American CRJ-700 Seat Map & Best Seats (2026)
✈️ Quick Verdict
The American Eagle CRJ-700 (65 seats) is one jet flown by two operators that number the cabin differently. First is 1-2 (the A column is a solo seat) and Main is 2-2 — so there's no middle seat anywhere.
Best on the plane: solo First 2A / 3A. Best in Main: the front Main Cabin Extra row (row 4 SkyWest / row 8 PSA). Most legroom (~40″): the aisle seats in the deep Extra row (row 12 SkyWest / row 16 PSA). Avoid the last two rows by the rear lav and the non-reclining exit row (11 SkyWest / 15 PSA).
The CRJ-700 is a small Bombardier regional jet. The cabin is narrow with a low ceiling, the overhead bins are small, and most roller bags get gate-checked at the jet bridge (you collect them on the air-bridge on arrival) — so a seat near the front mainly buys you a faster exit, not bin space. There are no seatback screens on any of these jets; stream to your own device. The genuine upside: it's a 2-2 jet in Main and 1-2 in First, so there is no middle seat anywhere — every seat is a window or an aisle, and First even has a solo "A" column with no seat-mate.
The Operator Lottery: SkyWest vs PSA
American doesn't fly its own CRJ-700s — they're operated by two regional carriers, SkyWest and PSA Airlines, and the two number the identical cabin differently. The seats, pitch and layout are the same; only the row numbers and seat letters change. Use the tabs above the seat map to switch between the two.
| SkyWest | PSA | |
|---|---|---|
| First Class rows | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| Main Cabin rows | 4–17 | 8–21 |
| Seat letters | A · B | C · D | A · C | D · F |
| Front Extra-legroom row | Row 4 | Row 8 |
| Deep Extra row (~40″) | Row 12 | Row 16 |
| Non-reclining exit row | Row 11 | Row 15 |
| Last two rows (avoid) | Rows 16–17 | Rows 20–21 |
How to tell which operator you're on: if Main Cabin starts at row 4 (seats A·B·C·D), you're on SkyWest; if it starts at row 8 (seats A·C·D·F), you're on PSA. Match the seat-map on your booking to the right tab above.
First Class (rows 1–3, 1-2 layout)
Nine domestic First recliners at ~37″ pitch, ~20″ wide, with a generous ~6″ recline and 110V AC power. First is laid out 1-2 — a solo A seat on the left, a pair on the right.
✅ Best in First: the solo A seats in rows 2 and 3 — a window and the aisle in one, with no neighbour.
🚫 Be aware: Row 1 is the bulkhead — no under-seat storage (nothing at your feet for take-off and landing), though the aisle-side seat gets a touch of extra legroom.
Main Cabin & Main Cabin Extra (2-2 layout)
Standard Main Cabin is ~31″ pitch at ~17″ wide with 3″ recline. Main Cabin Extra is American's paid extra-legroom zone, and on the CRJ-700 it comes in two flavours.
✅ Best in Main:
- Front Extra row (row 4 SkyWest / row 8 PSA) — the first row of Main Cabin Extra at ~35″ pitch, right behind First, with quick on/off. This is the seat to pick.
- Deep Extra row aisle seats (row 12 SkyWest / row 16 PSA) — the most legroom in the cabin (~40″). Take the aisle seats here.
🚫 Seats to avoid:
- The non-reclining exit row (row 11 SkyWest / row 15 PSA) — good legroom, but it does not recline (it has to keep the exit path clear).
- The deep Extra row window seats (12A/12D SkyWest / 16A/16F PSA) — armrests are fixed and the window is misaligned (limited or no view). The aisle seats in this row are the sweet spot.
- The last two rows by the rear lavatory — rows 16–17 (SkyWest) / 20–21 (PSA). Noise, odor and queue traffic; the right-hand pair is worst (beside the lav door).
Quick-Pick Summary
| Traveller | Pick |
|---|---|
| Best seat on the plane | 2A / 3A (solo First) |
| Best Main Cabin seat | Front Extra row — row 4 (SkyWest) / row 8 (PSA) |
| Maximum legroom | Aisle in the deep Extra row — row 12 (SkyWest) / row 16 (PSA) |
| Couple | Any window-aisle pair (there's no middle to worry about) |
| Avoid | Last two rows (16–17 / 20–21); the exit row (11 / 15) if you like to recline |
Cabin Features
| First | Main Cabin | |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | ~37″ | ~31″ (MCE ~35″; deep Extra row ~40″) |
| Width | ~20″ | ~17″ |
| Recline | ~6″ | 3″ (none in the exit row) |
| Power | 110V AC (not guaranteed) | 110V AC (not guaranteed) |
| USB | None | None |
| Layout | 1-2 (solo A | pair) | 2-2 — no middle seat |
| Screens | None — BYOD | None — BYOD |
WiFi is Gogo air-to-ground, rated "Good" — fine for messaging and email, not reliable for streaming. Because power is 110V AC only (no USB) and "not guaranteed," bring a charging cable and a power bank for anything important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the American CRJ-700 have middle seats?
No. First is 1-2 and Main Cabin is 2-2, so every seat on the aircraft is a window or an aisle.
What are the best seats on the American CRJ-700?
The solo First seats 2A and 3A overall. In Main Cabin, the front Main Cabin Extra row (row 4 on SkyWest, row 8 on PSA); for maximum legroom, take an aisle in the deep Extra row (row 12 SkyWest / row 16 PSA).
Why are the row numbers different on my flight?
American's CRJ-700s are flown by two regional operators, SkyWest and PSA, which number the same cabin differently. SkyWest runs Main Cabin as rows 4–17; PSA runs it as rows 8–21. Match the seat-map on your booking to the correct tab above.
Which seats should I avoid?
The last two rows by the rear lavatory (16–17 on SkyWest, 20–21 on PSA), and the exit row (11 SkyWest / 15 PSA), which doesn't recline. In the deep Extra row, the window seats have a misaligned window.
Is there power, WiFi and entertainment?
There's 110V AC power at the seats, but no USB and it's "not guaranteed," so bring a cable and a power bank. WiFi is Gogo air-to-ground (rated "Good"). There are no seatback screens; stream to your own device.
Related Guides
- American Eagle Embraer 175 Seat Selection Guide — the larger Embraer regional
- Delta CRJ-700 Seat Selection Guide — the same jet at Delta
Published June 2026 by SeatCompare.ai. Seat configurations can vary by aircraft and operator. Always verify your exact seat map for your specific flight.