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)
Jul 12, 2019, 3:32 am
#691
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 41
Upgrade just cleared ORD-LHR and I can choose either 1D or 5A (must not be too many FT readers up front on this flight). It’s a day flight so not worried about sleep, but curious if anyone has any thoughts re: galley and potential PE pax disruptions (given the new seating configuration and apparent sharing of lavs between J and PE) for 5A, and galley noise for 1D. Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Rhinopia; Jul 12, 2019 at 3:35 am Reason: Typos
Jul 12, 2019, 6:38 am
#693
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
5A is a quiet and private seat. Grab it.
Jul 14, 2019, 9:34 am
#694
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: DL Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Silver
Posts: 31
Haven't flown AA in J for a long time so in a mad dash to get caught up here after having changed flights because of work. Flying ORD-FCO as a couple; we don't talk much but we do check in with each out and like to feel like we are together. If we don't have that, we might prefer to both take window seats. Right now we have 1DH going out. Other open seats are 2A, 3A, 1L and 2L. Coming back we are still in 1DH with a lot of options open. 1L, 2A, 2D, 2H, 3A, 5D, 5H and 5L.
Any recommendations? Worth seating side by side?
Thanks
Any recommendations? Worth seating side by side?
Thanks
Jul 14, 2019, 9:52 am
#695
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
When I take my wife along I opt for one behind the other on the window. Works great. You’re not really going to be able to talk, and shouldn’t be on an overnight anyway.
If on the window, you can stand up and check in on occasion. You’re each going to end up settling in and eating, a little IFE, and sleep. Just relax and enjoy the flight.
If on the window, you can stand up and check in on occasion. You’re each going to end up settling in and eating, a little IFE, and sleep. Just relax and enjoy the flight.
Jul 14, 2019, 9:55 am
#696
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Haven't flown AA in J for a long time so in a mad dash to get caught up here after having changed flights because of work. Flying ORD-FCO as a couple; we don't talk much but we do check in with each out and like to feel like we are together. If we don't have that, we might prefer to both take window seats. Right now we have 1DH going out. Other open seats are 2A, 3A, 1L and 2L. Coming back we are still in 1DH with a lot of options open. 1L, 2A, 2D, 2H, 3A, 5D, 5H and 5L.
Any recommendations? Worth seating side by side?
Thanks
Any recommendations? Worth seating side by side?
Thanks
For a couple, you have the two best seats on the airplane. Don't move. Well done.
Jul 25, 2019, 1:47 pm
#697
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 772
I'm going to be taking my first ride on one of these in Sept (Just a quick DFW-ORD) and want to give the rear-facing seats a spin. I'm well aware of the rocking but which row (2 or 4) would give the best visibility out the window? I don't really want to be stuck staring at the engine the entire time. Thanks in advance!
Aug 20, 2019, 8:48 am
#698
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 5
AA 99 LHR to ORD seat 1D?
Hello all,
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
Aug 20, 2019, 9:13 am
#699
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Hello all,
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
Aug 20, 2019, 10:53 am
#700
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Hello all,
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
Aug 23, 2019, 4:43 am
#701
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Hello all,
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
I’ve never flown the LON to Chicago route before since my company sends us to New York. While I love most AA business seats on that route, I am unfamiliar with seats on the Heathrow to Chicago route. I’ve heard horror stories about zodiac seats moving when other people fidget. I believe the aircraft is an 787-800, departing London at 7.45am.
Any pointers? Many thanks!
Purpose of this post is to say keep watching the booking, as many of my flights have been swapped from 788 to 789. Some months out, some two days before etc. I think demand is building on this route and if the equipment changes then you may wish to change your seat and not leave to last minute when the best seats are gone.
Aug 25, 2019, 10:08 am
#705
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
I suspect when the rocking seats finally get replaced (no time soon) then a slant curtain as in the 77W will be fitted. The problem being no planes have been designed to specifically cope with PE. PE being different things on different carriers. For BA it is a distinct class of travel so you cannot upgrade from Coach to Business where American say have a view that it is an enhanced Coach product with service levels comparable to domestic non Transcontinental first. It will probably need the industry to agree a positioning. Whether it is 4 classes or part of a downgrade from FCM to JWY. This is more complicated to the use carriers make of First, upgrades, VIP’s and non rev which again varies by route. Curtains need to return as the airline is required to demarcate ticketed cabins on international flights by TSA.