Norwegian operates an all-economy Boeing 737 fleet with a standard 3-3 layout across both 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft. While seat pitch is modest at 29-31 inches, strategic seat selection can significantly improve your comfort level. Learn which seats offer extra legroom and which to avoid.
Norwegian's 737 fleet is all-economy with a 3-3 cabin layout. Exit rows 15-16 (737 MAX 8) and row 15 (737-800) offer the best extra legroom at ~38 inches. Avoid the last rows (31-32 depending on aircraft type) due to limited recline, and skip rows with missing windows on certain 737-800 aircraft.
Norwegian does not offer business class on its Boeing 737 aircraft. All passengers travel in economy configuration.
Norwegian's entire 737 fleet is configured as all-economy with a 3-3 seating layout (three seats on each side of the aisle). Standard economy pitch ranges from 29-31 inches on the 737-800 and 29-30 inches on the 737 MAX 8, which is relatively tight for long-haul flights. The seat width is 17.2 inches across both aircraft types. Exit row seats offer significantly more legroom at approximately 38 inches of pitch, making them highly desirable for taller passengers. However, exit row seats typically come with additional fees on Norwegian flights.
Seat | Aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|
Rows 15-16 | 737 MAX 8 | Exit row seats with maximum legroom (~38 inches) and full recline capability |
Row 15 | 737-800 | Exit row with extra legroom (~38 inches) and ability to recline fully |
Row 1 (Bulkhead) | Both | Extra legroom (~38 inches) without exit row restrictions, good for families with infants |
Seat | Aircraft | Why |
|---|---|---|
Row 32 | 737 MAX 8 | Last row with severely limited recline and proximity to lavatories |
Row 31 | 737-800 | Last row with no recline and close to engine noise/lavatories |
Row 15 | 737 MAX 8 | Exit row seats that do not recline despite extra legroom |
Seats 10A, 11A, 11F | 737-800 (some aircraft) | Missing windows on certain 737-800 variants, reducing natural light |
Norwegian charges €15 - 25 for seat selection on most routes, with premium economy (exit rows and front cabin) commanding €25 - 40 per flight. Front-row seats offer marginally more legroom (2 - 3 extra inches) but the price premium rarely justifies the upgrade unless you're 6'2" or taller or need aisle access for mobility reasons. A round-trip seat selection can easily add €50 - 80 to your fare, making Norwegian's headline prices misleading; budget carriers like Ryanair offer comparable or better base fares when you factor in their optional fees, and legacy carriers often include seat selection free, so compare total cost before booking.
Norwegian's 737-800 and MAX 8 both offer a cramped 29 - 31 inch pitch with 17.2 inch seat width - noticeably tighter than Lufthansa or KLM's 32 - 34 inch economy standard, and comparable to Ryanair's equally spartan 28 - 29 inch baseline. Slimline seats feel genuinely narrow on longer routes (beyond 3 hours), and the tray table is a flimsy lap-mounted design that barely accommodates a 13-inch laptop at an angle; larger screens will require you to fold it away entirely. Armrests are fixed, so you cannot steal extra width from adjacent seats, and the recline is minimal (2 - 3 inches), making multi-hour flights notably uncomfortable for anyone over 5'10".
Norwegian's 737s have zero USB power outlets or AC plugs; you must bring a full battery pack or power bank if your flight exceeds 4 hours. WiFi is not available on any 737 route - Norwegian does not offer in-flight connectivity on its short-haul fleet - so download content, maps, and offline reading beforehand. Bring a 20,000+ mAh power bank and fully charged devices; dead batteries are a real risk on transatlantic-length flights operated by 737s (rare but possible on positioning flights or longer charters).
Norwegian uses standard airline boarding (zones by ticket type), with front rows boarding first and rear rows last; seats near the front exit (rows 1 - 5) will deplane fastest and are ideal for tight connections, though you'll pay premium selection fees for them. Both front and rear doors are used for deplaning, but the front exit is typically faster since cabin crew prioritize that route; aisle seats anywhere in rows 1 - 10 will beat window seats in rows 15 - 32 regardless of door proximity. For a 45-minute connection, aim for rows 1 - 8 if budget permits; if not, choose an aisle seat in the economy cabin even if it's mid-fuselage, as the 3-3 layout deplanes reasonably quickly when both doors open.
Yes. Exit rows (15-16 on 737 MAX 8, row 15 on 737-800) and the bulkhead row (row 1) provide approximately 38 inches of pitch compared to the standard 29-31 inches. These seats typically require an additional fee.
Most economy seats recline, but exit row seats on the 737 MAX 8 do not recline. Standard economy recline is modest due to tight spacing.
Norwegian operates both the 737-800 and newer 737 MAX 8. The MAX 8 offers slightly better pitch (29-30 inches vs 29-31 inches) and has some seating differences, particularly in exit rows.
On some 737-800 aircraft, seats 10A, 11A, and 11F have missing windows. Check your specific aircraft configuration before booking if window seats are important to you.
All economy seats are 17.2 inches wide, which is standard for narrow-body aircraft. The 3-3 layout means middle seats have armrest access on both sides.
