Last edit by: Prospero
Boeing 787-8 (788) Zodiac Concept D Business Suite Business Class Seats Selection Guide & Reviews
There were 20 787-8 Dreamliners at the end of 2018, now gradually expanding to 42 total 788s in the AA fleet.
This thread is dedicated to discussion of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with Zodiac Concept D Business Suite Business class seating and service
For the 787-9, see Boeing 787-9 / 789: Business (Rockwell Collins (née B/E) Super Diamond Seat, Service (master thd)
The 787-8 offers 20 modified Zodiac "Concept D" Business Suite all aisle access "podded" seats in 1-2-1 with back to back seating in the center pairs, and alternating front and rear facing window seats. They are said to be 21-26" wide, and have 60-61" pitch upright in pods with full aisle access and 77" in the horizontal "bed" position. True AVOD offering up to 250 movies, 160 TV shows, 13 radio channels, 375 albums and 20 games, is offered via cabled handset controllers to large flat touch screens. Power offered is 110 VAC via universal plugs and 5 VDC USB. Bose QuietComfort headsets with noise reduction are provided (picked up about one hour prior to arrival). Ku-Band satellite WiFi is offered for sale.
The Dreamliner "big sister" model (22 787-9, first in service September 2016, has Collins (née B/E Aerospace) Super Diamond Solo seats that largely avoid the Zodiac problems, is the "big sister"). The second batch of 787-8s (787T) differ from the first batch and are fitted with Collins Super Diamond seats.
Zodiac "Concept D Business Suite" seats connected "at the head" are affected by movement from the seat they are connected to, often referred to on FT as "motion over the ocean". The Business seats that are unconnected and stable in 787-8 J are 1D&H, 5A&L.
Due to the modifications AA required of Zodiac for these seats, there are some peculiarities reported:
Link to photos taken by SFO777 here, from his trip on AA2320 DFW-ORD 07:10 - 09:36 Inaugural flight, shared with 68 FlyerTalkers.
There were 20 787-8 Dreamliners at the end of 2018, now gradually expanding to 42 total 788s in the AA fleet.
This thread is dedicated to discussion of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with Zodiac Concept D Business Suite Business class seating and service
For the 787-9, see Boeing 787-9 / 789: Business (Rockwell Collins (née B/E) Super Diamond Seat, Service (master thd)
The 787-8 offers 20 modified Zodiac "Concept D" Business Suite all aisle access "podded" seats in 1-2-1 with back to back seating in the center pairs, and alternating front and rear facing window seats. They are said to be 21-26" wide, and have 60-61" pitch upright in pods with full aisle access and 77" in the horizontal "bed" position. True AVOD offering up to 250 movies, 160 TV shows, 13 radio channels, 375 albums and 20 games, is offered via cabled handset controllers to large flat touch screens. Power offered is 110 VAC via universal plugs and 5 VDC USB. Bose QuietComfort headsets with noise reduction are provided (picked up about one hour prior to arrival). Ku-Band satellite WiFi is offered for sale.
The Dreamliner "big sister" model (22 787-9, first in service September 2016, has Collins (née B/E Aerospace) Super Diamond Solo seats that largely avoid the Zodiac problems, is the "big sister"). The second batch of 787-8s (787T) differ from the first batch and are fitted with Collins Super Diamond seats.
Zodiac "Concept D Business Suite" seats connected "at the head" are affected by movement from the seat they are connected to, often referred to on FT as "motion over the ocean". The Business seats that are unconnected and stable in 787-8 J are 1D&H, 5A&L.
Remedial seat stability fix announced 9 Oct 2016 by John Walton, Runway Girl Network (link)
"Jay Mapston, American’s manager of onboard products, cabin design, spoke to Runway Girl Network with praiseworthy candor about the airline’s current situation and plans. To start, Mapston explains the 787-8 fleet’s (Zodiac) Concept D (Business Suite) will see remedial stability work to fix the much-discussed issue where the seats shake when an adjoining passenger moves."
As of July 2019, no such fix has been put in place. The seat modification has to be designed, submitted to the FAA for certification (STC) and approved, the parts manufactured and seats modified. Normally, the seat manufacturer would do this, but as AA terminated the Zodiac contract for failure to perform. It’s anyone’s guess when and if a fix is forthcoming.
AA canceled the contract with Zodiac for inability to comply with scheduled delivery times, causing seatless Dreamliners to sit out availability idled in the desert and causing considerable delay for the 777-200ER refurbishment. The seats were NOT used for the 787-9 nor more than half the 47 aircraft 772 fleet, and it is likely the newly ordered 788s will be equipped with Super Diamond Seats.
"Jay Mapston, American’s manager of onboard products, cabin design, spoke to Runway Girl Network with praiseworthy candor about the airline’s current situation and plans. To start, Mapston explains the 787-8 fleet’s (Zodiac) Concept D (Business Suite) will see remedial stability work to fix the much-discussed issue where the seats shake when an adjoining passenger moves."
As of July 2019, no such fix has been put in place. The seat modification has to be designed, submitted to the FAA for certification (STC) and approved, the parts manufactured and seats modified. Normally, the seat manufacturer would do this, but as AA terminated the Zodiac contract for failure to perform. It’s anyone’s guess when and if a fix is forthcoming.
