United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 Seat Guide
Where to sit on United Airlines's Boeing 737 MAX 8: cabin layout, legroom, exit rows, and the seats experienced travelers pick or avoid.
About this aircraft
Boeing's fuel-efficient narrowbody successor to the 737-800, flown by American, United, Southwest, and Alaska. Seats 178 passengers with improved range and economy.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the updated successor to the 737-800, featuring LEAP engines, improved fuel efficiency, and a slightly longer range. The cabin interior is largely the same as the 737-800, so seat selection advice is nearly identical — exit rows and bulkheads win.
Cabin layout
| Cabin | Layout | Pitch | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| First/Business | 2-2 | 37–39 in | 20–21 in |
| Economy | 3-3 | 30–32 in | 17–18 in |
Typical figures for this aircraft type. United Airlines may operate more than one cabin version.
- Exit row aisle seats — most legroom, same overhead bin access
- Forward economy (rows 8–12) — noticeably quieter than rear, faster off
- Window rows over the wing — stable ride, good view of engine nacelles
- Exit row seats: Same logic as the 737-800 — exit rows offer 5–8 extra inches of legroom. Southwest 737 MAX 8 has no premium cabin, so exit rows are the only legroom upgrade available.
- Forward window seats (rows 1–10): Quieter than the rear of the plane, better overhead bin access (boarding is front-to-back on most carriers), and fastest deplaning.
- Bulkhead row economy (row 1 in economy section): Extra legroom and nobody reclining into you. No under-seat storage, but legroom is noticeably better.
- Last 3–4 rows — non-reclining, lavatory odors, loudest engine noise
- Row directly in front of exit row — seat back locked upright
- Rear rows (last 4): Non-reclining seats, proximity to lavatories and galley. Rear galley noise on short-haul flights is manageable, but on a 4+ hour flight it becomes significant.
- Middle seats throughout: 737 MAX 8 uses the same 3-3 layout as the 737-800. Middle seats offer no advantages — window gets views and wall, aisle gets freedom of movement. Middle gets nothing.
Exit rows
- Overwing exit rows (rows 16–18 on most configs, verify per airline)
Identical cabin width to the 737-800 but better fuel efficiency — look for airlines that refreshed interiors on their MAX fleet.
Tips before you pick a seat
- Southwest's 737 MAX 8 has open seating — no seat assignments. Get an 'A' boarding position by checking in exactly 24 hours before departure or paying for EarlyBird Check-In.
- United's 737 MAX 8 has their Economy Plus section (extra legroom) in addition to exit rows. Economy Plus is worth the upgrade on flights over 3 hours.
- The MAX 8's new overhead bins (from the 737 MAX interior redesign) are larger — carry-on space is less of an issue than on older 737s.
- The LEAP engines are significantly quieter inside the cabin compared to older 737 CFM56 engines. Rear seats are particularly improved.
United Airlines carry-on and bag rules
- Carry-on: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).
- Personal item: 17 × 13 × 8 in (43 × 33 × 20 cm).
- Checked bags: first bag $35, max 50 lb / 23 kg.
- Basic Economy allows carry-on only if purchased separately, otherwise personal item only.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats on the United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8?
For most travelers: Exit row aisle seats — most legroom, same overhead bin access; Forward economy (rows 8–12) — noticeably quieter than rear, faster off; Window rows over the wing — stable ride, good view of engine nacelles. Always confirm the exact row numbers on United Airlines's own seat map when you book, because configurations can change.
Which seats should I avoid on the United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8?
Last 3–4 rows — non-reclining, lavatory odors, loudest engine noise; Row directly in front of exit row — seat back locked upright.
How much legroom does economy have on the Boeing 737 MAX 8?
Typical economy seat pitch is 30–31 in (76–79 cm) and seat width is about 17.2 in (44 cm). United Airlines's exact figures may differ slightly by cabin version.
Does the Boeing 737 MAX 8 have Wi-Fi and power outlets?
Wi-Fi is commonly installed on this aircraft type, and power outlets are typically available. Availability depends on the specific plane United Airlines assigns to your flight.
What is United Airlines's carry-on size limit?
United Airlines allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Basic Economy allows carry-on only if purchased separately, otherwise personal item only.
More United Airlines seat guides
Seat layouts change when airlines refit their planes. Always check the seat map shown in United Airlines's booking page or app for your exact flight.