How to Choose the Best Seats on Alaska Airlines

Ready to book an upcoming flight on Alaska Airlines and want to ensure you get the best seat possible? Alaska offers all passengers - even those flying in main cabin - the ability to view a seat map and select a preferred seat assignment for free. Read on for everything you need to know about picking seats on Alaska, from their online seat selection process to tips for scoring seats with extra legroom.

When Can I Select My Alaska Airlines Seat?

The Alaska Airlines seat selection process allows you to pick seats either when initially booking your flight or afterwards by accessing your reservation.

During booking: When searching for flights on AlaskaAir.com or their mobile app, after selecting your outbound and return trips you will choose your seating right before payment. Simply click the “Select Seats” button on the passenger details page to access the seat map.

After booking: Anytime after you confirm your reservation, you can sign into your Alaska Airlines account online or their app to access your booking. Click “Select Seats” to pull up the seating chart and change your selections. You can continue switching seats for free whenever you’d like, even after ticketing.

No matter when you pick seats, be sure to complete online check-in as early as possible to give yourself dibs on any newly opened preferred seats. Alaska assigns these 24 hours before departure when check-in opens.

Tips for Getting the Best Alaska Airlines Seats

When selecting seats on Alaska, there are a few preferred locations to aim for to maximize comfort and perks:

Main Cabin Tips

Exit rows have the most legroom but avoid last exit row 39 which has no windows. Exit row seats have rules for use regarding ability to help in emergencies.
Bulkhead rows (row 6 on A320s for example) also provide extra space since no seat reclines into your area, but you can’t store a bag under the seat in front.
Rows 15-17 on A320 aircraft offer a few more inches of legroom. More on some 737s too. But limited recline and nearby bathrooms.
Window seats ensure no middle or aisle passenger to climb over. But aisle gives easier restroom access.

First Class Tips

Row 1 seats allow early on-off access, extra overhead storage space, and offer some additional legroom space.
Bulkhead Row 5 seats in first class have ample leg space thanks to retractable partition walls that open once airborne. But avoid center seats facing backwards.
Odd numbered window seats provide more privacy and no awkward eye contact with other passengers across the aisle.

What are Alaska's Rules Around Seat Selection?

Alaska wants all flyers to get the best seat they can. Here are the key things to know about their seat selection process and policies:

All passengers can select a preferred seat during booking or after for free. Even main cabin flyers get access to pick seats.
Only elite Mileage Plan MVP Gold and above can select extra legroom seats like exit rows for free in advance. All other flyers can only access them at airport check-in.
Families can call to request bulkhead seats or rows together, but they are only reserved at airport check-in based on availability.
First class complimentary upgrades won’t show you in a first class seat at booking. Be sure to check after ticketing to see if any opened up that you can grab.
Once you select a preferred seat, no worries if plans change - all seats can be changed later for free if you switch flights or rethink location.

Understanding Alaska’s Fleet and Cabins

To best pick your perfect seat on Alaska Airlines, it helps to know the layout and offerings of their Airbus and Boeing aircraft:

A320 Family

This narrowbody jet is used for most routes under 5 hours domestically. Choose from first and main cabin.

First class is 2x2 configured recliners with 36” pitch with recline, legrests and priority service. It's rows 1-4 plus bulkhead row 5 center seats.
Main cabin is 3x3 seats at 31-32” pitch plus exit rows with 6 more inches of legroom. Extra legroom in some forward rows too.

737-800/900

Alaska's workhorse for U.S. transcon routes seating 16 first class passengers and up to 164 in main cabin.

First offering 2x2 flatbed seats in pods with 55” pitch, again in rows 1-4 and bulkhead row 5 center section.
Main cabin configured 3x3 standard with 32-33" pitch plus exits/preferred with more space.

No matter which plane or cabin, double check measurements when selecting seats. Position yourself in just the right spot for your preferences and travel party size.