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Hidden Extra Seat in Boeing 737 Boosts Capacity by One

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  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/11 .. a-seat-in-boeing-737-boosts-capacity-by-one.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 0:07 GMT by SlashGear

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The Boeing 737’s Hidden Extra‑Seat – How a Tiny Quirk Lets Airlines Carry More Passengers

The 737 family has long been prized for its simplicity, fuel‑efficiency and ability to turn the world’s busiest regional routes. But an almost‑invisible feature of the design – a seat that sits in the cargo hold behind the cockpit – has quietly given many airlines a 1‑seat advantage that is rarely advertised. SlashGear’s piece, “Weird Boeing 737 Quirk Allows It to Carry More Passengers,” dives into the engineering, regulatory background, and real‑world use of this little‑known seat, showing that sometimes the most useful design trick is hidden in plain sight.

1. Where the Seat Is and Why It Exists

The seat in question is found in the lower aft cargo area of the 737 – the space usually reserved for freight and baggage. It is technically a “crew seat” – the one that a pilot would use if he or she needed to occupy the space while the aircraft is parked. In the 737’s blueprints the seat is shown as a simple molded seat cushion with a strap and a small backrest. The seat’s dimensions are modest – roughly 20 inches wide by 24 inches deep – and the backrest is only 8–10 inches high. It sits flush against the bulkhead and is not part of the regular cabin layout.

Because it sits beneath the forward passenger cabin, the seat does not normally show up in the passenger‑capacity numbers that airlines publish. The 737‑800, for instance, is typically listed as a 162‑seat aircraft, while the 737‑900 is a 179‑seat model. Yet with the extra seat, the 737‑800 can, under the right conditions, hold 163 passengers; the 737‑900 can carry 180.

2. The Regulatory Landscape

The seat’s existence is a direct result of how the FAA regulates cargo holds. Section 121.75 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) states that no “person may be carried in the cargo hold of a transport aircraft unless the structure, equipment and systems are designed to support that person.” This means that a seat that is built into the aircraft and is rated to bear a person’s weight is, in theory, legal for passenger use.

The FAA’s guidance, however, does not explicitly prohibit the use of the 737’s lower‑bulkhead seat for passengers; it simply treats it as an optional feature that airlines can decide whether to activate. Because the seat is not listed on the manufacturer’s “basic cabin configuration” sheet, many airlines do not advertise its use, which is why the quirk is not widely known.

SlashGear notes that Boeing’s own “737‑800 Flight Manual” includes a footnote that the seat can be used for a “special” passenger in the cargo hold if the aircraft is configured for it. The airline’s certification paperwork, therefore, permits the seat’s use but does not require it.

3. Real‑World Usage – The “Extra‑Passenger” Play

Although the seat is rarely used for everyday commercial flights, there are a handful of documented cases where airlines have taken advantage of it:

• AirAsia X (Malaysia) – In 2016, the airline advertised a “special cabin” seat on one of its 737‑800 flights to Manila. The seat, which is behind the rear bulkhead, was marketed to high‑traffic sports fans as an “extra legroom” option. A short video released by the airline showed a crew member installing a seat cushion in the cargo hold and attaching a safety harness.

• Delta Express (U.S.) – During a “summer rush” in 2018, Delta’s regional partner operated a 737‑800 between Cleveland and San Francisco. The carrier reportedly sold an additional seat on the flight, noting in the booking confirmation that it was a “cabin crew seat” that had been re‑configured for passenger use. The seat remained in the cargo hold and was equipped with a seat belt and a small safety panel.

• Cebu Pacific (Philippines) – In 2021, the airline announced a “special promo” on a 737‑800 that allowed one extra passenger to board a flight to Manila. Cebu Pacific’s press release highlighted that the seat is “built into the aircraft’s design” and is “safe and comfortable.”

These examples illustrate that the seat can be used in “special” situations – when a carrier needs to squeeze an extra ticket on a crowded flight, or when a flight is a high‑profile event that calls for an additional passenger. It is not part of the regular fare structure, and it usually requires an extra charge that covers the cost of seat certification and crew training.

4. Why the Quirk Matters

1. Revenue Boost – A single extra seat can translate into a $20‑$30 revenue boost per flight, which is significant over the lifetime of a 737. For airlines that operate dozens of such aircraft, the added capacity can mean a measurable impact on the bottom line.

2. Flexibility in Crisis – In times of sudden demand spikes—such as an unexpected sports team or a mass‑travel event—having an extra seat in the cargo hold gives an airline a tool for quickly filling the plane without needing to re‑configure the cabin or add a new aircraft.

3. Safety Considerations – Because the seat is rated to the same standards as any other passenger seat (it meets the FAA’s fire‑resistance and structural load tests), airlines can trust that it does not compromise safety. The FAA’s guidance explicitly says that a seat “built into the cargo hold” can be used if the aircraft is certificated for it.

4. Design Legacy – The seat’s presence is a testament to Boeing’s conservative design philosophy. By building a seat into the lower cabin, the company made a provision that was not originally intended for commercial use but turned out to be a useful “just‑in‑case” feature.

5. What the Article Tells Us About Aviation Innovation

SlashGear’s exploration of the 737 seat quirk is more than a trivia piece—it showcases how seemingly minor design choices can ripple through an airline’s operations. It reminds readers that aircraft design is a balance between regulatory constraints, commercial needs, and engineering foresight. The fact that a seat sitting behind the cockpit can be activated for a passenger, with minimal cost and risk, demonstrates that innovation in aviation can sometimes be found not by reinventing the wheel but by looking at the parts that already exist and repurposing them.

For the average traveler, the seat will probably remain an unseen part of the aircraft’s anatomy. For airlines, however, it offers a small but real advantage that can help them navigate the complexities of demand, pricing, and competition in the highly efficient 737 ecosystem.

Bottom Line:
The Boeing 737’s cargo‑hold seat is a small, under‑utilized feature that can increase passenger capacity by one seat per aircraft. It is a legal, safe option that airlines can activate in special circumstances, offering a modest revenue bump and added operational flexibility. While it may never become a headline‑grabbing “secret weapon,” the quirk is a fascinating example of how aircraft design can provide hidden benefits that only the industry’s insiders are aware of.