dailynewsnblog
Although 
Alaska Airlines is expanding internationally and modernizing its fleet, the Boeing 737 remains at the center of its mainline operation. From the smaller 737-700 to the longer 737-900ER and 737 MAX 9, these aircraft handle a large share of the airline’s domestic and near-international flying. While the cabins may look similar at first glance, seat maps vary enough between variants that choosing the right row can make a noticeable difference in comfort, legroom, and even how quickly you get off the plane.
That is especially true in 2026, as Alaska continues operating a mix of older and updated 737 interiors across its fleet. Some aircraft offer standout exit row seats with no seat directly in front, while others have non-reclining rows that are worth avoiding. Looking at each Boeing 737 variant individually helps show where the best seats are in First Class, Premium Class, and coach, and which spots travelers may want to skip when booking.
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has long been one of the most recognizable carriers on the U.S. West Coast, building its reputation around a strong domestic network, customer loyalty, and a fleet centered on the Boeing 737 family. Based in Seattle, the airline has traditionally focused on connecting cities across the western United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Mexico and Central America, while using partnerships to extend its reach internationally.
In recent years, the airline has entered a new phase of growth. Alaska Air Group says it will serve 142 destinations in 2026, its largest network ever, while also building Seattle into a larger global gateway. The company has launched new long-haul flights from Seattle, including service to cities such as London and Rome on Boeing 787-9 aircraft, as part of a broader push into international markets.
Even with that international expansion, the Boeing 737 remains central to Alaska’s operation. The airline continues to grow and refresh its 737 fleet, including large 737 MAX orders and cabin updates that expand Premium and First Class seating. That makes the 737 MAX especially important for passengers, since it sits at the heart of Alaska’s short- and medium-haul network and will carry much of the airline’s domestic flying in 2026.
Boeing 737-700
Starting with the smallest mainline aircraft in Alaska Airlines’ fleet, the Boeing 737-700 remains an important part of the carrier’s domestic operation even as newer 737 MAX aircraft take on a growing share of flying. The 737-700 is part of Boeing’s Next Generation 737 family and entered service in the late 1990s as a modern replacement for the 737-300 and 737-500. Compared with later 737 variants, it is shorter and carries fewer passengers, which makes it useful on thinner routes where Alaska does not need the added capacity of a 737-800, 737-900ER, or 737 MAX. Alaska’s configuration includes 12 First Class seats, 18 Premium Class seats, and 94 seats in the main cabin, for a total of 124 passengers. The aircraft has a published range of 2,985 nautical miles and offers amenities such as WiFi, in-seat 110v power, and USB power.
In terms of seat selection, the best seats in the economy cabin are clearly 17A and 17F. Because of the exit-row configuration, these two window seats do not have a seat directly in front of them, giving passengers noticeably more legroom and a more open feel than standard economy seating. They stand out as the best value picks for travelers who want extra space without moving into a premium cabin. Rows 6, 7, and 8 are also strong options, as these are Alaska’s extra-legroom seats in the main cabin and offer a more comfortable ride for taller passengers or anyone wanting additional personal space on longer flights.
On the other hand, rows 15 and 16 are worth avoiding. Because they sit directly in front of the exit row, the seats in these rows do not recline, which can make them less comfortable, especially on longer sectors. For passengers prioritizing comfort, these rows are among the least desirable seats in the aircraft. As with many narrowbody cabins, the best strategy is to either secure an exit row seat with extra space or sit farther forward in the cabin to benefit from quicker boarding and deplaning.
How Alaska Airlines Is Reimagining Hawaiian’s First Class Dining
Alaska Airlines is reinventing Hawaiian’s First Class dining with a new executive chef, blending island flavors and premium strategy.
