Southwest 737-700 vs MAX 8
Southwest started assigning seats in January 2026, so for the first time the plane you're booked on actually changes which seat you should grab. The 737-700 and the MAX 8 look similar but have different cabins, different windowless rows, and different exit-row setups. Here they are side by side, rated 1-10 from the live database. Both also come in a refreshed "Elevate" interior on some aircraft, which is scored separately.
737-700
137 seats rated
- 5A · Extra Legroom window, 35-36 inches legroom, the most generous legroom in Southwest's entire fleet. No power outlets. Bring a charger.
- 3F · Extra Legroom window with 35–36 inches of legroom. Right-side window. Same quality as the A-side. No power.
- 3A · Extra Legroom window, 35-36 inches legroom, the most generous legroom in Southwest's entire fleet. No power outlets. Bring a charger.
- 4A · Extra Legroom window, 35-36 inches legroom, the most generous legroom in Southwest's entire fleet. No power outlets. Bring a charger.
- 4F · Extra Legroom window with 35–36 inches of legroom. Right-side window. Same quality as the A-side. No power.
- 27B · Last row middle, the worst seat on the 737-700. No recline, near the rear lavatory, last to deplane, narrowest seats in the fleet.
- 27D · Last row aisle. No recline, near rear facilities, but aisle access lets you escape. Last to deplane. No power.
- 27C · Last row aisle. No recline, near rear facilities, but aisle access lets you escape. Last to deplane. No power.
- 27A · Last row window. No recline (inferred). Near rear lavatory and galley. Last to deplane. Window and wall to lean on. No power.
- 27E · Last row middle, the worst seat on the 737-700. No recline, near the rear lavatory, last to deplane, narrowest seats in the fleet.
Exit rows: 15
737 MAX 8
161 seats rated
- 14A · Exit row window with extra legroom. Armrest tray table.
- 14F · Exit row window with extra legroom. Armrest tray table.
- 16A · Best seat on the aircraft. No seat in front — open floor space ahead.
- 16F · Best seat on the aircraft. No seat in front — open floor space ahead.
- 3A 6/10 · Best Extra Legroom windows. No bulkhead trade-offs, full underseat storage.
- 30F · Last row window. Rear lavatories directly behind.
- 30E · Last row. Rear lavatories and galley directly behind.
- 30D · Last row. Rear lavatories and galley directly behind.
- 30C · Last row. Rear lavatories and galley directly behind.
- 30B · Last row. Rear lavatories and galley directly behind.
Exit rows: 14, 15, 16
What's actually different
Cabin size. The MAX 8 carries more seats than the 737-700, so it has more rows and a longer cabin. That mostly matters at the back, where the last few rows pick up the lavatory and galley penalties.
Windowless rows.Both planes have a few "window" seats with no actual window because of the air-conditioning ducting. The exact seats differ by aircraft, so check the lists above before you pick. If a view matters, avoid those specific seats.
Exit rows.Southwest's exit rows are the extra-legroom seats, but the first of a paired exit row usually can't recline because the row behind it is the actual exit. The rows are listed above per plane.
New to assigned seating? Our Southwest assigned-seating guide explains the Extra Legroom / Preferred / Standard tiers and how boarding works now.
Every seat above is rated 1-10 from the live database. Tap either plane for the full scored map and filter by window, aisle, or legroom. How we rate seats →