Originally Posted by
TTC192Rocket
I have 2A on an ET 788 and A350 in July.
On the newest configuration in the 788, is it "easy" to pass by and access the aisle while 2C is upright watching tv, reading, etc.? In other words, compared to the older Ottoman layout? I've flown LO 788 and TK77W who share that configuration, but have lucked out with an empty seat beside me each time.).
I have Star Gold status, but I'm not counting on a blocked seat in any way and hope to disturb him/her as little as possible. It is a 13 hr flight from ORD-ADD...
The seat block only applies for Economy Class, not for Cloud Nine in my experience.
The window seats in the "new" flat bed config can be pretty badly boxed in if the aisle seat is fully reclined. It is worse on the 788 than the 350 as the seat pairs are more angled towards the outside due to the narrower fuselage. It is ok in an upright config, but can still be a bit of an issue if the tray table is deployed.
On the bright side though, you are very unlikely to get the flat bed config on ORD-ADD - only 3 (out of 19 total) airframes with that config are likely to operate on that route (ET-ASG/ASH/ASI) so only 16% likelihood of getting one of those. The ET-AT* aircraft with the flat beds will not be deployed to the Americas except in special circumstances and with very low loads. You will almost certainly get one of the first generation ET-AO*/AR* aircraft which have the 160-degree flat seats rather than the flat beds. Those are IMHO more comfortable anyway and much easier to get in and out of.
Cloud Nine cabin (new config) on Boeing 787-8 (ET-ATK)