Boeing 737-800 & 737 MAX 8 (Pre-Retrofit)
The Boeing 737-800/ MAX 8 has long been one of the backbone aircraft in Alaska Airlines’ fleet, offering a step-up in capacity from the smaller 737-700 while remaining highly flexible for domestic and near-international flying. Like the 737-700, it is part of Boeing’s Next Generation 737 family, but the -800 adds a longer fuselage and more seats, making it better suited for busier routes where Alaska needs additional capacity. In Alaska’s pre-retrofit layout, the aircraft includes 12 First Class seats, 30 Premium Class seats, and 117 seats in the main cabin, for a total of 159 passengers. Passengers get the modern essentials expected on Alaska’s mainline fleet, including WiFi, in-seat 110v power, and USB power.
For seat selection, the strongest economy options are found in row 17, which is the preferred exit row on this configuration. These seats offer the most desirable combination of extra legroom and overall comfort in the main cabin, making them the best standard economy picks for passengers who want more space. Rows 6 through 10 are also attractive because they make up Alaska’s extra-legroom section, giving travelers more comfort and a noticeable improvement over standard coach seating, especially on longer flights.
The seats to avoid are rows 15 and 16, which do not recline because they are positioned directly in front of the exit row. While these rows may still be acceptable on short flights, they are not ideal for anyone prioritizing comfort, particularly on longer sectors where recline becomes more valuable. As with the 737-700, the best strategy on the pre-retrofit 737-800/ MAX 8 is to target the exit row or the forward extra-legroom rows, while steering clear of the non-reclining seats just ahead of the overwing exits.
Boeing 737-800 & 737 MAX 8 (Post-Retrofit)
Alaska Airlines’ retrofitted Boeing 737-800/ MAX 8 represents a meaningful cabin update compared with the earlier layout, most notably through a larger First Class cabin and some changes to the seat map. The aircraft now includes 16 First Class seats, 30 Premium Class seats, and 115 seats in the main cabin, for a total of 161 passengers. Like the rest of the airline’s 737 fleet, the aircraft offers WiFi, in-seat 110V power, and USB power throughout the cabin.
From a seat selection standpoint, the standout seats in economy are again the exit row window seats with no seat directly in front. On the post-retrofit 737-800/ MAX 8, 18A and 18F, the best seats for passengers who prioritize legroom are in the main cabin. With no seat ahead, these spots feel much more open than standard coach seats and offer one of the strongest economy experiences available on the aircraft. Rows 6 through 10 also remain attractive options, as they make up Alaska’s extra-legroom section and provide noticeably better comfort than standard economy seating.
The seats to avoid are rows 15, 16, and 17, which do not recline because of their position in front of the exit row. That makes this configuration slightly less favorable in the rows just ahead of the exits than the pre-retrofit layout, since an additional row is affected.
How To Get The Most Out Of Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards Loyalty Plan
Exploring the ins-and-outs of Alaska Airlines’ newly rebranded Atmos Rewards loyalty program.
The Boeing 737-900, 737-900ER, & 737 MAX 9
Alaska Airlines keeps things relatively simple across the Boeing 737-900, 737-900ER, and 737 MAX 9 by using the same overall cabin layout on all three aircraft. Each is configured with 16 First Class seats, 24 Premium Class seats, and 158 seats in the main cabin. Passengers can also expect the same core amenities across these jets, including WiFi, in-seat USB power, and 110V outlets. Even though the 737 MAX 9 is the newer aircraft and the 737-900ER is the enhanced version of the original -900, from a seat selection standpoint, they are effectively treated the same.
The best seats in the economy cabin are found in row 17, which is the preferred exit row on this layout. These seats offer the most legroom in standard economy and are the top choice for passengers who want extra space without moving into a premium cabin. Rows 6 through 9 are also strong options, as these are Alaska’s extra-legroom seats in the main cabin and provide a more comfortable experience than standard coach, especially on longer domestic flights.
The rows to avoid are 15 and 16, since those seats do not recline due to their position in front of the exit row. Because the aircraft itself is longer than the 737-700 or 737-800, another factor worth considering is deplaning time. Sitting farther forward can make a difference here, especially for travelers with tight connections or those who simply want to get off the aircraft more quickly after landing.
