Jan 12, 2015, 2:30 pm
Last edit by: Pochama
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 does not recline.
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:
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 does not recline.
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:
Seating guide: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Dec 24, 2018, 12:24 pm
#661
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,769
Welcome to Flyertalk, and welcome to the BA forum Giasemaki, it's great the see you here and I very much hope we will hear more from you. And if you are celebrating at this time of the year, Merry Christmas to you too.
Dec 25, 2018, 12:53 pm
#662
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 2
I can't really help with WT advice here, but you are correct that they mean the B and J seats, the curvature removes the A and K seat. However it's not a great seat, the distance is too great to lean on, and as you say the WCs are near by. More problematic, I would have thought, is that the main galley for WT would expect a lot of visitors on such a long flight getting drinks and chatting to the crew. Personally given the long flight I really would try to get a WTP seat unless you are fairly small.
Welcome to Flyertalk, and welcome to the BA forum Giasemaki, it's great the see you here and I very much hope we will hear more from you. And if you are celebrating at this time of the year, Merry Christmas to you too.
Welcome to Flyertalk, and welcome to the BA forum Giasemaki, it's great the see you here and I very much hope we will hear more from you. And if you are celebrating at this time of the year, Merry Christmas to you too.
merry Christmas to you too.
Dec 30, 2018, 8:35 am
#663
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
20F in 788
Does anyone have any experience/comments on row 20 in a 787-8? It would appear to be similar to row 30 - a bulkhead at the front of the WT cabin - but row 20 only has D/E/F and seems to be set forward from row 21 (which is a full row).
I've currently got 20F allocated on an overnight BOS-LHR. I realise that all the bulkhead seats will be even narrower than usual for a 788, due to the in-arm entertainment screen. I'm not especially tall, but do have broad shoulders. 10 hours on a day flight in a 787-9 to SJC, with a large person next to me, left my back with a nasty crick that took a couple of days to work out.
Any better options? Currently most of the WT cabin is available.
I've currently got 20F allocated on an overnight BOS-LHR. I realise that all the bulkhead seats will be even narrower than usual for a 788, due to the in-arm entertainment screen. I'm not especially tall, but do have broad shoulders. 10 hours on a day flight in a 787-9 to SJC, with a large person next to me, left my back with a nasty crick that took a couple of days to work out.
Any better options? Currently most of the WT cabin is available.
Last edited by squawk; Dec 30, 2018 at 8:41 am
Dec 31, 2018, 3:23 pm
#665
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
Can anyone give any indication as to how narrow these bulkhead seats actually are, vs the regular 788 seats? Someone must have a photo/measurement (and if not, I’ll do it...)
Jan 5, 2019, 2:05 am
#666
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Belfast
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 379
Booked in WTP for a November flight to KL (on the B789) and wondering if anyone can advise the best way to bag a row 16 seat pair by the windows?
Appreciate these are currently blocked as bassinets however, on return through KUL last month these seats were also blocked. When I got onboard there were no babies at all in row 16. Is it likely they were assigned during check in at the airport?
Having seats in row 16 would really improve our experience on such a long sector. For a start, I wouldn’t have to climb on the centre arm rest to get out over Mrs SHT88T when the enivatable ‘full recliner’ sits in front of us, as has been the case on both of our previous WTP trips.
As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Appreciate these are currently blocked as bassinets however, on return through KUL last month these seats were also blocked. When I got onboard there were no babies at all in row 16. Is it likely they were assigned during check in at the airport?
Having seats in row 16 would really improve our experience on such a long sector. For a start, I wouldn’t have to climb on the centre arm rest to get out over Mrs SHT88T when the enivatable ‘full recliner’ sits in front of us, as has been the case on both of our previous WTP trips.
As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Jan 5, 2019, 2:47 am
#667
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,769
This advice would apply to any bassinet seating, but in essence they are held back until OLCI, at which point these seats are fair game to anyone. There is a period from 72 hours to OLCI time when you can call in and ask to move to these seats, but it doesn't always work, it sometimes seems easier from 48 hours to 26 hours for some reason. In other cases an agent simply can't take the seats before OLCI no matter how hard they try, but that would also stop anyone else from getting those seats until OLCI too.
