Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800 (154 seats) vs Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 (175 seats, all Economy)

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800 (154 seats)

154 seats: 9 good, 9 mixed, 12 to avoid

Best seats

• Row 1, seat A (Cloud Nine): front row of Cloud Nine, by the bassinet position and the front galley.
• Row 3, seat C (Cloud Nine): cloud Nine aisle seat in the middle of the small cabin, away from the front toilet and galley.
• Row 11, seat A (Economy): first Economy row, behind a wall, so nobody reclines into you.
• Row 17, seat A (Economy): exit row beside the overwing exits, drawn with extra space in front.

Seats to avoid

• Row 16, seat A (Economy): in front of the exit row, so recline is likely limited.
• Row 16, seats B, C, J, K and L (Economy): in front of the overwing exit row, so recline is likely limited
• Row 33, seats A and L (Economy): last row, against the rear toilets.
• Row 33, seats B, C, J and K (Economy): next to a lavatory, with queues, noise and flushing

Full seat map

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 (175 seats, all Economy)

175 seats: 43 good, 3 mixed, 0 to avoid

Best seats

• Rows 2–5 and 16, seats A, B, C, D, E and F (Economy): southwest-designated Extra Legroom seat. The additional seat pitch varies by aircraft; the airline’s five-inch figure specifically applies to the 737-700.
• Row 6, seats A, B and C (Economy): southwest-designated Extra Legroom seat. The additional seat pitch varies by aircraft; the airline’s five-inch figure specifically applies to the 737-700.
• Row 14, seats A, B, C, D, E and F (Economy): exit row with extra legroom
• Row 15, seats B, C, D and E (Economy): exit row with extra legroom

Seats to avoid

Full seat map