You’re standing in the jet bridge. It’s humid, smells faintly of jet fuel, and you’re clutching a boarding pass with no seat number on it because, well, it’s Southwest. As you shuffle toward the cabin door, your mind isn't on the free pretzels. You’re looking at that narrow aisle and wondering if your hips are going to be at war with the armrests for the next four hours. Honestly, knowing exactly how wide are seats on southwest airlines can be the difference between a decent nap and a cramped nightmare.
Southwest is famous for its open seating and two free checked bags, but they are surprisingly consistent with their "hard product"—that’s airline-speak for the actual chair you sit in. Unlike some legacy carriers that have a dozen different seat widths across their fleet, Southwest keeps it pretty simple. But simple doesn't always mean spacious.
The Raw Numbers: Breaking Down the Width
Let's get straight to the tape measure. On the vast majority of Southwest flights, which are operated by Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft, the seat width is 17.8 inches.
That’s it. That is your workspace.
If you happen to find yourself on one of the older Boeing 737-700s, which are slowly being phased out or refurbished, you might feel a tighter squeeze. Those seats traditionally measured in at 17 inches flat. While 0.8 inches sounds like a negligible difference—the length of a paperclip, maybe—it is massive when you're wedged between a window and a stranger wearing a bulky sweater.
Why the 737 MAX 8 feels different
The newer MAX 8 planes aren't just quieter. Southwest worked with RECARO to design these slimline seats. Now, "slimline" usually makes travelers nervous because it implies less padding. While the padding is indeed thinner to save weight and space, the way the seat is sculpted actually carves out that extra fraction of an inch in width. You’ll notice the armrests are slightly thinner too. It’s a game of millimeters, basically.
Pitch vs. Width: The Great Comfort Deception
People often confuse seat width with seat pitch. Pitch is the distance from a point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front of it. It’s your legroom. Southwest is actually a bit of a hero here compared to the "ultra-low-cost" guys like Spirit or Frontier.
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On Southwest, you’re generally looking at a pitch of 32 inches on the MAX 8 and 737-800. On the older -700 series, it can vary between 31 and 32 inches. Compare that to the 28 or 29 inches you get on some budget competitors.
But here is the kicker: width is static. You can’t negotiate with the armrests. You can, however, negotiate with pitch by slouching or sticking your feet under the seat in front of you. This is why the width measurement matters so much more for "passengers of size" or anyone with broad shoulders. If the seat is 17.8 inches wide, and your shoulders are 20 inches across, you are going to be leaning into the aisle or your neighbor. It’s physics. It’s also kinda awkward.
The "Customer of Size" Policy: A Southwest Specific
You can't talk about Southwest seat width without mentioning their most famous, and sometimes controversial, policy. Southwest is one of the few airlines that proactively addresses the reality that a 17.8-inch seat doesn't fit every human body.
If a passenger's body extends past the footprint of the seat—specifically if they can't lower the armrests—Southwest allows them to purchase a second seat and then refund the cost of that seat after travel, even if the flight was sold out.
Most people don't know this.
They also allow you to just ask the gate agent for an extra seat for free if there's room, but the "pro move" is booking two up front to guarantee the space and getting the money back later. This effectively doubles your seat width. It’s a huge deal for comfort and dignity, honestly. It prevents that mid-air "armrest struggle" that ends up in viral videos.
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Comparing the Competition: Is Southwest Better?
Is 17.8 inches good? It depends on who you're flying with.
- JetBlue: They are the kings of the "standard" economy seat. Their A321 seats can hit 18.4 inches. You will feel that extra half-inch.
- Delta: On their 737s, you’re looking at about 17.3 inches. Southwest actually beats Delta here.
- United: Often hovers around 17.3 to 17.5 inches on similar Boeing narrow-body jets.
So, surprisingly, Southwest is actually on the "wider" end of the narrow-body spectrum. They aren't flying wide-body planes (like a Boeing 787 or Airbus A350) which sometimes have seats pushing 18.5 or 19 inches in economy, but for a domestic "bus in the sky," 17.8 inches is respectable.
The Middle Seat Reality
We have to talk about the middle seat. Since Southwest has no assigned seating, the middle seat is the "loser" of the boarding process. If you are in boarding group C, you are almost certainly ending up in a 17.8-inch middle seat.
Here is the secret: not all middle seats are created equal. On some airlines, the middle seat is actually built a tiny bit wider (like 18 inches) to compensate for the misery of being sandwiched. Southwest doesn't really do this. Every seat in the row is the same width.
If you’re worried about width, your goal is the Exit Row. On the 737-800 and MAX 8, the exit rows don't necessarily give you more width—sometimes they give you less because the armrests are solid metal to house the tray tables—but they give you infinite legroom in certain spots (specifically seat 16A or 16F on certain layouts where there is no seat in front).
Tips for Maximizing Your Space
If the 17.8 inches feels tight, there are a few things you can do that don't involve a gym membership or a prayer.
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- Board early: This is obvious, but it’s the only way to get an aisle seat. An aisle seat allows you to "spill" slightly into the aisle when the beverage cart isn't passing. It’s psychological, but it feels wider.
- Check the plane type: When booking on the Southwest website, click the flight number. It will tell you if it's a 737-700 or a MAX 8. Choose the MAX 8. The cabin feels brighter, the sidewalls are more sculpted, and the seats are that crucial fraction of an inch wider.
- The Armrest Rule: On Southwest, the unwritten social contract is that the person in the middle seat gets both armrests. If you’re in the middle, take them. It’s your only defense against the 17.8-inch limit.
What's Changing in 2025 and 2026?
Southwest is currently in a state of massive transition. They’ve announced they are moving away from open seating. By the time 2026 rolls around, you’ll likely be picking your seat in advance.
They are also introducing Extra Legroom sections. While these sections primarily focus on "pitch" (giving you more space for your knees), many airlines use these premium economy-lite sections to offer slightly better seat ergonomics. However, don't expect the actual width to change much. The fuselage of a Boeing 737 is a fixed metal tube. You can only make a seat so wide before the aisle disappears.
Final Verdict on Seat Width
Southwest is a solid "B+" when it comes to seat width. They aren't as cramped as the budget carriers, and they actually edge out some of the "Big Three" legacy airlines in the economy cabin.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Flight:
- Measure your favorite chair at home. If it's 18 inches and you feel tight in it, you need to prepare for the Southwest experience.
- Use the 24-hour check-in rule religiously. Set an alarm for 24 hours and 1 second before your flight. If you get an A-group boarding position, you can snag an aisle seat, which provides more shoulder room.
- Consider the "Customer of Size" policy. If you’re worried about fitting, don't be embarrassed. The policy is there to ensure everyone is comfortable. Buying that second seat and getting it refunded later is a logistical win for a long-haul domestic flight.
- Pack light in your personal item. If the seat is 17.8 inches wide, your footwell is equally narrow. Don't put a massive backpack under the seat in front of you, or you’ll be sitting in a "fetal position" width-wise and length-wise.
Southwest might be changing its seating model, but the physical chairs are staying largely the same for the foreseeable future. Know your numbers, pick your plane, and maybe don't wear your thickest denim jacket on the flight.