Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX 8 (160 seats) vs Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 (175 seats, all Economy)

Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX 8 (160 seats)

160 seats: 16 good, 12 mixed, 12 to avoid

Best seats

• Rows 2–4, seats A and F (Saga Premium): saga Premium window seat: wider seat with 40 inches of pitch, away from the front galley and lavatory.
• Rows 2–4, seats C and D (Saga Premium): saga Premium aisle seat: 40 inches of pitch and easy to get up without climbing past anyone.
• Row 13, seats A, C, D and F (Economy): exit row 13: extra legroom with full recline likely, but you must be willing and able to help in an emergency.

Seats to avoid

• Row 11, seats A, B, C, D, E and F (Economy): row in front of the overwing exits: recline is likely limited (Icelandair's drawing doesn't say), with no exit-row legroom of its own.
• Row 28, seats A, B, C, D, E and F (Economy): last row of the aircraft, against the rear lavatories Icelandair draws on both sides: recline is likely limited and the queue forms beside you.

Full seat map

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 (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