The South African Airways Boeing 737-800 seats 189 passengers across 1 cabin. Every row below is rated on legroom, location and distance from galleys and lavatories.
Verified by John McKeanLast verified 7 July 2026Single source
Avoid 2A, 2B, 2C (Near lavatory (ahead)); 12A, 12F (No window at this seat position — wall only); 15A, 15B, 15E, 15F (Seat may not fully recline — exit row behind requires clear path); 24A (Reduced window views — 1 plugged window nearby); 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 32F (Near lavatory (behind) — some queuing traffic and noise); 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D, 33E, 33F, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F (Immediately adjacent to lavatory (behind) — expect noise, odors, and queuing traffic)
The South African Airways Boeing 737-800 carries 189 passengers across Economy only. Every seat is rated below, so you can see which have the legroom, the window alignment and the quiet — and which sit next to a galley or lavatory.
The seats rated best on this map are 1C, 16C, 16D, 18A, 18B, 18C. Another 12 seats are rated best or good. Look for 18 extra-legroom seats for the most room.
Seats rated avoid on this map are 2A, 2B, 2C, 12A, 12F, 15A. Another 22 seats are rated avoid. These are usually the back rows near the galley and lavatories, or middle seats with no window or aisle.
No. This 737-800 is fitted as a single economy cabin from front to back, with no separate Business section. It flies the busier domestic and regional routes, so the seat choice is entirely about where you sit within the one class rather than which cabin to book.
The over-wing exit rows carry the most legroom on this 737. As with most narrowbodies, some exit-row seats have reduced or no recline, so if a reclining backrest matters to you, check the seat map before booking rather than assuming every exit seat is a clear upgrade.
A forward window is the practical pick. You board and leave first, sit away from the rear galley traffic and get a wall to lean on. On a short domestic hop the legroom difference at the back is minor, so being off the aircraft first tends to win out.
The rearmost rows sit next to the galley and lavatories, so they gather more noise, movement and queueing, and they are the last to clear on arrival. It is a small penalty on a short flight, but if you value a calm seat or have a connection, keep forward of the rear service area.
189Economy189Total
