American E170 Seat Map & Best Seats (2026)
✈️ Quick Verdict
The American Eagle Embraer 170 (65 seats) uses A-C-D-F lettering (no B/E), First is 1-2 (the A column is a solo seat) and Main is 2-2 — so there's no middle seat anywhere.
Its standout feature is a hidden legroom split: the left side A/C in rows 9–14 has ~35″ of pitch while the right-side D/F drops to ~29″. Best legroom without First is those left-side seats; row 8 is Main Cabin Extra; 2A/3A/4A (solo First) are the best on the plane. Avoid the rear (rows 20–21) and the tight right-side D/F.
The American E170 is the smaller sibling of the E175. Like the rest of AA's Embraer fleet, First is 1-2 and Main is 2-2 with A-C-D-F lettering — so there are no middle seats anywhere, and a "C" seat is an aisle. This guide covers the best and worst seats row by row, including the legroom quirk most travellers miss.
At a Glance
| Aircraft | Embraer 170 (American Eagle) |
| Configuration | 65 seats: 12 First, 53 Main Cabin (≈10 Main Cabin Extra) |
| Layout | First 1-2 (A is a solo seat); Main 2-2 — no middle seat anywhere. Seats lettered A-C-D-F (no B/E) |
| Best seats | Left-side A/C in rows 9–14 (~35″ legroom); row 8 (Main Cabin Extra); 2A/3A/4A (solo First) |
| Seats to avoid | Rows 20 & 21 (rear galley/lavatory); right-side D/F rows 11–20 (tight ~29″); 1D/1F (galley); 14F/15F (misaligned window) |
| In-seat power | AC power + USB at every seat |
| IFE | No seatback screens — stream to your own device |
| WiFi | Gogo air-to-ground, "Good" tier (messaging/email) |
The E170's Hidden Legroom Split
The American E170's standout feature is one almost nobody knows: the two sides of the cabin are not equal. Because of how the over-wing exits are staggered, the left side (seats A and C) in rows 9–14 has about 35″ of pitch — more than many domestic First seats — while the right side (D and F) in those rows is only ~29″. If you want the most legroom without paying for First or Main Cabin Extra, pick an A or C seat in rows 9–14.
First Class (rows 1–4, 1-2 layout)
Twelve recliners at ~37″ pitch, ~20″ wide, 5″ recline, with power. The solo A seats in rows 2, 3 and 4 are the best on the plane.
✅ Best in First: solo seats 2A / 3A / 4A (no seat-mate, window + aisle access).
🚫 Be aware: 1D and 1F are bulkhead seats by the forward galley (noise, light, no under-seat storage).
Main Cabin & Main Cabin Extra (rows 8–21)
Rows 5–7 don't exist (the cabin jumps from 4 to 8). Standard Main is ~29–31″ pitch with power throughout.
✅ Best in Main:
- Left side A/C, rows 9–14 — ~35″ pitch, the roomiest economy seats on the jet.
- Row 8 (Main Cabin Extra) — front of the cabin, extra legroom, fast on/off.
🚫 Seats to avoid:
- Rows 20 and 21 — the back of the cabin sits against the galley and lavatory (noise, traffic, odor). Row 21 has only one seat, 21D (the rest of that row is the lav/galley), and 21F is blocked — not for passengers.
- Right-side D/F, rows 11–20 — only ~29″ pitch; noticeably tighter than the A/C side.
- 14F and 15F also have a misaligned window (limited view).
Quick-Pick Summary
| Traveller | Pick |
|---|---|
| Most legroom without First | A or C seat, rows 9–14 (~35″) |
| Best seat on the plane | 2A / 3A (solo First) |
| Front-of-Main legroom | Row 8 (Main Cabin Extra) |
| Couple | A D/F pair toward the front |
| Avoid | Rows 20–21 (galley/lav); right-side D/F rows 11–20; 14F/15F |
Cabin Features
| First | Main Cabin | |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | ~37″ | ~29–31″ (left A/C rows 9–14 ~35″) |
| Width | ~20″ | ~18″ |
| Recline | 5″ | 3″ |
| Power | AC + USB | AC + USB |
| Layout | 1-2 (A | D F) | 2-2 (A C | D F) |
| Screens | None — BYOD | None — BYOD |
WiFi is Gogo air-to-ground, rated "Good" (messaging and email; don't count on streaming). Personal air vents at every seat.
How to Read the A-C-D-F Seat Letters
- A = left window (First: solo seat). C = left aisle (Main only).
- D = right aisle. F = right window.
- No B or E — there are no middle seats.
- Don't confuse the E170 with the larger Embraer 175 (76 seats) — the E175 has Viasat wifi and a different rear layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the American E170 have middle seats?
No. First is 1-2, Main is 2-2, and AA uses A-C-D-F lettering — every seat is a window or an aisle.
What are the best economy seats on the American E170?
A or C seats in rows 9–14 — the left side of the mid-cabin has about 35″ of pitch, far more than the right side. Row 8 (Main Cabin Extra) is also excellent.
Which seats should I avoid?
Rows 20 and 21 by the rear galley and lavatory (row 21 is a single seat, 21D; 21F is blocked), the tight right-side D/F seats in rows 11–20, and 14F/15F (misaligned window).
Why is the left side roomier than the right?
The over-wing exits are staggered, which stretches the pitch on the A/C side in rows 9–14 while compressing the D/F side. It's a genuine quirk of this aircraft.
Is there power and wifi?
Yes — AC power and USB at every seat, plus Gogo air-to-ground wifi (rated "Good"). No seatback screens; stream to your own device.
Why isn't there a row 5, 6 or 7?
American's numbering jumps from row 4 to row 8. No seats are missing.
Related Guides
- American Eagle Embraer 175 Seat Selection Guide — the larger Embraer
- Delta Embraer 175 Seat Selection Guide — the same family at Delta
Published June 2026 by SeatCompare.ai. Seat configurations can vary by aircraft and route. Always verify your exact seat map for your specific flight.