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Seating guide: BA Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 B788 | 787-9 B789 | 787-10 B78X

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Old Jan 12, 2015, 2:30 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: PETER01
Here is a guide as to the best and worst seats in First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Please ask your questions here, and hopefully someone will be able to help!

NB. The new 787-8 configuration is covered in the separate BA Boeing 787-8 (with Club Suites): Which are the best seats? thread

The following 787 seat maps have been prepared for quick comparison and reference

MMB/Expertflyer Aircraft Codes:
788 = Boeing 787-8
789 = Boeing 787-9
781 = Boeing 787-10

Boeing 787-8
Type 78B
Three class: 35J 25W 154M
G-ZBJA G-ZBJB G-ZBJC G-ZBJD G-ZBJE G-ZBJF G-ZBJG G-ZBJH G-ZBJI G-ZBJJ G-ZBJK G-ZBJM (12)
2006 CW, 2010 WTP, 2010 WT and Thales IFE




Boeing 787-9
Type 789
Four class: 8F 42J 39W 127M
G-ZBKA G-ZBKB G-ZBKC G-ZBKD G-ZBKE G-ZBKF G-ZBKG G-ZBKH G-ZBKI G-ZBKJ G-ZBKK G-ZBKL G-ZBKM G-ZBKN G-ZBKO G-ZBKP G-ZBKR G-ZBKS (18)
2015 First, 2006 CW, 2010 WTP, 2010 WT and Thales IFE




Boeing 787-10
Type 78X?
Four class: 8F 48J 35W 165M; fitted with new Club World Suites
G-ZBLA G-ZBLB G-ZBLC G-ZBLD G-ZBLE G-ZBLF G-ZBLG (7)
2015 First, 2019 CWS, 2018 WTP, 2018 WT and Panasonic ex3 IFE





Boeing 787-8 seating comments
As an aside note: The lavatories on the aircraft have handles to open, rather than a push the door mechanism (as found on the 777). The flush also uses a sensor rather than a button. This has potential to cause confusion at an inopportune moment.

B787-8 Club World:
The front CW cabin is quieter, and better for service than the mid cabin.

1 & 2 D/F: There is no overhead locker space, as it is taken up by the crew rest. The foot stools on these seats are also at risk of being bumped by a trolley, although they are semi-protected.



3A & K: These are the official C-W-S recommended seats. They have a little extra room, and direct aisle access, as well as good window views.
6A & J: These are recommended, as they are the longest, and offer the greatest legroom, as well as being ideally positioned for getting off the aircraft.
6D & F: These also offer an extra 3 inches of legroom.
7A & K: These have a little extra room, and direct aisle access. Ideal for those wishing to sleep. Unfortunately, these seats do only have 2 windows, one fewer than other seats.

B787-8 World Traveller Plus:
Passengers use the WT toilets, which does require a walk back through one of the WT cabins.
If you are worried about catering/meal options, it is recommended to sit towards the front of the cabin, as this is where the service starts.
An interesting video trip report can be found here.

10A-K: Recommended due to the extra legroom.

B787-8 World Traveller:
BA 787 Economy Class Comfort & Health Warning

Reviews for World Traveller on the BA 787 (and indeed many other airlines) seem to largely agree the experience is not pleasant, with 9 seats across in a cabin more ideally suited for 8. The seat is smaller than the WT seat fitted to any other BA aircraft, and this can be felt, especially if you have broader shoulders. Seat pitch is also tight, at only 31 inches. The rear 5 rows are reported to have a slightly tighter pitch than the others.

30 A & K are to be avoided: the emergency exit infringes on your personal space both at upper body and foot level.
30B-J: Recommended due to the extra legroom.
HJK seats in rows 31 to 34 have 1 more legroom than standard rows
A, C, D, F, H, K seats: an IFE box is under the seat in front of you, which infringes on legroom. Please see the photograph below.





Boeing 787-9 seating comments:
As an aside note: The lavatories on the aircraft have handles to open, rather than a push the door mechanism (as found on the 777). The flush also uses a sensor rather than a button. This has potential to cause confusion at an inopportune moment.

B787-9 First:
2K: Recommended by ThatT1Feeling. Quieter side of a/c and away from galley.
1E/F: Recommended for couples by All She Wrote.

B787-9 Club World:
7A/K: Recommended by CWS.

B787-9 World Traveller Plus:
No seats have limited recline.
21 A, B, J and K - Missing window (last window in cabin near row 20's head) + near toilets

B787-9 World Traveller:
The width of the WT seats on the B789 is marginally greater than on the B788 (owing to reduced aisle width on the former).

However...

BA 787 Economy Class Comfort & Health Warning

Reviews for World Traveller on the BA 787 (and indeed many other airlines) seem to largely agree the experience is not pleasant, with 9 seats across in a cabin more ideally suited for 8. The seat is smaller than the WT seat fitted to any other BA aircraft, and this can be easily felt, especially if you have broader shoulders.

A, C, D, F, H, K seats: an IFE box is under the seat in front of you, which infringes on legroom.
41A/K: No window.
43A/K: Increased space between seat & cabin wall.

Boeing 787-10 seating comments:
B787-10 Club World:
From porphyra's post:
6A/K window seats have one set of windows only, across the seat. The second further window adjacent to the screen/display that all other seats have is missing - this might be an issue for some people but I preferred it as there was likely less glare on the screen. The issue is that if you like to look out then you almost need to turn your head 90 degrees vs a slant 30-45 to look across the other window.

From corporate-wage-slave's post:
Bulkheads do have more vibration transmission compared to other seats, but that's almost looking for something to say. Essentially all CS is the same, with the only difference between window or middle seating.

