I just did Washington return, in Y with the extra payment both ways for exit row, at the window. I've somehow dodged the 787 since introduction. Did the outward on the A380, and that was fine and pleasant. Boarding the 787 on the return, even as you come to the back of the PE cabin and look at the start of Y, you can see how much narrower the seats are. Sit in there, guy sits next to me, absolute squash, to the extent that I could not really move. And I'm not that big. Poor middle seat guy, of course, had this on both sides. It was a real challenge to get the video screen, or the tray table, out and back again. This all night long. Having the window indentation alongside doesn't help, because the seat is positioned so your shoulders align with the cabin wall, not a window.

Next day I'm actually checking my upper arm for bruises, as I can still feel it.

Now I'm aware that the 787 was designed for 8-across, and was reseated after introduction to 9-across, but it really is a step too far. No more 787 for me on long haul.