What is the best seat to choose on Boeing 737 800?

For me, the obvious choice is the very front seat, on the left side of the airplane. The view is awesome, your are in control, and the pay is also pretty good.



The "best" seat on a Boeing 737-800 in 2026 depends on your priority: legroom or quiet. For maximum legroom, the clear winners are the exit row seats in Rows 16 and 17; however, be aware that Row 16 seats often do not recline to avoid obstructing the path behind them. If you prefer a quiet and smooth ride, choose a seat as far forward in the cabin as possible, as engine noise is significantly lower ahead of the wings. For those seeking the best view, aim for a window seat in Rows 7–10 or 25–30 to avoid having your line of sight blocked by the massive wings. For 2026 "power travelers," a "pro-tip" is to avoid the very last row (typically Row 33 or 38 depending on configuration), as these seats have limited recline and are located directly next to the lavatories and galley, leading to constant foot traffic and noise throughout the flight.

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The 737–800 is the predecessor to the MAX line of 737s. I have flown the 737–800 for many years and I think it is very safe. It has all of the safety features of the latest aircraft and has been in production since 1997. The kinks in the design have been worked out and it is very, very reliable and safe.

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According to aviation specialist Doug Drury, the dreaded middle seat is statistically the safest if the plane goes down.

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The Boeing 737-800 is one of the most common aircraft in the world, and considered to be one of the safest. For comparison, all models of the Airbus A300, another popular commercial aircraft, have a marginally higher crash rate of 0.46 crashes per million flights.

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Well, it's all to do with space – one of those things we all crave so much while up in the air. “The plane's left side typically provides more headrest room than the right due to the location of the windows, so aim for the left side,” Radchenko explained.

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In most wide-bodied aircraft the best position is at the front of economy class or on the exit/bulkhead rows.

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The United Boeing 737-800 (738) has three different layouts. In Layout 1, it's in rows 11 and 12 where you would select a window seat and end up with a seat sans window. I can vouch for that — it was the Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 1 which got me good on that flight from Chicago to Phoenix. That damn pesky B738!

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Ultimately, the best seat will be inside the plane. 737-700 row 12 exit row, or 737-800 row 14 exit row. More leg room to stretch out.

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Rear section. The back of the plane is definitely the worst place to sit for travelers who hate turbulence since it's far from the plane's center of lift and gravity. This section can also be very loud since some planes have engines and auxiliary power units toward the back of the body that make a lot of noise.

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According to the study's findings, passengers in aisle seats had 64 contacts with other passengers during a flight, making it the greatest contact space. The middle seat came in with 58 contacts, and the window seat passengers had just 12. So, go ahead, claim that window seat.

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In general, window seats are preferred during night flights. You can sleep without being bothered by anyone wanting access to the aisle. Also, if you are flying economy you can always rest a pillow against the side of the plane. For long routes, night flights are ideal since you will be able to sleep.

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One would have a better chance of surviving a plane crash, if one is placed in the back of the plane. A statistical study, carried out on accidents that have occurred since the 1970s in the United States, says so (see diagram below). Logical: in case of impact, it is the front that takes everything...

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The middle seats are safer than the window or aisle seats, as you might expect, because of the buffer provided by having people on either side, professor Drury said to the Conversation. He noted that sitting next to an exit row can ensure a quick exit if there is an emergency, except in case if there is a fire.

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The Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts are returning to the skies. If there is an aircraft that you want to avoid it is this one. The 737MAX has been responsible for the deaths of 346 people in 2 separate plane accidents.

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The 737-800 is the best-selling variant of the 737NG and is the most widely used narrow-body aircraft. Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline, is among the largest operators of the Boeing 737-800, with a fleet of over 400 of the -800 variant serving routes across Europe, Middle East, and North Africa.

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American Airlines has 265 737-800 NGs in service, while Southwest Airlines has 205, United Airlines has 136 and Delta Air Lines has 77, according to Cirium. Boeing delivered nearly 5,000 of the planes to customers between 1998 and 2020, according to Boeing data.

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