Unlock Maximum Comfort: Your Ultimate Guide to Southwest Airlines Legroom
Are you tired of feeling like a sardine in a can when you fly? Do you dread long flights because your knees are perpetually pressed against the seat in front of you? If so, you're not alone! Many travelers prioritize legroom, and when it comes to Southwest Airlines, understanding their seating configuration is key to a more comfortable journey. In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into everything you need to know about Southwest's legroom, including their new initiatives, how to snag the best seats, and answers to your most pressing questions.
Ready to stretch out and enjoy your flight? Let's get started!
Step 1: Understanding Southwest's Standard Legroom
First things first, let's establish the baseline. What's the typical legroom like on Southwest Airlines?
A. Seat Pitch Explained: Legroom in the airline industry is primarily measured by "seat pitch." This isn't the amount of space your legs have, but rather the distance from a fixed point on one seat to the same point on the seat directly in front of it. It's a crucial metric for understanding how much space you'll have to stretch out.
B. Current Standard on Southwest: Historically, Southwest Airlines has offered a relatively consistent and respectable seat pitch across its all-Boeing 737 fleet. For a long time, the standard seat pitch on most of their aircraft (like the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8) was around 32 inches. On their smaller 737-700s, it was typically 31 inches. This was generally considered more generous than many other budget carriers and even some legacy airlines in their standard economy cabins.
Step 2: Navigating Southwest's Evolving Seating Options
Southwest is known for its unique open seating policy, which is undergoing some significant changes. This evolution directly impacts how you can secure more legroom.
A. The Shift to New Cabin Designs: Southwest Airlines has been rolling out new cabin designs and seating configurations across its fleet. This isn't just a cosmetic update; it directly affects seat pitch and the availability of different legroom options. The goal is to provide more choices for passengers and potentially generate additional revenue.
B. Introducing "Extra Legroom" and "Preferred" Seats: As of recent updates (with a gradual rollout throughout 2024 and 2025), Southwest is introducing different seating categories:
Extra Legroom Seats: These are the gems for those seeking more space. They boast a seat pitch of 34 inches, and on some aircraft, even up to a whopping 36 inches (particularly on older 737-700s that are being reconfigured). These seats are located at the very front of the cabin and near the exit rows.
Preferred Seats: These seats offer standard legroom (around 31 inches, as described below) but are located closer to the front of the aircraft, offering quicker deplaning.
Standard Seats: The majority of the seats in the back of the cabin will be classified as "Standard," offering around 31 inches of legroom. This means that while some seats are getting more legroom, the standard legroom on many aircraft (like the 737-800 and MAX 8) is actually decreasing slightly from the previous 32 inches to 31 inches to make way for the extra legroom sections.
Step 3: Identifying Aircraft Specifics for Optimal Legroom
Southwest operates a fleet primarily composed of Boeing 737 aircraft. The specific model can influence the available legroom.
A. Boeing 737-700 (73G):
Older models: Historically, these had 31 inches of seat pitch.
Newer configurations: These aircraft are being retrofitted to have a mix. Some sources indicate that the reconfigured 737-700s will have "Extra Legroom" seats with a generous 36 inches of pitch, while the rest will be 31 inches. These planes will also see a reduction in overall seat count, going from 143 to 137 passengers.
B. Boeing 737-800 (738) & 737 MAX 8 (7M8):
These aircraft make up the bulk of Southwest's fleet.
Newer configurations: Instead of the previous 32 inches across the board, these planes will feature "Extra Legroom" sections with 34 inches of pitch. The remaining "Standard" and "Preferred" seats will typically have 31 inches of pitch. Approximately 30-40% of seats on these aircraft will offer the increased legroom.
Step 4: Strategies for Securing More Legroom
With the new seating options and the continued open seating (for now, and then assigned seating later), here's how you can maximize your chances of getting that coveted extra space.
A. Understanding the Open Seating Policy (Current):
Southwest has historically operated on an open seating policy. This means there are no assigned seats when you book your ticket. Instead, you're assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a number (1-60) based on your check-in time.
Boarding Order is Key: The earlier you board, the more seat choices you'll have. This is paramount for snagging those prime legroom seats.
B. Boarding Strategies for Legroom:
Check-in Exactly 24 Hours Before Your Flight: This is the golden rule for getting a good boarding position. Set an alarm!
Purchase EarlyBird Check-In: If you don't want to rely on remembering to check in precisely at the 24-hour mark, EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you in prior to the 24-hour mark, giving you an earlier boarding position. It comes with a fee, but for legroom seekers, it can be well worth it.
Business Select Fares: If budget isn't a primary concern, Business Select fares come with the highly coveted A1-A15 boarding positions, guaranteeing you among the first to board and virtually ensuring your choice of any available seat, including bulkhead and exit rows.
Upgraded Boarding: If available, you can purchase an Upgraded Boarding position (A1-A15) at the gate or during check-in. This is a great last-minute option if you weren't able to get an early boarding pass otherwise.
A-List and A-List Preferred Status: Loyal Southwest flyers with A-List or A-List Preferred status automatically receive priority boarding and can even select Extra Legroom seats at booking (for A-List Preferred) or within 48 hours of departure (for A-List).
C. Targeting Specific Seats Onboard:
Bulkhead Rows (Row 1): These are the very first row of seats on the plane. There's no seat in front of them, offering significantly more legroom. However, be aware that tray tables are usually in the armrests, making them immovable. Also, carry-on bags must be stowed in the overhead bins during takeoff and landing.
