Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > American Airlines | AAdvantage
Reload this Page >

Dreamliner 787-8 / 788 Zodiac Business Seats & Reviews (master thd)

Old Apr 9, 2016, 5:10 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 (ne 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 (ne 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, Americans manager of onboard products, cabin design, spoke to Runway Girl Network with praiseworthy candor about the airlines current situation and plans. To start, Mapston explains the 787-8 fleets (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. Its anyones 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.
Due to the modifications AA required of Zodiac for these seats, there are some peculiarities reported:
  • 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.
Print Wikipost

Dreamliner 787-8 / 788 Zodiac Business Seats & Reviews (master thd)

Old Jan 9, 2019, 10:55 am
  #601  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by joepercussion1
I am scheduled on a 787 on Friday out of Chicago to DFW. Seat map just changed to only 5 rows of J with PE added. Cannot select seats on the app anymore. I was seated in 6L and was moved to 1D. I will report back if this plane is in fact in a revised configuration. Current tail is showing as N801AC. Inbound flight on this tail shows the pre-PE configuration. Definitely interesting why they made this change, unless a sub is planned.

The ORD-DFW flight after my departure is also a 788 and has the old seat map. Anyone else with this?
Can't answer your question directly, but I have seen commentary online and in forums in 2017 that AA was planning on getting rid of the herringbone layout in business and doing something else. Maybe your plane was changed and you'll have the new configuration?
acoburn73 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 11:05 am
  #602  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by joepercussion1
I am scheduled on a 787 on Friday out of Chicago to DFW. Seat map just changed to only 5 rows of J with PE added. Cannot select seats on the app anymore. I was seated in 6L and was moved to 1D. I will report back if this plane is in fact in a revised configuration. Current tail is showing as N801AC. Inbound flight on this tail shows the pre-PE configuration. Definitely interesting why they made this change, unless a sub is planned.

The ORD-DFW flight after my departure is also a 788 and has the old seat map. Anyone else with this?
Looked at all 787s from ORD-DFW departing on Friday (quite a few!) on ExpertFlyer, and it appears you're on AA2501, which is the only 787 showing as having 5 rows in business (all others have the mini-cabin extra two rows). See image below:



Also, Seat Guru for AA 787s only shows two current -8 and -9 configurations, with the -8 of course having 5 rows in main cabin and 2 in minicabin (herringbone layout), while -9 has 8 rows all facing forward. Maybe you are lucky enough to be on the first new configuration of the -800?
acoburn73 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 11:08 am
  #603  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
Images from Seat Guru for the two 787 configs AA currently has shown:



JDiver likes this.
acoburn73 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 11:11 am
  #604  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
See this link for info. Looks like you are going to be on the retrofitted 787-8 where American has yanked the 8 biz seats in the mini-cabin and opted for additional PE seating.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/aa-red...87-8-retrofit/

And below the chart showing the changes related to the retrofit.

acoburn73 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 11:17 am
  #605  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by gateH15

There was a divider between 5DH and it was not adjustable. But I think it depends on the plane.
I've seen images on Google of the minicabin, and all of them have the divider open. Guess it depends.
acoburn73 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 2:17 pm
  #606  
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Extended CUN flying......great use of this airplane

https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...-the-aircraft/
AANYC1981 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 2:21 pm
  #607  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DCA
Programs: American AAdvantage EXP, World of Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Rewards Titanium, MGM Rewards Gold
Posts: 426
Originally Posted by acoburn73
See this link for info. Looks like you are going to be on the retrofitted 787-8 where American has yanked the 8 biz seats in the mini-cabin and opted for additional PE seating.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/aa-red...87-8-retrofit/

And below the chart showing the changes related to the retrofit.

Originally Posted by acoburn73
Looked at all 787s from ORD-DFW departing on Friday (quite a few!) on ExpertFlyer, and it appears you're on AA2501, which is the only 787 showing as having 5 rows in business (all others have the mini-cabin extra two rows). See image below:



Also, Seat Guru for AA 787s only shows two current -8 and -9 configurations, with the -8 of course having 5 rows in main cabin and 2 in minicabin (herringbone layout), while -9 has 8 rows all facing forward. Maybe you are lucky enough to be on the first new configuration of the -800?
I thought I saw the first aircraft just went in for the refit. I would be shocked that it would be back in time for this flight. Maybe I am wrong? Current assigned tail matches with the inbound flight, and while subject to change, indicates the original configuration.

I will report back actual finding and photos if it is the new configuration!
acoburn73 likes this.
joepercussion1 is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 3:07 pm
  #608  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,686
One just went in for reconfiguration, but there is one prototype flying already.