AA canceled the contract with Zodiac for inability to comply with scheduled delivery times, causing seatless Dreamliners to sit out availability idled in the desert and causing considerable delay for the 777-200ER refurbishment. The seats were NOT used for the 787-9 nor more than half the 47 aircraft 772 fleet, and it is likely the newly ordered 788s will be equipped with Super Diamond Seats.
- Many seats are interlaced with others - passenger in one moves, the linked seat moves. "Motion over the ocean" is induced by the partner seat attached at the head,
- Forward facing seats may have more restricted shoulder room / width when flat than aft facing
- Middle seat privacy dividers were balky and continually slipped into the retracted position, so they were "fixed" in place so they are not passenger operable. Apparently crew fixes them in several configurations: all up, making them great for privacy but nearly impossible for couples wanting to share conversation; all down, making for lower privacy; facing forward up, facing aft down. Some aircraft have them repaired and passenger operable, some not.
- Rows 1 and 2 center seats have no overhead bins; they were displaced by the crew rest area in the fore fuselage crown.
- 1A and L are close to lav and galley.
- Many prefer seats 5A or L as they are unaffected by other seats / passenger movement in seats.
- 5A and 5L have one window, rather than two.
Link to photos taken by SFO777 here, from his trip on AA2320 DFW-ORD 07:10 - 09:36 Inaugural flight, shared with 68 FlyerTalkers.
Dreamliner 787-8 / 788 Zodiac Business Seats & Reviews (master thd)
#481
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ORD/MKE
Programs: UA General Member, AA Gold, SPG (Bonvoy) Gold; IHG Plat. Ambassador
Posts: 399
Have flown prevously on AA 787-800. I had 4A, husband 5A. I had shaking and he did not.
Has AA changed out the J seats on 787-800 to get rid of the connected zodiac seats?
since mileage is same, looking for most comfort.
current options for me -
to FCO from ORD direct on 787 open seats 2L, 7A, 7L
to FCO via JFK on 777v4 windows avial
from FCO to ORD via PHL 333 single seat windows
from FCO to ORD direct 787 5A, 6A and 6L,7A and 7L
thanks...
#483
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,384
Traveling in J from China as a single passenger. What would folks recommend? All that is left is 1A, 2H, 2L, 4A, 5H, and all of rows 6 and 7. I am thinking 1A as best of an ordinary low. Facing forward, no one to look at or be looked at from, and just my 2A seat mate to contend with. I sleep above average easily.
#484
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,697
If u are OK with flying backwards (and many people prefer it), 6A and 6L are highly regarded because of the extra personal space and the storage behind you. Plus u dont have to put the shoulder harness on.
Traveling in J from China as a single passenger. What would folks recommend? All that is left is 1A, 2H, 2L, 4A, 5H, and all of rows 6 and 7. I am thinking 1A as best of an ordinary low. Facing forward, no one to look at or be looked at from, and just my 2A seat mate to contend with. I sleep above average easily.
#485
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 449
Traveling in J from China as a single passenger. What would folks recommend? All that is left is 1A, 2H, 2L, 4A, 5H, and all of rows 6 and 7. I am thinking 1A as best of an ordinary low. Facing forward, no one to look at or be looked at from, and just my 2A seat mate to contend with. I sleep above average easily.
Personally, I think row 6 or 7 along the windows is a better option. 7 is not as private as 6 but 7 faces forward if that is important to you.
#486
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, AA Gold, HH Dia, PC Plat, ALL Sil, MR Gold
Posts: 4,550
I just flew in 7L and thought it was a good seat. I thought of taking 6L but it's just too close to the lav and galley, which is where FAs hang out and talk, often for much of the flight. If you're a light sleeper like me, go with 7A or 7L. I can't stand feeling my seat move so avoid most of the forward cabin (connected seats).
#488
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
I believe there is no more policy. People are free to use whatever lavs they want on planes.WIth that said, I sat in row 7 windows on 3 TPACS earlier this year and noticed no traffic issues from coach, other than FAs. The galley posed no noise issues at all.
Last edited by Uncle Nonny; Jun 22, 2018 at 7:04 am Reason: sp.
#489
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
For domestic there is free pax movement between cabins, as well as on ex-USA international flights (I believe). On flights TO the USA they make announcements and enforce using the lav in your assigned cabin.
#490
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, AA Gold, HH Dia, PC Plat, ALL Sil, MR Gold
Posts: 4,550
That was my concern as well, but there wasn't any extra noise and only a few people went from coach to use the J lavs. The FAs never said anything to them, so if it is a rule, it wasn't enforced on my flight.
#493
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,384
Wouldn't it likely be driven by supply/demand per route? The fact that they are reducing seats points to the fact that J pricing is likely too high. So they may lower the price between J and PE to get more sales. They make more that way than letting the seat go to an upgrade, non-rev, or empty. Time will tell...
#494
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 84
AA 788 - Best business seats
Currently booked in the rear facing 6A for my flight from LHR to ORD, as I though the rear facing would be quieter and offer a better view out the window.
-Are the rear facing seats better than the front facing?
-IS the rear 6 seat cabin better than the bigger main cabin?
-Are the rear facing seats better than the front facing?
-IS the rear 6 seat cabin better than the bigger main cabin?
#495
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
Currently booked in the rear facing 6A for my flight from LHR to ORD, as I though the rear facing would be quieter and offer a better view out the window.
-Are the rear facing seats better than the front facing?
-IS the rear 6 seat cabin better than the bigger main cabin?
-Are the rear facing seats better than the front facing?
-IS the rear 6 seat cabin better than the bigger main cabin?