WestJet Boeing 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
Updated July 2026 · Verified seat-level data
WestJet's Boeing 737-800 is the workhorse of the Canadian carrier's narrowbody fleet — but "737-800" hides a real fleet lottery. You could be on the original Recaro cabin, an ex-Swoop 189-seat all-economy jet with no Business class, a one-off 2025 transitional frame, or a brand-new 2026 refit with upgraded Collins seats and Starlink WiFi. This guide breaks down all four configurations and gets you into the right seat on each.
✈️ Quick Verdict
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-800 |
| Fleet size | ~54 aircraft across four configurations |
| Main config | 12 Business + 162 Economy (174 seats) |
| Layout | 2-2 Business · 3-3 Economy |
| Version lottery | Yes — four different layouts, and it matters a lot |
| Best seats | Rows 13–14 (exit rows, 38″ pitch); Row 4 (bulkhead extra legroom); any Business row |
| Seats to avoid | Rows 29–30 (last rows, beside lavatory); Row 28 (lav traffic); Row 12 (limited recline) |
| IFE | Streamed to your own device (no seatback screens) |
| Power | AC power outlet + USB at every seat |
| WiFi | Starlink on newest jets, older Panasonic Ku on the rest |
The Version Lottery: Four Different 737-800s
This is the single most important thing to know before you pick a seat on WestJet's 737-800: the airplane on your booking is not one aircraft, it's up to four, and the differences run from "nicer WiFi" to "no Business class at all." All four say "Boeing 737-800" on the ticket.
| Config | Seat count | Cabins | WiFi | How common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 174 (12C / 162Y) | Business + Economy | Panasonic Ku (good) | Most common — the workhorse |
| Ex-Swoop | 189 (all Economy) | Economy only | Panasonic Ku (good) | Rare — 4 aircraft |
| 2025 transitional | 180 (12C / 168Y) | Business + Economy | Starlink (fast) | Very rare — 1 aircraft, being refitted |
| 2026 (newest) | 174 (12C / 162Y) | Business + Economy | Starlink (fast) | Growing — the new standard |
What each one means for you:
- Original (most likely): The bird you'll probably fly. Recaro seats, 12 recliner Business seats up front, standard Economy with a modest 2″ recline. WiFi is Panasonic Ku-band — fine for messaging and browsing, not great for video calls.
- Ex-Swoop 189-seater: Inherited from WestJet's shuttered ultra-low-cost brand. No Business class and jammed with 189 economy seats over rows 1–32 — the tightest 737-800 in the fleet. If you booked Business and get swapped onto this frame, you'll be re-accommodated; if you're in Economy, expect the least personal space of any WestJet 737.
- 2025 transitional (one aircraft): A single interim jet, 12 Business + 168 Economy, already getting refitted to match the 2026 layout. You're extremely unlikely to draw it, but if you do, you get Starlink WiFi.
- 2026 (newest, expanding): The new standard. Upgraded Collins Business seats with USB-C and an adjustable aisle armrest, and Starlink WiFi — fast enough for video calls and streaming. The catch is in Economy: the newest jets trade recline and rear-cabin pitch for a better front-cabin legroom band (more below).
The takeaway: if fast WiFi matters, you want a Starlink jet (2025/2026). If Economy comfort matters, the choice is more subtle — read the cabin section before assuming "newer is better."
Business Class (Rows 1–3) — 12 seats
Applies to the Original, 2025 and 2026 configs. The ex-Swoop 189-seater has no Business cabin.
WestJet Business on the 737-800 is a 2-2 domestic recliner cabin — three rows, twelve seats, laid out A-C on the left and D-F on the right (no B or E). Think wide leather recliner with a leg rest, not a lie-flat.
- Seat: Recliner/cradle style, ~20–21″ wide, 38″ pitch, 5″ recline, adjustable headrest, in-arm storage.
- Original config: Recaro CL4710 seats, 110V AC power, two USB-A ports, fixed armrests.
- 2026 config: Newer Collins Aerospace MiQ seats — same 38″ pitch but with a two-way adjustable aisle-side armrest, USB-C, and 120V AC. Width nudges up row by row (Row 1 ~20″, Row 2 ~20.5″, Row 3 ~21″).
