Airline seat guide
Alaska Airlinesseat guide: economy legroom, best seats & upgrades
Alaska Airlines economy seats pitch from 31" standard (rows 10–15); 37.5" exit rows 16–17 on narrowbody jets up to 31" standard; 37.5" exit rows on widebody routes. Exit rows often unlock more space for free. Here is exactly what to book — and what to skip.
How much legroom does Alaska Airlines economy have?
Every Alaska Airlines aircraft carries a slightly different economy layout. The table below shows pitch, width, seat configuration, and the routes each aircraft type flies most often.
| Aircraft | Economy pitch | Width | Layout | Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737 MAX 9 | 31" standard (rows 10–15); 37.5" exit rows 16–17 | 17" | 3-3 | Hawaii routes, major transcontinental (SEA-JFK, SEA-BOS), West Coast mainline |
| Boeing 737-900ER | 30–31" standard; ~38" exit rows | 17" | 3-3 | Transcontinental, Seattle hub to major US destinations, Alaska routes |
| Boeing 737-800 (retrofitted) | 30–31" standard; ~38" exit rows 16–17 | 17" | 3-3 | Seattle–Maui, medium-haul domestic, Pacific Coast corridors |
| Embraer E175 (Horizon Air) | 31" standard | 18.25" | 2-2 | Short-haul regional: Pacific Northwest, California, Mountain West smaller markets |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 31" standard; 37.5" exit rows | 17" | 3-3 | Medium domestic routes, West Coast, Southwest US |
Premium-cabin pitch varies by aircraft. See the upgrade section below for exact figures.
What are the best seats on Alaska Airlines?
On all 737 variants, exit rows 16–17 offer ~37.5\" of legroom at no extra charge for Main Cabin fares — the single best free-legroom option on Alaska. Book row 16A or 16F for a proper window plus full exit-row space. In Premium Class, rows 7–8 window seats (7A/7F, 8A/8F) give full 34.5\" pitch without bulkhead footrest restrictions. On the regional E175, the 2-2 layout means no middle seat in economy — any window seat is comfortable.
General rules that apply on any Alaska Airlines flight
- Exit rows — typically 4–8 extra inches of pitch with no seat in front. Often free to select at check-in even when they cost money at booking.
- Bulkhead rows — the most forward-cabin legroom, but tray tables live in the armrest and overhead bins may be pre-assigned to another cabin.
- Window seat for sleep — a wall to lean against and no one climbing past you. Rows near the middle of the plane minimize wing noise and turbulence.
Which Alaska Airlines seats should I avoid?
Rows 15–16 on 737 variants (rows directly ahead of the exit row): seats do not recline and are often cramped due to the exit-row door mechanism. Last 2–3 rows on 737s (rows 32–34 on MAX 9; rows 31–32 on 737-800): close proximity to rear lavatories and aft galley causes noise, foot traffic, and odor. Seat 12A on the 737 MAX 9 reportedly has a misaligned window. Middle seats throughout — the 3-3 layout has no center console padding on standard economy rows.
How to upgrade your Alaska Airlines seat
Alaska Airlines offers 2 cabin tiers above standard economy. Prices below are typical ranges — exact costs shift with route length, demand, and how far in advance you buy.
| Cabin / product | Pitch | Typical price | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Class | 34.5–35" | $15–$100 depending on route (purchasable at booking or up to 50 min before departure) | 4 extra inches of legroom vs. Main Cabin, Recaro leather seats, dedicated overhead bin space, priority boarding, complimentary snacks/drinks on many routes |
| First Class | 40–41" | $29–$199+ cash upgrade at 24 hrs out (distance-based); or ~15,000 miles + $25 for elite upgrade | 21" wide Recaro recliner seat, complimentary meals and full bar, priority boarding, 2 free checked bags, extra baggage allowance, dedicated overhead bin |
On most Alaska Airlinesroutes, upgrading at check-in or bidding through the airline's upgrade program costs less than buying at booking.
How much does seat selection cost on Alaska Airlines?
Main Cabin (standard economy): free seat selection at booking. Saver fare (basic economy): no advance seat selection — seat assigned at check-in. Saver passengers can pay approximately $5–$25 per direction to pre-select a standard seat before check-in.
Basic economy rule
Saver fare passengers cannot select seats at booking. Seats are assigned at check-in and the airline cannot guarantee travel companions will be seated together. Even MVP elite status holders must pay to pre-select a seat on Saver fares. The only free workaround is online check-in at T-24 hours to pick from whatever remains available.
Want the authoritative seat map for every Alaska Airlines aircraft? Check the Alaska Airlines fleet page on SeatGuru — interactive maps show every row, exit door, and window position so you know exactly what you are booking before you pay.
More Alaska Airlines guides
Seat specifications verified against Alaska Airlines fleet data and SeatGuru on .
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