Southwest Airlines is one of the largest low-cost carriers in the United States, serving millions of passengers annually. If you’re planning to travel with Southwest, you might be wondering how many seats their planes have. In this article, we will explore this question and provide you with some insights into Southwest Airlines’ seating arrangements.
How many seats are there in a typical Southwest plane?
The number of seats in Southwest planes can vary depending on the aircraft type. However, the majority of Southwest’s fleet consists of Boeing 737 aircraft, which generally come with two seating configurations: the 737-700 and the 737-800. On average, the Boeing 737-700 typically has around 143 seats, while the 737-800 model has approximately 175 seats.
Are there any differences in seating arrangements between the two Boeing 737 models?
Yes, there are some minor differences in seating arrangements between the Boeing 737-700 and the 737-800 models. The 737-700 generally features three rows of seats in its first-class cabin with a 2-2 configuration, offering a total of 12 first-class seats. The remaining part of the aircraft offers a 3-3 configuration in the economy cabin, providing around 131 seats.
In contrast, the 737-800 model has a more spacious seating arrangement. It usually features six rows of first-class seats with a 2-2 configuration, totaling 24 first-class seats. The economy cabin also has a 3-3 configuration, offering approximately 151 seats.
Does Southwest Airlines offer any premium or extra-legroom seats?
While Southwest Airlines doesn’t have a designated premium-class cabin, they do offer an upgraded seating option called “Business Select.” Passengers who choose this option will receive some additional perks, such as priority boarding, priority security screening (where available), and extra Rapid Rewards points. However, the actual seating arrangement remains the same as the standard economy cabin.
As for extra-legroom seats, Southwest’s Boeing 737 aircraft generally have an emergency exit row or two where passengers can enjoy more legroom. These seats are often referred to as “Extra Comfort” seats and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, it’s worth noting that these seats do not come with any additional services or amenities.
Are there any variations in seating on Southwest’s other aircraft types?
While the majority of Southwest’s fleet consists of Boeing 737 aircraft, they do operate a small number of other aircraft types, such as the Boeing 717 and the Boeing 737 MAX. However, these aircraft have different seating capacities.
For instance, the Boeing 717 typically accommodates around 143 passengers, similar to the Boeing 737-700. On the other hand, the Boeing 737 MAX typically has a seating configuration that offers around 175 seats, similar to the 737-800 model.
Conclusion
In summary, Southwest Airlines’ seating arrangements vary depending on the aircraft type, with the Boeing 737-700 having around 143 seats and the 737-800 model accommodating approximately 175 seats. First-class cabins consist of either 12 or 24 seats, depending on the model, while the economy cabins generally offer a 3-3 configuration. Southwest also offers the Business Select option for passengers seeking additional perks. Although Southwest doesn’t have designated extra-legroom seats, passengers can find some extra legroom near emergency exit rows. Remember to check the specific aircraft type when making your reservation to have a better understanding of the seating capacity and configuration for your upcoming Southwest flight.