✅ Best Business seats
- Row 3 (3A/3C/3D/3F) — no bulkhead in front, so you keep under-seat storage; on the 2026 jets these are also the widest Business seats (~21″).
- Row 2 (2A/2C/2D/2F) — mid-cabin, full under-seat storage, no bulkhead trade-off.
⚠️ Business seats to be aware of
Row 1 (1A/1C/1D/1F) — bulkhead row. You lose under-seat storage (bag goes in the bin for taxi/takeoff/landing). 1C sits behind a partial bulkhead with a little extra right-side legroom, but for most people Rows 2–3 are the better pick.
Every Business seat here is a good seat — the only real decision is Row 1's bulkhead trade-off.
Economy — 162 seats (Rows 4–30)
Layout is 3-3 throughout: A-B-C on the left, D-E-F on the right. Windows are A/F, aisles C/D, and B/E are the middles to avoid. This is where the version lottery gets subtle, because the Original and 2026 jets have noticeably different Economy cabins even though both show 162 seats.
Original config Economy — the more forgiving one
- Recline: 2″ at nearly every seat.
- Pitch: Row 4 bulkhead ~36″; rows 5–7 a roomy 34″; exit rows 13–14 at 38″; standard rows ~30–31″.
- Recaro BL3520 slimline seats, 110V AC + USB-A, adjustable headrest, adjustable armrests (except Row 4).
2026 config Economy — better up front, tighter in back
- Recline: None at most seats ("pre-reclined" fixed shells). Only rows 4–9 get a 3″ recline.
- Pitch: rows 4–9 a generous 34″ (a six-row comfort band), rows 10–12 at 30″, exit rows 13–14 at 38″, and rows 15–30 at a tight 29″.
- Newer Collins Meridian slimline seats, USB-A and USB-C, personal-device holder, adjustable headrest.
Why this matters: on the newest jets, the back two-thirds of Economy (rows 15–30) is 29″ with no recline — the tightest standard Economy in the fleet. But the front (rows 4–9) is genuinely roomy at 34″. On the older jets, comfort is spread more evenly and you keep a little recline everywhere. So "newer plane" does not automatically mean "more comfortable Economy seat" — it depends entirely on which end of the cabin you're sitting in.
Best Economy seats (all configs)
- Rows 13–14 — the sweet spot. Exit rows at 38″ pitch, the most legroom in Economy. Row 14 (14A–14F) is the top pick: extra legroom and it reclines normally. In Row 13, the aisle seats 13C/13D are the best (extra legroom, full function); the window and middle seats 13A/13B/13E/13F have extra legroom but limited/no recline because the exit row sits behind them.
- Row 4 — bulkhead extra legroom. More legroom than a standard row (36″ on original, 34″ on 2026). Trade-off: no under-seat storage (bulkhead wall in front) and fixed armrests.
- Rows 5–9 on the 2026 jets — not marked as premium, but at 34″ pitch they're quietly the best "standard" Economy seats on the newest aircraft. On original jets, rows 5–7 (34″) are the equivalent pick.
- Window seats (A/F) forward of Row 12 — quieter, earlier service, and you control the window shade.
Economy seats to avoid
- 🚫 Rows 29–30 — the worst seats on the plane. Last rows, immediately ahead of the rear lavatories; expect galley/lav noise, odors, queuing traffic, and reduced or no recline. Row 30 also backs onto the galley. Avoid the middles (29B/29E/30B/30E) above all.
- Row 28 — lav-adjacent. One row better than 29–30 but still catches queuing traffic and noise from the rear lavs.
- Row 12 — limited recline. Sits directly in front of the exit row, so seats 12A/12B/12E/12F may not fully recline (they need to keep the exit path clear). Fine for the legroom-indifferent, frustrating for nappers.
- All middle seats (B/E) — no version fixes a middle seat. Worst combinations are middles in rows 28–30.
