Southwest Airlines: 737-700 vs 737-800 vs 737 MAX 8 — Which Plane Has the Best Seats? (2026)
The Three-Plane Fleet at a Glance
| Detail | 737-700 | 737-800 | 737 MAX 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total seats | 137 | 175 | 175 |
| Extra Legroom seats | ~40 | ~45 | ~45 |
| Extra Legroom pitch | 36–38" | 34–36" | 34–36" |
| Standard pitch | 31" | 31" | 31" |
| Seat width | ~17" | ~17.8" | ~17.8" |
| Seat model | B/E Innovator II | Mixed (retrofit underway) | Recaro R2 / Collins Meridian |
| USB charging | No (most) | Some aircraft | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (streaming) | Yes (streaming) | Yes (streaming) |
| Seatback IFE | No | No | No |
| Engines | CFM56 | CFM56 | LEAP-1B (quietest) |
| Row numbering | Rows skip 10–13 | Standard | Standard |
| Best single seat | 15A/15F | 16A/16F | 16A/16F |
| Fleet size | ~300+ (shrinking) | ~300+ | ~300+ (growing) |
Which Plane Do You Want?
737-700: Best Extra Legroom Pitch, Smallest Plane
The 737-700 is Southwest's oldest and smallest aircraft — 137 seats after losing one row to create the new Extra Legroom section. It has the most generous Extra Legroom pitch of any Southwest plane at up to 38" (vs 34–36" on the 737-800 and MAX 8). The trade-off: narrower seats (~17" vs 17.8"), older Innovator II seats with less padding, and most aircraft lack USB charging.
✅ Choose if: Extra Legroom is your priority and you've booked a Choice Extra fare or have A-List Preferred status.
⚠️ Skip if: You're in a Standard seat — the narrower width and older seats make it the least comfortable option in the back of the cabin.
737-800: Widest Seats, Mixed Interiors
The 737-800 is Southwest's workhorse with 175 seats and wider seats (~17.8") than the 737-700. The fleet is mid-retrofit: some aircraft have the newest Recaro R2 seats with USB charging and blue accent lighting, while others still have older Collins Meridian or Innovator II seats without power. There's no way to predict which interior you'll get.
✅ Choose if: You're in Standard or Preferred seating and want the widest seats. The interior lottery is a risk, but even the older 737-800 seats are wider than any 737-700 seat.
⚠️ Skip if: USB power is essential — you might get an aircraft without it.
⭐ 737 MAX 8: Newest, Quietest, Best Overall
The MAX 8 is Southwest's newest aircraft — same 175-seat layout as the 737-800 but with LEAP-1B engines that are noticeably quieter, plus USB A and C charging ports on all aircraft (or being retrofitted). The newest deliveries feature Recaro R2 seats with device holders, dual cupholders, and water bottle pockets in the seatback. Blue mood lighting and the Boeing Sky Interior make the cabin feel more modern.
✅ Choose if: You want the best overall Southwest experience. Quieter, better amenities, guaranteed USB power (on most), newest seats.
Extra Legroom: The Real Comparison
Southwest's Extra Legroom section is the new premium product. Here's how it works across all three aircraft:
737-700 Extra Legroom
| Rows | Pitch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Row 1 | ~36" | Bulkhead — armrest tray tables, no under-seat storage |
| Rows 2–6 | ~36" | Standard rows with extra pitch |
| Exit row 14 | ~36–38" | Over-wing exit |
| 15A/15F | Unlimited | No seat in front — most legroom on ANY Southwest plane |
The 737-700 skips rows 10–13, so the exit rows are numbered 14/15 (not 15/16 like the 737-800). Seat 15A has no seat in front of it due to the exit door — it's the single best seat in the Southwest fleet for legroom, with effectively unlimited knee space.
737-800 Extra Legroom
| Rows | Pitch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Row 1 | ~34–36" | Bulkhead — armrest tray tables |
| Rows 2–5 | ~34–36" | Standard rows with extra pitch |
| Exit rows 15/16 | ~34–36" | Over-wing exits |
| 16A/16F | Unlimited | No seat in front — same concept as 737-700's 15A |
Seats 16A and 16F on the 737-800 are the equivalent of 15A/15F on the 737-700 — exit row window seats with no seat directly in front, giving unlimited legroom. However, the pitch elsewhere in Extra Legroom is 34–36" vs the 737-700's 36–38", so the 737-700 wins on overall Extra Legroom generosity.
737 MAX 8 Extra Legroom
| Rows | Pitch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Row 1 | ~34–36" | Bulkhead — armrest tray tables |
| Rows 2–5 | ~34–36" | Standard rows with extra pitch |
| Exit rows 15/16 | ~34–36" | Over-wing exits |
| 16A/16F | Unlimited | Same layout as the 737-800 |
The MAX 8 layout mirrors the 737-800 — same row numbers, same legroom. The difference is the newer seats (Recaro R2 on latest deliveries) and USB power, making it the better experience in the same seat.
