EgyptAir 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
✈️ Quick Verdict
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 — two layouts: 144 seats (24 Business, 120 Economy) or 154 seats (16 Business, 138 Economy)
Layout: Business 2-2 recliners (A C | H K) · Economy 3-3 (A B C | H J K)
Version lottery: Yes. The business cabin and the exit-row numbers both change between the two layouts.
Best seats: Business 8A, 8K · Economy 24B, 24C, 24H, 24J (144 seats) or 27B, 27C, 27H, 27J (154 seats): the second exit row, with legroom and normal recline
Seats to avoid: the first exit row (23 or 26) if you want to recline · the last two rows (38–39 or 41–42) · row 20 on the 154-seat jet
Wi-Fi: none recorded on either layout
The catch: two exit rows, and only one of them reclines
Both EgyptAir 737-800 layouts have two overwing exit rows back to back. Each has about 37in of seat pitch, roughly 6in more than a standard economy row. On a booking map they look the same. They are not.
The seats in the first exit row have limited recline, because the exit row behind them needs a clear path. Their window seats are also badly placed: the window sits ahead of the seat, so you have to lean forward to see out. The second exit row has the same legroom and reclines normally.
The row numbers change between the two layouts, because the 144-seat jet has two more business rows:
- 144-seat jet: exit rows 23 and 24. Take row 24. Row 23 (and row 22, in front of it) has limited recline.
- 154-seat jet: exit rows 26 and 27. Take row 27. Row 26 (and row 25) has limited recline.
There is a second trap at the bulkhead. On the 144-seat jet, row 20 has extra legroom. On the 154-seat jet, row 20 is tighter than a normal row: the wall is only about 20in away, and there is no floor storage. Same row number, opposite result.
Version lottery: 144 seats or 154 seats
EgyptAir flies the 737-800 in two cabin layouts. Same aircraft, same doors, different seats:
| 144 seats | 154 seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 24 seats, rows 8–14 (no row 13) | 16 seats, rows 8–11 |
| Economy | 120 seats, rows 20–39 | 138 seats, rows 20–42 |
| Exit rows | 23 and 24 | 26 and 27 |
| Exit row that reclines | 24 | 27 |
| Row 20 (bulkhead) | Extra legroom | About 20in to the wall, tighter than normal |
| Last two rows (lavatories behind) | 38–39 | 41–42 |
| Seats per economy lavatory | 60 | 69 |
The 144-seat layout is the more common one. The 154-seat layout gives up two business rows for three more economy rows, so its economy cabin is more crowded.
How to tell which version you are on
Open the seat map when you book or check in, and count the business rows:
- Six business rows (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14) and economy ending at row 39: the 144-seat jet. Pick row 24.
- Four business rows (8–11) and economy running to row 42: the 154-seat jet. Pick row 27.
If the map shows an economy row 40, 41 or 42, you are on the 154-seat jet. EgyptAir can swap aircraft close to departure, so check again at check-in.
Business (2-2 recliners)
Business on the 737-800 is a 2-2 cabin of recliner seats, not flat beds. Window seats are A and K; aisle seats are C and H. Half the seats have direct aisle access; from a window seat you step past your neighbour. One lavatory serves the cabin, at the very front, ahead of row 8.
Best Business seats
- 8A, 8K — front-row window seats with open floor ahead, so you can get up without climbing over your neighbour.
- 8C, 8H — front-row aisle seats with extra room ahead.
- 10A (154-seat jet) — the best-aligned window in that business cabin.
Row 8 is closest to the forward lavatory and galley, so expect some foot traffic there. On the 144-seat jet, the rear business rows (12 and 14) are furthest from both.
Economy (3-3)
Standard economy pitch is about 31in. The over-wing rows block most of the view down from the window seats: rows 20–27 on the 144-seat jet, and rows 24–30 on the 154-seat jet.
144-seat jet (rows 20–39)
Best economy seats
- 24B, 24C, 24H, 24J — second exit row: about 37in of pitch and normal recline. 24A and 24K have the same legroom but sit over the wing.