Exit Rows: These rows (typically around Row 14 or 15 on a 737) also offer extended legroom because of emergency exit requirements. To sit here, you must meet certain criteria (e.g., be willing and able to assist in an emergency, be at least 15 years old, not traveling with a lap infant).
Seats Behind Exit Rows (Specific Aircraft): On some older 737-700s, there can be a window seat immediately behind the exit row that has no seat in front of it, providing an exceptional amount of legroom. These are highly sought after!
D. The Impact of Assigned Seating (Upcoming): It's crucial to note that Southwest is gradually moving towards an assigned seating model, with specific fare categories offering different seat selection benefits. While the open seating policy has been a hallmark, the airline aims to enhance the customer experience with more predictable seating. This means that how you secure extra legroom will evolve.
Choice Extra Fare: This new fare type (replacing Business Select) will include the ability to select an Extra Legroom seat at the time of booking.
Choice Fare: (Replacing Wanna Get Away Plus) This fare allows you to select a Standard seat at the time of booking.
Basic Fare: (Replacing Wanna Get Away) This is the most cost-effective option, but a Standard seat will be assigned at check-in.
Step 5: Consider Your Personal Comfort Needs
Beyond the numbers, your personal physique and travel habits play a big role in how much legroom feels like enough.
A. Your Height and Build: Obviously, taller individuals will benefit most from the extra legroom seats. If you're 6 feet or taller, those 34-36 inch pitch seats will make a noticeable difference. For shorter individuals, standard legroom might be perfectly adequate.
B. Recline vs. Fixed Seats: Keep in mind that while exit rows offer ample legroom, the seats in those rows (and sometimes the row directly in front of an exit row, or the very last row) often have limited or no recline. If reclining is important to your comfort, this is a trade-off to consider. Bulkhead seats typically recline.
C. Seat Width: While this post focuses on legroom (pitch), seat width also contributes to overall comfort. Southwest's seat width generally ranges from 15.5 to 17.8 inches depending on the aircraft and specific seat. This is fairly standard for economy cabins.
Step 6: What to Expect During the Transition Period
Since Southwest is in the process of retrofitting its aircraft and introducing new fare categories and seating assignments, there will be a transition period.
A. Mixed Fleet Experiences: You might fly on an older aircraft with the previous standard legroom, or a newly retrofitted one with the new "Extra Legroom" options. This means consistency might vary in the short term.
B. Check Southwest's Official Announcements: Always refer to Southwest Airlines' official website or app for the latest information on their seating policies and cabin configurations, especially as the assigned seating rollout continues.
Step 7: Final Tips for a More Comfortable Flight
Pack Smart: Utilize overhead bin space efficiently, especially if you're in a bulkhead or exit row, as under-seat storage is limited or prohibited during takeoff and landing.
Stretch and Move: Even with extra legroom, it's always a good idea to stand up, stretch, and move around the cabin when permitted, especially on longer flights, to promote circulation.
Communicate with Crew: If you have specific needs or concerns, politely speak with the flight attendants. They are there to assist you.
Related FAQ Questions:
How to find the seat pitch for a specific Southwest flight? Unfortunately, Southwest's website doesn't typically show seat pitch for individual flights when booking. You'll need to rely on general fleet information or sites like SeatGuru, which provide average pitch for different aircraft models.
How to get an exit row seat on Southwest? With the current open seating, you need to board early (A group) and choose an available exit row seat. When assigned seating fully rolls out, you'll likely need to purchase a fare type that allows selection of "Extra Legroom" seats, which include exit rows, or pay to upgrade at check-in/gate if available.
How to get a bulkhead seat on Southwest? Similar to exit rows, for current open seating, an early boarding position (A group) is crucial. With assigned seating, selecting an "Extra Legroom" seat through a qualifying fare or upgrade will likely be the way to go.
How to tell if my Southwest flight has the new seats with more legroom? Southwest is retrofitting planes gradually. There's no guaranteed way to know which specific aircraft you'll be on, but newer Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft are more likely to have the new configuration. Looking for "Extra Legroom" seat options when booking will be the clearest indicator once assigned seating is fully implemented.
How to purchase "Extra Legroom" seats on Southwest? Once the new assigned seating and fare classes are fully implemented, you'll be able to purchase "Extra Legroom" seats directly when booking your flight through qualifying fare types (like Choice Extra) or by upgrading your seat closer to departure, if available.
How to deal with limited recline in exit or last rows on Southwest? If you prioritize legroom over recline, these seats are great. If recline is important, avoid exit rows, the row directly in front of an exit row, and the very last row, as these often have restricted recline.
How to ensure I sit with my family on Southwest with the new changes? With the upcoming assigned seating, booking a fare that allows you to select seats at the time of booking (like Choice or Choice Extra) will be the best way to ensure your party sits together.
How to know if I qualify for an exit row seat on Southwest? To sit in an exit row, you must be 15 years or older, be able to understand and follow crew instructions, have sufficient mobility and strength to operate the exit, and be willing to assist in an emergency. You cannot be traveling with a lap infant or a pet.
How to check my boarding position for a Southwest flight? After checking in (either manually or via EarlyBird Check-In), your boarding group and number will be displayed on your boarding pass, which you can access via the Southwest app or by printing it out.
How to maximize legroom on a full Southwest flight? Even on a full flight, if you have an early boarding position (A group), you still have the best chance of securing a bulkhead or exit row seat. Otherwise, try to find a row where the middle seat remains open for as long as possible, or choose an aisle seat for a bit more stretch space.