The Best Single Seat on Each Plane
For all three: 15F (737-700) or 16F (737-800/MAX 8) are the right-side equivalents, equally good for legroom but left-side deplanes first.
🚫 Seats to Avoid on Each Plane
All Three Aircraft
| Avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| Last row (varies by type) | Narrower seats, limited recline, near lavatories and galley. The worst seat on any Southwest flight. |
| Middle seats (B/E) | Standard 737 advice — 3-3 layout means middles are tight at 17–17.8" width. |
| Row 4 on 737-800/MAX 8 | Row 4B/4E have restricted recline on some aircraft due to exit row behind. |
737-700 Specifically
| Avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| Rows 7–9 | Directly before the skipped rows (10–13), placing them adjacent to the over-wing area. Not terrible, but less desirable than rows 2–6. |
737-800 Specifically
| Avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| 10A, 11A, 11F | Missing windows — you'll pay for a window seat and get a blank wall. |
MAX 8 Specifically
| Avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| No major unique issues | The MAX 8 has the fewest problem seats of any Southwest aircraft. No known missing-window rows. |
The Interior Lottery
Southwest is mid-transition across its fleet. You might encounter three different seat types:
| Seat Type | Found On | USB | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recaro R2 (newest) | New MAX 8, some 737-800 | Yes (A+C) | Slim, firm, device holder, blue accents |
| Collins Meridian | Older MAX 8, many 737-800 | Some | Standard, moderate padding |
| B/E Innovator II (oldest) | All 737-700, some 737-800 | No | Thicker, more padding but less legroom due to seat thickness |
The Recaro R2 is the best seat for features (USB, device holder, cupholders), but the Innovator II is arguably more padded. On flights under 3 hours, the difference is minimal. On 4+ hour Hawaii routes, the seat type matters more.
Extra Legroom Perks (All Aircraft)
Since January 2026, Extra Legroom seats come with more than just legroom:
- 🍸 Complimentary premium beverages (including alcohol)
- 🥜 Enhanced snacks (Wonderful pistachios — exclusive to Extra Legroom)
- 🎫 Priority boarding (no later than Group 2)
- 🧳 Earlier bin access (critical on full Southwest flights)
These perks are the same regardless of which 737 variant you're on.
How to Get the Plane You Want
You can't directly choose your aircraft when booking Southwest, but you can check:
- At booking: Southwest shows the aircraft type on the booking page — look for "Boeing 737-700," "Boeing 737-800," or "Boeing 737 MAX 8."
- Seat count tells all: 137 seats = 737-700. 175 seats = 737-800 or MAX 8.
- To distinguish 737-800 from MAX 8: Check the aircraft code in your reservation or on FlightAware. The MAX 8 code is "7M8" vs "738" for the 737-800.
⚠️ Aircraft swaps happen. Southwest frequently swaps aircraft types, especially during irregular operations. Your carefully chosen MAX 8 might become a 737-700.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Southwest plane is the best?
Overall, the 737 MAX 8 — newest seats, quietest engines, USB power, and the same 175-seat layout as the 737-800. For Extra Legroom specifically, the 737-700 offers more pitch (up to 38" vs 34–36").
Does Southwest have USB charging?
On the MAX 8: yes (USB A and C). On the 737-800: some aircraft (depends on retrofit status). On the 737-700: generally no.
Which Southwest plane is quietest?
The 737 MAX 8, by a noticeable margin. The LEAP-1B engines are significantly quieter than the CFM56 engines on the 737-700 and 737-800.
Are all Southwest planes the same inside?
No — three different seat types (Recaro R2, Collins Meridian, B/E Innovator II) are spread across the fleet. The MAX 8 tends to have the newest interiors.
What seat is 15A on Southwest?
On the 737-700, seat 15A is the best seat on the plane — an exit row window with no seat in front, giving unlimited legroom. On the 737-800 and MAX 8, the equivalent seat is 16A.
Which plane has the widest seats?
The 737-800 and MAX 8 both have ~17.8" seats. The 737-700 has narrower seats at ~17".
Does Southwest still have open seating?
No — Southwest switched to assigned seating on January 27, 2026. All seats are now assigned at booking or check-in.
Detailed Guides by Aircraft
For row-by-row seat recommendations, see our individual Southwest guides:
- ✈️ Southwest 737-700 Seat Selection Guide — 137 seats, Extra Legroom at 36–38" pitch, rows skip 10–13
- ✈️ Southwest 737-800 Seat Selection Guide — 175 seats, three seat zones, missing windows at 10A/11A/11F
- ✈️ Southwest 737 MAX 8 Seat Selection Guide — 175 seats, USB power, quietest Southwest plane
📋 New to Southwest's assigned seating?
- 📖 Southwest Assigned Seating: Frequent Flyer Guide — A-List perks, credit card benefits, status tips
- ❓ Southwest Assigned Seating: 10 Most Common Questions — Quick answers to the most-asked questions