- 20A–20K — bulkhead with extra legroom. The tray folds out of the armrest and there is no floor storage, so the seat is slightly narrower and your bag goes overhead.
- 36A, 36K — behind the wing with two windows, and two rows clear of the rear lavatories.
Seats to avoid
- Row 23 — exit-row legroom, but limited recline. 23A and 23K have the window set ahead of the seat.
- Row 22 — ordinary legroom and limited recline.
- 29A, 29K, 31A, 31K, 33A, 33K — window set behind the seat.
- Rows 38–39 — directly in front of the two rear lavatories. Row 39 does not recline, and its middle and aisle seats are next to the galley.
- 37A, 37B, 37J, 37K — queue traffic for the lavatories.
154-seat jet (rows 20–42)
Best economy seats
- 27B, 27C, 27H, 27J — second exit row: about 37in of pitch and normal recline. 27A and 27K have the same legroom and two windows, but sit over the wing.
- 21A, 21K, 24A, 24K — forward window seats with a window beside you. 24A and 24K are over the wing.
- 39A, 39K — two windows, and two rows clear of the rear lavatories.
Seats to avoid
- Row 20 — a bulkhead with less legroom than a normal row (about 20in to the wall), no floor storage, and the tray and video screen in the armrest.
- Row 26 — exit-row legroom, but limited recline. 26A and 26K have the window set ahead of the seat.
- Row 25 — ordinary legroom and limited recline.
- 22A, 23A, 23K — window out of line with the seat.
- 32A, 32K, 34A, 34K, 36A, 36K — window set behind the seat.
- Rows 41–42 — directly in front of the two rear lavatories. Row 42 does not recline, and its middle and aisle seats are next to the galley.
- 40A, 40B, 40J, 40K — queue traffic for the lavatories.
Quick-pick summary
| You want | 144-seat jet | 154-seat jet |
|---|---|---|
| Most legroom in economy | 24B, 24C, 24H, 24J | 27B, 27C, 27H, 27J |
| Window seat with a view | 36A, 36K | 39A, 39K |
| Couple | 24B + 24C or 24H + 24J | 27B + 27C or 27H + 27J |
| Quick exit after landing | Row 20 (extra legroom) | Row 21 (row 20 is cramped) |
| Business, solo | 8A or 8K | 8A, 8K or 10A |
| Avoid | Rows 22–23 if you recline; rows 38–39 | Rows 25–26 if you recline; row 20; rows 41–42 |
Comparable guides
- EgyptAir A321neo seat guide — the other EgyptAir narrowbody on regional routes.
- EgyptAir 787-9 seat guide
- EgyptAir 777-300ER seat guide
- Ethiopian Airlines 737-800 seat guide
- Royal Jordanian A320neo seat guide
FAQ
How many seats does the EgyptAir 737-800 have?
Either 144 (24 Business, 120 Economy) or 154 (16 Business, 138 Economy), depending on the aircraft. Count the business rows on the seat map: six rows means 144 seats, four rows means 154.
Which EgyptAir 737-800 exit row is best?
The second one: row 24 on the 144-seat jet, row 27 on the 154-seat jet. Both exit rows have about 37in of pitch, but the first (row 23 or 26) has limited recline and badly placed windows.
Is EgyptAir 737-800 business class lie-flat?
No. Business is a 2-2 cabin of recliner seats, with 24 seats on the 144-seat jet and 16 on the 154-seat jet. For a flat bed on EgyptAir you need a widebody, such as the 787-9.
Is row 20 a good seat on the EgyptAir 737-800?
It depends on the layout. On the 144-seat jet, row 20 has extra legroom. On the 154-seat jet it has less than a normal row, with the wall about 20in away. In both, there is no floor storage and the tray folds out of the armrest.
Does the EgyptAir 737-800 have Wi-Fi?
No Wi-Fi is recorded on either layout. Plan to download entertainment before you fly.
Which seats should I avoid on the EgyptAir 737-800?
The last two rows (38–39 on the 144-seat jet, 41–42 on the 154-seat jet), which sit right in front of the lavatories; the first exit row if you want to recline; and row 20 on the 154-seat jet.