Couples 2A/2C, 3D/3F 7A/7B, 8E/8F 17A/17B, 17E/17F
Budget — — 18A, 19A (port side)

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