Apr 9, 2016, 5:10 pm
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)
May 1, 2017, 6:07 pm
#391
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,553
Does anyone know, or has anyone heard, the timeline for when the seat stabilizers will be installed? I have a few trips on this plane in the coming months and currently have 6L, but would pick another seat (such as 2L) if they were stabilized.
May 2, 2017, 7:57 am
#392
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
I flew in 5D on the weekend, and honestly didn't notice anything from the adjoining seat. The only time there was movement was when there was turbulence, and I think that was exacerbated by the fact that the seat is not held perfectly fixed, but can move back and forth slightly around the position you have set it in.
May 11, 2017, 8:23 am
#393
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BNA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 766
Flew in 2L from AKL to LAX and was very comfortable. I had no issues with movement.
I'm 6'5" and slept fine.
My takeaway: all the ranting about seat movement and less legroom for taller people is overblown.
I had a rear-facing seat and barely noticed. In fact, head pointed toward the flight direction seemed more natural when sleeping.
My inbound was a 77W and outbound was a 788. Nominal difference, IMO. Both are great J products.
I'm 6'5" and slept fine.
My takeaway: all the ranting about seat movement and less legroom for taller people is overblown.
I had a rear-facing seat and barely noticed. In fact, head pointed toward the flight direction seemed more natural when sleeping.
My inbound was a 77W and outbound was a 788. Nominal difference, IMO. Both are great J products.
May 11, 2017, 9:15 am
#394
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
I think if one asked the folks who complained about seat movement, no one would say the comments were overblown. There have been consistent complaints about this being a serious negative in terms of comfort.
I'd be happy to hear the fix has been implemented across the board. As much as I love window seats, our family of 4 have staked out 2DH and 3DH on an upcoming flight, so at least no one else is responsible for the movement but ourselves
I'd be happy to hear the fix has been implemented across the board. As much as I love window seats, our family of 4 have staked out 2DH and 3DH on an upcoming flight, so at least no one else is responsible for the movement but ourselves
May 11, 2017, 9:33 am
#395
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
I realize the motion bothers some more than others, or others have had worse experiences, but I've been in this seat a lot in the past year. I have never had a significant displeasure from seat motion, and I find the space nearly equal to the 77W and 789 seats.
Jun 20, 2017, 9:54 pm
#396
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502
First time on a 787 in J, quick question. Will 6L allow me to have a nice view of the flex wings? If not, which seats are better for viewing wings? Thanks!
Jun 20, 2017, 10:03 pm
#397
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
I'm going to be taking this aircraft to Shanghai. Took it once before with a friend, and one way the partition was down in the middle seats so we could talk during the flight. The way back the partition was stuck up, and we couldn't see or speak to each other.
How do you guarantee you get seats together with someone so the partition is up?
How do you guarantee you get seats together with someone so the partition is up?
Jun 20, 2017, 10:07 pm
#398
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: COS
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Gold
Posts: 36
Jun 21, 2017, 8:20 am
#400
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SEA, FLL, Martha’s Vineyard
Programs: AS MVPGold75K, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Pan Am million-miler
Posts: 2,019
Does anyone know what the deal is with the partitions in the middle seats so that I can speak to my traveling companion? Sometimes they are permenantly up, while other times they are down. Is this just luck of the draw, or is there a rhyme or reason to which middle seats have the partition down?
I had heard the middle sests in the forward J cabin have the partition permanently down, while the aft J cabin have them permanently up, but could not confirm this. I would like to be able to talk with my friend on a 15hr flight.
I had heard the middle sests in the forward J cabin have the partition permanently down, while the aft J cabin have them permanently up, but could not confirm this. I would like to be able to talk with my friend on a 15hr flight.
Jun 23, 2017, 7:22 pm
#402
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
Not only will 6L give you a nice view of the wing, the wing is pretty much all you're going to see. But the wing is impressive.
Jul 12, 2017, 10:41 am
#404
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHX
Posts: 323
Jul 12, 2017, 10:42 am
#405
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
Crew rest is the more likely reason. Not what I wrote before. :^
Last edited by econometrics; Jul 12, 2017 at 10:44 am Reason: Correction