Originally Posted by joepercussion1




I thought I saw the first aircraft just went in for the refit. I would be shocked that it would be back in time for this flight. Maybe I am wrong? Current assigned tail matches with the inbound flight, and while subject to change, indicates the original configuration.

I will report back actual finding and photos if it is the new configuration!
JDiver likes this.
777lover is offline  
Old Jan 9, 2019, 5:18 pm
  #609  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,143
N800AN has been flying with 20J and PE for a while now.

N810AN just went to KPAE for refit yesterday.

They are the only 2 with PE (or PE underway) of the 20 788s.
JDiver likes this.
econometrics is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2019, 9:32 am
  #610  
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 47
Hey everyone, quick question. I am scheduled to fly business on 3/22 on flight #48 DFW/CDG. I am torn between seats 5A & 6A. I currently have 5A reserved. Both seem to get decent reviews since they are not connected to other seats. I've read good things about the mini cabin but concerned about the possibility of changing equipment to the retrofitted cabin and then getting bumped to a less desirable seat. Any advice? Thanks!
DallasTX_Traveller is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2019, 10:21 am
  #611  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Originally Posted by DallasTX_Traveller
Hey everyone, quick question. I am scheduled to fly business on 3/22 on flight #48 DFW/CDG. I am torn between seats 5A & 6A. I currently have 5A reserved. Both seem to get decent reviews since they are not connected to other seats. I've read good things about the mini cabin but concerned about the possibility of changing equipment to the retrofitted cabin and then getting bumped to a less desirable seat. Any advice? Thanks!
there is always a possibility of equipment change. Pick 5A as its a good seat and if you see 6 A or 6L open few hours before departure you can always switch.
DallasTX_Traveller likes this.
gateH15 is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2019, 10:35 am
  #612  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FNT, but DTW if I can't help it
Programs: AAdvantage Former EXP/Current PLT / Total Rewards - Diamond / Hilton HHonors - Gold
Posts: 757
Originally Posted by DallasTX_Traveller
Hey everyone, quick question. I am scheduled to fly business on 3/22 on flight #48 DFW/CDG. I am torn between seats 5A & 6A. I currently have 5A reserved. Both seem to get decent reviews since they are not connected to other seats. I've read good things about the mini cabin but concerned about the possibility of changing equipment to the retrofitted cabin and then getting bumped to a less desirable seat. Any advice? Thanks!
FWIW, my flights for July have the correct seat map already assigned to them for a retrofitted 788. My hunch is that equipment swaps are only happening near term as they put the reconfigured planes into service... But anything's possible
DallasTX_Traveller likes this.
josmul123 is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2019, 10:56 am
  #613  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DCA
Programs: American AAdvantage EXP, World of Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Rewards Titanium, MGM Rewards Gold
Posts: 426
Originally Posted by joepercussion1




I thought I saw the first aircraft just went in for the refit. I would be shocked that it would be back in time for this flight. Maybe I am wrong? Current assigned tail matches with the inbound flight, and while subject to change, indicates the original configuration.

I will report back actual finding and photos if it is the new configuration!
Seat map was switched back just prior to departure. We still had the 28J on this flight
joepercussion1 is offline  
Old Jan 16, 2019, 8:23 pm
  #614  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 197
Hi all - I just booked AA1294 DFW-ORD on 1/21 for me and wife. I keep reading back and forth that the dividers are locked up, locked down, and that rear facing and front facing have two people sitting closest to each other. Can someone help me understand what I can expect on this flight, and which seats to snag? Ive currently got 6D and 6H but 5D and 5H are also available. Will 5 or 6 allow my wife and I to have the divider down and be in the right angle to be closest to each other? She doesnt like to fly and does like me, so first class closeness is a plus when I can make it happen!

Thanks in advance!
jacisme is offline  
Old Jan 16, 2019, 8:26 pm
  #615  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Originally Posted by jacisme
Hi all - I just booked AA1294 DFW-ORD on 1/21 for me and wife. I keep reading back and forth that the dividers are locked up, locked down, and that rear facing and front facing have two people sitting closest to each other. Can someone help me understand what I can expect on this flight, and which seats to snag? Ive currently got 6D and 6H but 5D and 5H are also available. Will 5 or 6 allow my wife and I to have the divider down and be in the right angle to be closest to each other? She doesnt like to fly and does like me, so first class closeness is a plus when I can make it happen!

Thanks in advance!
when I was in 5L this month, divider between 5D/H was up and couldnt go down.
I think 6D/H have divider down permanently. If I were you I would select 2 window seats because even with the divider down its not very comfortable to have a conversation.
gateH15 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.