Jan 9, 2019, 4:16 am
#669
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 166
Pair of us flying LHR-SCL (Santiago) in CW on 789 later this year. Cabin is fairly open both ways (just 7J/K blocked). Having looked through this thread it seems 7A/B are best pair remaining? How about 6A/B or J/K? I'm 6'4 so any extra space appreciated.
Jan 9, 2019, 4:24 am
#670
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,090
Row 6 is a normal row offering nothing extra, if you are on the wider side I would take or 7E plus either D or F as there is more side space with 7E, 7AB if you want a window with aisle access.
Jan 9, 2019, 8:40 am
#672
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 267
One thing to note is if you are flying during the day across the Atlantic, you may not necessarily want to be in a window seat. I did that once to SJC and because the windows only tint but do not go completely black, the sun may still cause annoying reflections in the IFE screen. I also found that the window got really hot to touch. So for my next SJC flight I picked 7E over 7A and was much happier.
This is obviously down to personal taste. Being in 7A on the first trip gave me excellent views as the plane flew in over San Francisco and down towards San Jose. Swings and roundabouts. :-)
This is obviously down to personal taste. Being in 7A on the first trip gave me excellent views as the plane flew in over San Francisco and down towards San Jose. Swings and roundabouts. :-)
Jan 9, 2019, 6:52 pm
#673
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
My wife and I flew in 1E and 1F on a 789 from LHR to LAX at the weekend. Whilst it’s good for couples as the screen comes down, so easy to chat, or have eye contact, it’s not my favorite seat. When taking off and landing and the curtains are stowed, when looking straight ahead, you get the impression that 1/3 of the seat is out in the corridor as the galley entrance is offset a little. It’s fine when the curtains are drawn though.
I think I would much prefer the middle pair in row 2, but 2F is blocked as a bassinet seat when I was choosing seats when it was wide open.I was hoping to move to row back at T-72, or T-48, T-whatever, but about 30 days out, those seats were taken. I did fear that an infant was traveling in the cabin, but upon boarding my fears were unfounded. Not only did the occupants manage to snag the bassinet 30 days out, but they also decreed that buddy dinning was possible and the crew were happy to oblige them.
I think I would much prefer the middle pair in row 2, but 2F is blocked as a bassinet seat when I was choosing seats when it was wide open.I was hoping to move to row back at T-72, or T-48, T-whatever, but about 30 days out, those seats were taken. I did fear that an infant was traveling in the cabin, but upon boarding my fears were unfounded. Not only did the occupants manage to snag the bassinet 30 days out, but they also decreed that buddy dinning was possible and the crew were happy to oblige them.
Jan 10, 2019, 2:54 am
#674
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
I like 16B or J in WTP+ 789. I have a pair of Christmas socks that have rubber on them. I clean them and only use them to fly. I thus can rest them on the bulkhead and actually get a very comfortable position half lying down.
Jan 10, 2019, 2:57 am
#675
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
Booked in WTP for a November flight to KL (on the B789) and wondering if anyone can advise the best way to bag a row 16 seat pair by the windows?
Appreciate these are currently blocked as bassinets however, on return through KUL last month these seats were also blocked. When I got onboard there were no babies at all in row 16. Is it likely they were assigned during check in at the airport?
Having seats in row 16 would really improve our experience on such a long sector. For a start, I wouldn’t have to climb on the centre arm rest to get out over Mrs SHT88T when the enivatable ‘full recliner’ sits in front of us, as has been the case on both of our previous WTP trips.
As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Appreciate these are currently blocked as bassinets however, on return through KUL last month these seats were also blocked. When I got onboard there were no babies at all in row 16. Is it likely they were assigned during check in at the airport?
Having seats in row 16 would really improve our experience on such a long sector. For a start, I wouldn’t have to climb on the centre arm rest to get out over Mrs SHT88T when the enivatable ‘full recliner’ sits in front of us, as has been the case on both of our previous WTP trips.
As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated!