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)
Oct 25, 2019, 4:01 pm
#721
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Update to my query: the snacks were indeed set up on 1D/1H as I feared. However, it’s not too bad in the rear facing seat as you can’t really notice any of the normal sized people, although you would occasionally hear the crumpling bags noise from the indecisive passengers. On the 789 and front facing seats, it would be harder to miss people in front of you. It may be both a pro and con that you can pick out some snacks right from that seat too.
The galley behind 5 only had PE snacks (or are they just Y snacks?) of some kettle chips and Milano cookies.
The galley behind 5 only had PE snacks (or are they just Y snacks?) of some kettle chips and Milano cookies.
Oct 25, 2019, 5:03 pm
#722
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
United is out today with a plethora of customer enhancements which are clearly poking AA and to a lesser extent DL.
UA is redoing their 788/789 biz class seats to the better Polaris seats and AA couldn’t be bothered to fix the motion over the ocean issue while they ripped out the 788 mini cabin. It’s so indicative of this management team.
Aren't there still the issues with the dividers between the center seats?
Why can’t AA figure this sh*% out?
UA is redoing their 788/789 biz class seats to the better Polaris seats and AA couldn’t be bothered to fix the motion over the ocean issue while they ripped out the 788 mini cabin. It’s so indicative of this management team.
Aren't there still the issues with the dividers between the center seats?
Why can’t AA figure this sh*% out?
Oct 25, 2019, 5:18 pm
#723
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
United is out today with a plethora of customer enhancements which are clearly poking AA and to a lesser extent DL.
UA is redoing their 788/789 biz class seats to the better Polaris seats and AA couldn’t be bothered to fix the motion over the ocean issue while they ripped out the 788 mini cabin. It’s so indicative of this management team.
Aren't there still the issues with the dividers between the center seats?
Why can’t AA figure this sh*% out?
UA is redoing their 788/789 biz class seats to the better Polaris seats and AA couldn’t be bothered to fix the motion over the ocean issue while they ripped out the 788 mini cabin. It’s so indicative of this management team.
Aren't there still the issues with the dividers between the center seats?
Why can’t AA figure this sh*% out?
UA food is way better tho.
Oct 25, 2019, 5:32 pm
#724
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Oct 25, 2019, 5:48 pm
#725
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
what? United 787 is 2-2-2 currently and they just started going in for a refurb to the standard new Polaris 1-2-1 a la 787-10.
Oct 25, 2019, 6:06 pm
#726
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Having travelled the UA 787 in the new Polaris configuration 4 times sofar, I find the seat very comfortable and easy to sleep in.
The 2-4-2 is/was on the pmUA 772s, of which all are almost converted now, so no more overseas flights in that configuration to speak of.
Oct 30, 2019, 5:32 pm
#727
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
It is interesting that posters seem to be bothered by things in direct relationship to their airline preference. I suppose we all make excuses for the ones we like who drop the ball and shout from the rafters when carriers we do not like get it wrong. Not sure objectivity is possible in this forum.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the AA 788 and 789 though the aisles feel cramped.
Done a lot of ORD-LHR and I really like what they have done with the catering on this route and as it always was, Catering in the ORD Flagship Lounge is the one that I like the best. Both on quality and selection. I wonder if London will ever get a flagship lounge. Sometime in 2020 is the latest I have been told...
I have been pleasantly surprised by the AA 788 and 789 though the aisles feel cramped.
Done a lot of ORD-LHR and I really like what they have done with the catering on this route and as it always was, Catering in the ORD Flagship Lounge is the one that I like the best. Both on quality and selection. I wonder if London will ever get a flagship lounge. Sometime in 2020 is the latest I have been told...
Last edited by flyertalker54234; Oct 31, 2019 at 2:11 am
Oct 30, 2019, 7:11 pm
#728
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
It is interesting that posters seem to be bothered by things in direct relationship to their airline preference. I suppose we all make excuses for the ones we like who drop the ball and shout from the rafters when carriers we do not like get it wrong. Not sure objectivity is possible in this forum.
I have been pleasantly surpsied by the AA 788 and 789 though the aisles feel cramped.
Done a lot of ORD-LHR and I really like what they have done with the catering on this route and as it always was, Catering in the ORD Flagship Lounge isthe one that I like the best. Both on quality and selection. I wonder if London will ever get a flagship lounge. Sometime in 2020 is the latest I have been told...
I have been pleasantly surpsied by the AA 788 and 789 though the aisles feel cramped.
Done a lot of ORD-LHR and I really like what they have done with the catering on this route and as it always was, Catering in the ORD Flagship Lounge is
Oct 31, 2019, 2:05 pm
#730
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Spire Amb
Posts: 901
We are flying 787-8 AA 74 HNL-ORD (6p-5:42a) in late January. Is this still the issue of rattling seats? We are currently in 4 D/H (forward facing middle as a couple). Only one seat is left in the 'non attached' location 5L. Is it that big of a deal while you are sleeping?
Oct 31, 2019, 2:07 pm
#731
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
We are flying 787-8 AA 74 HNL-ORD (6p-5:42a) in late January. Is this still the issue of rattling seats? We are currently in 4 D/H (forward facing middle as a couple). Only one seat is left in the 'non attached' location 5L. Is it that big of a deal while you are sleeping?
take 5 L and 5 H if available and hope for 1DH or 5A to open up.
Oct 31, 2019, 3:19 pm
#732
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
I fly these regularly. Some are better adjusted than others. The big unknown is the passenger in other seat. I have had many many flights when it is no issue. Not as bad as the old days when people used to pull your seat back to get in an out. Overnight flights most people sleep through. Now and again you get people who are up and down every twenty minutes and deliberately drop into the seats. I suspect their bathroom visits are more to do with their noses than anything else. I always take front row as I like to get away from the noise in Coach/PE.
Oct 31, 2019, 3:21 pm
#733
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
I fly these regularly. Some are better adjusted than others. The big unknown is the passenger in other seat. I have had many many flights when it is no issue. Not as bad as the old days when people used to pull your seat back to get in an out. Overnight flights most people sleep through. Now and again you get people who are up and down every twenty minutes and deliberately drop into the seats. I suspect their bathroom visits are more to do with their noses than anything else. I always take front row as I like to get away from the noise in Coach/PE.
Oct 31, 2019, 3:23 pm
#734
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Don’t think the seats are a factor but I suspect hyperactivity and inconsiderate behavior often are linked to powder and noses. 😉 Doing 74 in early Jan. So pleased they are reinstating. Hoping it will be nice and quiet flight.