sbiddle

Any reason why you didn't just lift the ottoman off, or ask the crew if you don't know how to do this?

edmm

My wife is "tall" like you, and I'm not much more, and we are both small otherwise. Being short has its own issues, and not all seats are comfortable for shorter people.
In the last couple of years I've done long-haul or TT in all the NZ J seats, SQ A380, 777-300, and A350 (MEL-WLG), QF A330 and OS "Throne seat" (and LX version of the same). I've also flown the current Lufthansa seat. They all have their pluses and minuses. The OS seat has lots of space to put things, but is very hard. I do like the various SQ seats for sitting and privacy, as well as space. They are not as comfortable sleeping, but adequate.
I find the NZ seats comfortable for sitting and sleeping, probably the best, particularly the 777, but really don't like the 787 version of it for every other reason. It is cramped, not private, the table is smaller and the drink tray is in the wrong place. There is very little space to put things and the window is too far behind you.
So I am perfectly happy to fly on the NZ 777's for years to come, but actively try and avoid the 787 where possible because of the seat.

West45

The best thing about it for me has nothing to do with the seat - it's the mattress they give you. For me, a newer seat design that's more comfortable for sitting, along with the mattress would be best of both worlds.

kiwifrequentflyer

Yeah, it's the mattress and ridiculously good pillows that does it, rather than the design. I sorely missed it on their leased EVA planes. I was so disappointed that they didn't have them, or at least, I wasn't aware that they did. Never again will I fly them!

flykiwifly

Agree - hate those leased Eva planes and after doing it once never again after ended up with v sore back
Did my first ever TT on the 789 and found it v narrow and cramped in business, never done an overnight
Almost always on the AKL-LAX-LHR route

Chessboxin

Whilst the NZ bed is exceedingly comfortable I do find it a bit of a tight squeeze around the shoulders.

Unlike most I don't find the SQ bed too hard so that is my favoured seat given the extra room and the fact that you don't see everybody's head & feet.

Generally it boils down to convenience as to who I fly with between SQ & NZ because I still enjoy the NZ seat.

SeaProf

I first did the 787 overnight in September between LAX and RAR. It did feel very cramped. However, I did like being on the left side, although with the lower "seat walls" there was definitely less privacy.

kiwifrequentflyer

I did notice on my recent flight on it that the seat was a bit more narrow. Because I am little I still prefer it as I get less jetlag on those planes than the 777s and they are quieter.

samjnz

Wait, what?! That’s a thing?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone do this

kiwifrequentflyer

Yeah, a lot of people don't realize you can. But it is an option! Try it next time 😁

sbiddle

I'd say I notice it off on at least a single seat on probably 50% of flights but unless you're looking out for it you probably wouldn't notice.

I've seen crew proactively ask quite a few pax over the years if they want it removed while making the bed.

AviationNZ

I figured it out by accident when I pushed against the ottoman a little too hard and the end popped off. Made for a great sleep though and after speaking with the crew, I now know it's completely OK to ask too.

samjnz

Wow! This is a game changer!
Do they just put it in the overhead locker?

I guess it’s like the “chose your own recline position” thing for takeoff that they no longer advertise.

LyingFlat

Ditto. Now I ask for it to be removed on every flight

mad_atta

Totally agree. I've flown all but the last two on your list, and would add to that the current longhaul J products of ANA, Asiana, Malaysian, Cathay, Oman Air, United, Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish, Malaysian... and NZ wins for sleep comfort (if not privacy). I don't think I've flown an F product that was measurably better for sleep surface comfort (including EY, SQ suites), though they are much more spacious and private.

But you really lost me here. What is it that makes the 789 your favourite? For me, as for most on the board it seems, it's a noticeable step down from the 777s (which, honestly, aren't as nice in terms of layout as the 744 was, although of course the 744 was never updated).

I'm the opposite - in seating position it's inferior to 777 but I can live with it; in sleeping position is where I'm much more aware of being cramped.

I agree that the mattress is the single biggest differentiator... but I do feel the seat's inherent design helps, with one single flat surface + ottoman rather than a creased and folded design. It definitely allows for a less compromised sleeping surface, as does the flip design which means sitting and sleeping can be different.

However I agree that a better overall design PLUS those superb mattresses would be amazing.

So what are we describing here - is it the ability to remove the little vertical guard at the end of the ottoman? I can see how that could be appealing, but doesn't that then mean your feet stick out more into the aisle and people bump into them as they try to get past? As someone who is tall (6'2") and uses the bed length in its entirety, I already find that can be a bit of an issue...