Cabin Features by Version
| Feature | Original (174) | Ex-Swoop (189) | 2026 (174) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business cabin | Yes — 12 seats | None | Yes — 12 seats |
| Business seat | Recaro recliner | — | Collins MiQ recliner |
| Business power | 110V AC + USB-A | — | 120V AC + USB-C |
| Economy rows | 4–30 | 1–32 | 4–30 |
| Economy recline | ~2″ most seats | Minimal | None (rows 4–9 only) |
| Economy front pitch | 34″ (rows 5–7) | Tight throughout | 34″ (rows 4–9) |
| Economy rear pitch | ~30–31″ | Densest in fleet | 29″ (rows 15–30) |
| Exit rows | 13–14 (38″) | Varies | 13–14 (38″) |
| WiFi | Panasonic Ku (good) | Panasonic Ku (good) | Starlink (fast) |
| IFE | Streamed to device | Streamed to device | Streamed to device |
| USB-C | No (USB-A only) | USB-A | Yes |
Quick-Pick Summary
| Traveller | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo, legroom priority | 14A or 14F | Exit row, 38″ pitch, window, full recline |
| Solo, wants to work | Any seat on a Starlink (2026) jet | Fast WiFi for calls; grab rows 4–9 for pitch |
| Couple | 13C + 13D, or 14 A/B or E/F | Exit-row aisle pair, or window+middle together |
| Family (3 together) | Rows 5–9, one side (A-B-C or D-E-F) | Forward, quieter, better pitch on newer jets |
| Budget / shortest hop | Any forward window (A/F), rows 4–11 | Comfortable enough without paying for exit rows |
| Avoid at all costs | Rows 28–30, middles | Lav noise, traffic, little/no recline |
| Premium | Business Row 2 or 3 | Recliner, 38″ pitch, best storage |
How to Tell Which Version You're On
- Check the seat map at booking. A cabin showing 189 seats and no Business is the ex-Swoop frame. 174 seats with 12 Business is the Original or 2026 jet.
- Look for exit rows at 13–14 and a Business cabin at rows 1–3 — that's the standard 12C/162Y layout (Original or 2026).
- WiFi branding is the tell for newest jets. If WestJet's app or the aircraft advertises Starlink, you're on a 2025/2026 frame. Panasonic Ku means an older jet.
- Business seat clues (2026): USB-C ports and an adjustable aisle armrest in Business indicate the newest Collins MiQ cabin.
- Rear Economy pitch: if standard rows feel unusually tight with no recline, you're likely on a 2026 jet (29″ rear cabin).
- Aircraft can be swapped close to departure, so re-check your seat the day before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WestJet 737-800 have seatback screens?
No. All four configurations stream entertainment to your own phone, tablet or laptop — there are no seatback screens. Bring a device and a way to prop it up, and download the WestJet app before you fly. Every seat has a power outlet and USB.
Which seats have the most legroom in Economy?
The exit rows, 13 and 14, at 38″ pitch. Row 14 is best because it reclines normally; in Row 13 the aisle seats 13C/13D are the pick. Row 4 (bulkhead) and, on the newest jets, rows 4–9 (34″) are the next-best.
What's the difference between the Starlink and non-Starlink jets?
Starlink (on the 2025/2026 aircraft) is fast, low-latency satellite WiFi suitable for video calls and streaming. The older jets use Panasonic Ku-band — reliable for messaging, email and light browsing, but not ideal for video. If connectivity matters, look for a Starlink-equipped frame.
Why do two "162-seat" WestJet 737-800s feel different in Economy?
Because the Original and 2026 jets are configured differently despite the same seat count. Older jets give you about 2″ of recline everywhere and even ~30–31″ pitch. The newest jets have fixed (non-reclining) seats, a roomy 34″ band up front in rows 4–9, but a tight 29″ from rows 15 back. Front-cabin newer jets feel roomier; rear-cabin newer jets feel tighter.
Is there a WestJet 737-800 with no Business class?
Yes — a small number of ex-Swoop aircraft are all-economy with 189 seats over rows 1–32. It's the densest 737-800 in the fleet. If your booking shows 189 seats and no Business cabin, that's the one.
Which seats should I avoid?
Rows 29–30 (last rows, beside the rear lavatories and galley — noise, traffic, little or no recline), Row 28 (lav traffic), and Row 12 (limited recline because the exit row is directly behind it). And any middle seat (B or E).
Comparable Guides
- WestJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — WestJet's newer narrowbody
- WestJet 787-9 Dreamliner Seat Selection Guide — WestJet's widebody flagship
- Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — Canadian competitor
- Delta Boeing 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — same airframe, different cabin
- American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Seat Selection Guide (2026) — US competitor with same airframe