B787-10 World Traveller Plus:
From Nil SeAnn's post:
All seats, even in the rearmost row 24, have very significant recline such that my head never fell forward during sleep.
20J/K have great legroom, but [20]D,E&F have even more legroom.
As I sat into 24F to try out the back row, a helpful F/A warned me that I would not be happy with the noise from the bathroom immediately behind the bulkhead to my rear. I thought to myself - how bad could it be? Well it was awful and I lasted about 10 minutes before moving again.
The toilet is oriented facing the rear of the plane and mounted to the WT+ bulkhead. I estimate it is probably only a foot or so from the back of the seat when fully reclined! If you plan an overnight flight I suggest you absolutely avoid 24D,E or F if you hope to get some sleep.

B787-10 World Traveller:

Far rear row of 48 has what appears to be very limited recline, around half an inch. See this post

The wall at seats 30A and 30K curves inward which limits the leg room for the leg closer to the wall. See post 1395 for photo.

Related threads:



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Seating guide: BA Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 B788 | 787-9 B789 | 787-10 B78X

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Old Apr 30, 2025 | 8:03 am
  #1576  
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Originally Posted by Can I help you
Yes.

Many thanks CIHY
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Old May 1, 2025 | 4:55 am
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I have these options for LON - BOM as a daytime flight. Solo Traveller, main thing for me is not to climb over people. Is there anything between 3E an 7E ?
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Old May 1, 2025 | 5:00 am
  #1578  
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3E would be better, seats 6B and 6J are bassinet seats and the front row of WT Plus behind 7E also has bassinet seats, Indian flight have more babies than other flights.
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Old May 1, 2025 | 6:50 am
  #1579  
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Originally Posted by rtid


I have these options for LON - BOM as a daytime flight. Solo Traveller, main thing for me is not to climb over people. Is there anything between 3E an 7E ?
You also have the option in 1D. If not, 3E is definitely preferable to 7E
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Old May 10, 2025 | 3:09 am
  #1580  
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PE on refurbished 787s (781)

I have a flight soon to Chicago (BA0295) on PE, on the 781 version of the 787.

I think I am right in saying these planes have been refurbished? I know PE on the unrefurbished 787s is looking pretty tired now.

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Old May 10, 2025 | 3:11 am
  #1581  
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Not refurbished as it was delivered with the new product.
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Old May 10, 2025 | 3:16 am
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Ah didn't realise these were newer planes, thanks for the quick response
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Old May 30, 2025 | 9:21 pm
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Which window seat in main CW cabin on 789?

Undecided as to whether I made the right choice for my SCL-LHR flight in September. Forward CW cabin window seats had all been taken and I thought I had snagged a good seat (10A) but then realised after checking through the forum that it does not have direct aisle access and would appear to be directly behind the lavatories. I read a post that said that it should be quieter in row 10 than row 13, but then another flyer said he'd endured the loudest flight ever!
So.... should I stay put or move to 10K or 13K?
Cheers in advance for any advice

Current seat availability for my flight
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Old May 31, 2025 | 2:23 am
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Originally Posted by chilglish
So.... should I stay put or move to 10K or 13K?
Cheers in advance for any advice

Personally I would go for 13K to have a window seat with aisle access.

10A isnt behind the lavatory but 10K is. Row 10 is right behind the galley.

https://www.aerolopa.com/ba-789
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Old May 31, 2025 | 10:00 am
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Originally Posted by lcylocal
Personally I would go for 13K to have a window seat with aisle access.

10A isnt behind the lavatory but 10K is. Row 10 is right behind the galley.

https://www.aerolopa.com/ba-789
Thanks very much lcylocal. I will certainly take your advice. Also like the fact that there should be less "traffic* in that row. Strange, though how on the BA seat map above they position the lavatory behind 10A.

Being Bronze in the BAEC I had to pay for my seat and I made the mistake of not consulting FT first! Seat 13K was actually cheaper than 10K! Any idea why?

If I'm in the very last row of CW will I have any issues with my meal selection?

Last edited by chilglish; May 31, 2025 at 10:14 am
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Old May 31, 2025 | 10:04 am
  #1586  
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This seat map will give you a clearer picture, there are 3 toilets in that area.
https://www.aerolopa.com/ba-789
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Old May 31, 2025 | 10:05 am
  #1587  
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I would choose 13A or K.
Your Silver card status would make the difference not the seat number, you may need to remind the crewmember of this.
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Old May 31, 2025 | 10:12 am
  #1588  
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Originally Posted by Can I help you
I would choose 13A or K.
Your Silver card status would make the difference not the seat number, you may need to remind the crewmember of this.
Thanks "Can I help you". Unfortunately I dropped down to Bronze earlier this year!
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Old May 31, 2025 | 10:54 am
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Originally Posted by chilglish
Being Bronze in the BAEC I had to pay for my seat and I made the mistake of not consulting FT first! Seat 13K was actually cheaper than 10K! Any idea why?
Probably just because it is further forward. This seems to be the main (but not only) pricing factor.
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Old Jun 15, 2025 | 1:31 pm
  #1590  
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Advice on old CW seats

Im looking for advice on seats for club seats to KUL in January. Currently the window pairs in the small cabin are all taken so we have 11JK. Trying to avoid bassinet seats but wondering about switching to 7DE or 7EF to be in the smaller, and hopefully quieter, cabin since its overnight flight. Also any comments on DE or EF. Which pair would be served together. It is irritating to be served separately when we have been in middle pairs. Thanks
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