Have you ever wondered how many people can actually fit onto a Southwest Airlines plane? It's a common question, especially given their unique open seating policy! Unlike most airlines that assign you a specific seat number, Southwest allows you to choose your seat as you board, meaning understanding the total capacity can influence your boarding strategy.
Southwest Airlines operates a single-cabin configuration across its entire fleet, which simplifies things. They exclusively fly Boeing 737 aircraft, but there are a few different variants, and each has a slightly different passenger capacity. Let's break it down!
Step 1: Identify the Aircraft Type for Your Flight
This is the first and most crucial step to determine the seating capacity. Southwest operates several versions of the Boeing 737. Do you know which one you're flying on? You can often find this information when you book your flight, on your confirmation email, or by looking up your flight details on the Southwest Airlines website or app. If you're at the airport, it might even be displayed on the gate information screen.
Why is this important? Because a 737-700 has a different number of seats than a 737-800 or a 737 MAX 8. Knowing your aircraft type is key to understanding the passenger count.
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| How Many Seats Are On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Understand Southwest's Primary Fleet and Their Seating Capacities
Southwest primarily operates three main types of Boeing 737 aircraft. Here's a breakdown of their passenger capacities:
Sub-heading 2.1: The Boeing 737-700
The Workhorse of the Fleet
The Boeing 737-700 has been a staple of Southwest's fleet for many years. These aircraft are configured to carry 143 passengers.
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Seat Pitch: On average, you'll find a seat pitch of approximately 31 inches on these aircraft.
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Seat Width: The seats typically range from 15.5 inches to 17.0 inches in width.
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Lavatories: There is typically one lavatory forward and one at the rear of the aircraft.
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
Sub-heading 2.2: The Boeing 737-800
The Roomier Option
The Boeing 737-800 offers a larger capacity compared to the -700. These aircraft are designed to accommodate 175 passengers.
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Seat Pitch: You'll generally experience a slightly more generous seat pitch of around 32 inches.
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Seat Width: Seat width is typically between 15.5 inches and 17.8 inches.
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Lavatories: These aircraft usually have one lavatory forward and two at the rear.
Sub-heading 2.3: The Boeing 737 MAX 8
The Modern Addition
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the newest addition to Southwest's fleet, and it also holds 175 passengers, similar to the 737-800.
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Seat Pitch: The average seat pitch is around 32 inches.
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Seat Width: Expect seat widths between 15.5 inches and 17.8 inches.
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Lavatories: Like the 737-800, these planes typically have one lavatory forward and two at the rear.
Step 3: Consider the Implications of Southwest's Open Seating
Southwest's unique boarding process, where seats are not assigned, means that while the total number of seats is fixed for each aircraft type, your personal experience with seating depends on your boarding position.
Sub-heading 3.1: Boarding Groups (A, B, C)
Your boarding pass will indicate your group (A, B, or C) and a number (1-60). Passengers in Group A board first, followed by B, then C.
Tip: Review key points when done.
Sub-heading 3.2: The "Best" Seats
Generally, passengers aiming for exit row seats (which offer more legroom) or window/aisle seats toward the front of the aircraft will want to secure an earlier boarding position. While there are fixed numbers of seats, the availability of desirable seats diminishes quickly with later boarding positions.
It's important to note: While Southwest is introducing some new "seat choices" like Extra Legroom and Preferred seats, the core principle of open seating for the majority of the cabin remains. These new options are more about what kind of seat you can select if you have certain fare types or A-List status, rather than a fundamental shift to assigned seating for everyone.
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Step 4: A Quick Recap of Southwest Airlines Seat Counts
To summarize the key information:
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Boeing 737-700: 143 seats
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Boeing 737-800: 175 seats
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Boeing 737 MAX 8: 175 seats
So, the next time you're flying Southwest, you'll have a good idea of how many fellow travelers you'll be sharing the cabin with!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find out the specific aircraft type for my Southwest flight?
You can usually find the aircraft type listed on your flight confirmation email, within your reservation details on the Southwest Airlines website or app, or sometimes on the departure board at the airport.
Tip: Reread sections you didn’t fully grasp.
How to get a better boarding position on Southwest Airlines?
To get a better boarding position, check in exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure time. You can also purchase EarlyBird Check-In (if available) or achieve A-List status through their Rapid Rewards program.
How to get an exit row seat on Southwest Airlines?
Exit row seats are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis during boarding. If you have an early boarding position (e.g., A group), you'll have a better chance of selecting an exit row seat. Be aware that you must meet certain federal safety requirements to sit in an exit row.
How to know if my Southwest flight has Wi-Fi or power outlets?
Most Southwest 737-800s and 737 MAX 8s are equipped with Wi-Fi. While older 737-700s may not have power outlets, newer 737 MAX aircraft are being delivered with USB-A and USB-C ports. You can usually check the amenities listed for your specific flight on the Southwest app or website.
How to choose a specific seat on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest operates on an open seating policy, meaning you don't choose a specific seat number in advance. Your boarding position determines when you board and thus, which available seat you can select.
Tip: Highlight what feels important.
How to determine if my Southwest flight will be full?
While you can't know the exact number of passengers until boarding, a rough indicator might be the number of available seats remaining when you book your flight, or by observing how many people are in the A boarding group. High A group numbers often suggest a fuller flight.
How to get more legroom on Southwest Airlines?
To get more legroom, aim for an exit row seat (if you meet the requirements) or a bulkhead seat (the very front row of the cabin). Having an early boarding position increases your chances of securing these seats. Southwest is also introducing "Extra Legroom" seats as a purchasable option or a benefit for certain fare classes/elite status.
How to ensure my family sits together on Southwest Airlines?
With open seating, the best way to ensure your family sits together is to have an early boarding position. Families traveling with young children (typically six years and under) often have an opportunity to board during "Family Boarding," between the A and B groups, which can help.
How to understand seat pitch and width on Southwest flights?
Seat pitch is the distance from a point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front of or behind it, indicating legroom. Seat width is the measurement across the seat itself. These dimensions vary slightly by aircraft type, as detailed above (e.g., 737-700 vs. 737-800/MAX 8).
How to find detailed seat maps for Southwest Airlines aircraft?
While Southwest doesn't have traditional assigned seat maps, you can find general cabin layouts and information on sites like SeatGuru or AeroLOPA by searching for "Southwest Boeing 737-700 seat map" or "Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8 seat map." These sites provide visual representations of the cabin, including exit row locations and lavatory positions.
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