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Old Jan 12, 2015, 2:30 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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:

Print Wikipost

Seating guide: Boeing 787 Dreamliner

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Old Oct 26, 2019, 8:21 am
  #856  
 
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Originally Posted by Pascoe
About to book up trip to MEX and have just spotted that they aren't running the 747 any more. I am a bit gutted if I'm honest but it's very much a first world problem I know.

Guessing in J that the 'mini-cabin' is best location? .... Seems to have availability on my dates at present....
Yeh. The 747 has been gone for a couple of years now of my regular route. Last time I got to fly it got a nice upgrade to CW at check-in. Good times. I'd choose front cabin 7a now for the 789. As a backup 13a/k in the bigger cabin. Avoid 7k see two posts just after your original post.
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Old Oct 26, 2019, 8:22 am
  #857  
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Originally Posted by Deltus
Is the risk of 7K being taken by crew determined by route or a random lottery? I currently have it for a PKX-LHR in December - am I likely to get booted out of it or can I relax? 7A is already occupied.
Hi,

I think it is depending on flight sector length ( ie if it over 8hrs then it is a crew rest). As PKX ( new Beijing airport is over 8 hrs IIRC I would say you are potentially at risk) -others may confirm this,

Regards

TBS
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Old Oct 26, 2019, 8:26 am
  #858  
 
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Originally Posted by The _Banking_Scot
Hi,

I think it is depending on flight sector length ( ie if it over 8hrs then it is a crew rest). As PKX ( new Beijing airport is over 8 hrs IIRC I would say you are potentially at risk) -others may confirm this,

Regards

TBS
Definite risk at the moment. Anyone with an inbound from SJC, GIG and MEX all lost 7K this week. There is another thread about it in the forum.

I personally wish BA would either block these immediately or post a note warning of the risk of that seat bring reassigned.
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Old Oct 28, 2019, 4:19 am
  #859  
 
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HI guys,

Am travelling with a friend to Seoul. Long flight. Pretty open choice of seats 787-8. Club World.

I'm thinking 3JK. Is 3j noisy?

thanks!
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Old Oct 28, 2019, 5:34 am
  #860  
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Originally Posted by bigRW
I'm thinking 3JK. Is 3j noisy?
Not particularly, it's a quiet aircraft, some people report galley noise but it's not something I've noticed personally. I'd personally prefer 3A, simply because there is a WC between 3K and the galley, so there is some footfall and queuing (at 25 minutes to landing) as a result, but that's fairly minor on the scale, at least for me.
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Old Oct 28, 2019, 4:06 pm
  #861  
 
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Originally Posted by Can I help you
I agree but hardly a deal breaker if aisle access seats are not available?
I'd usually take a window over aisle, but have to admit with arthritic knees and not long legs I find it an unnecessary bore mid flight to have to hop over someone. Mostly because I am super polite and hate to wake a sleeper.
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Old Oct 28, 2019, 4:08 pm
  #862  
 
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Originally Posted by TTmex
Definite risk at the moment. Anyone with an inbound from SJC, GIG and MEX all lost 7K this week. There is another thread about it in the forum.

I personally wish BA would either block these immediately or post a note warning of the risk of that seat bring reassigned.
Out of interest why 7K and not 7A - is it toilet proximity? It's not fitted out any differently right? Or is there some sort of additional privacy curtain for crew?
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Old Oct 28, 2019, 4:22 pm
  #863  
 
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Originally Posted by Pascoe
Out of interest why 7K and not 7A - is it toilet proximity? It's not fitted out any differently right? Or is there some sort of additional privacy curtain for crew?
No idea, but seems to be the seat that they consistently block off. I've never actually seen the crew using it, but I'm sure many have.
There's no additional curtain.
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Old Oct 28, 2019, 4:34 pm
  #864  
 
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And blocked both ways on my trip seemingly (not that I am bothered as I have 1A and 7A respectively, but I nearly fell into the trap before reading this, as that front J mini cabin looks quite full on my return and I spotted that 7K was available and 7J as yet unoccupied, so I almost switched....I think I'll stick with &a now.

Good work FTers ;-)
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Old Oct 29, 2019, 5:39 am
  #865  
 
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Winter 2019/2020 rest seats

Originally Posted by Pascoe
Out of interest why 7K and not 7A - is it toilet proximity? It's not fitted out any differently right? Or is there some sort of additional privacy curtain for crew?
Not sure if there's a reason as to why it's K over A. There's no difference in terms of seat/cabin spec.

Originally Posted by Deltus
Is the risk of 7K being taken by crew determined by route or a random lottery? I currently have it for a PKX-LHR in December - am I likely to get booted out of it or can I relax? 7A is already occupied.
Originally Posted by The _Banking_Scot
Hi,

I think it is depending on flight sector length ( ie if it over 8hrs then it is a crew rest). As PKX ( new Beijing airport is over 8 hrs IIRC I would say you are potentially at risk) -others may confirm this,

Regards

TBS
The use of 7J/7K as a Flight Crew rest seat is route dependent. Winter 2019/2020 details are as follows:
One rest seat - 7K
  • BA0005/6 LHR-NRT-LHR
  • BA0018 ICN-LHR
  • BA0019/20 LHR-KIX-LHR
  • BA0041/40 LHR-DUR-LHR
  • BA0243 LHR-MEX
  • BA0249 LHR-GIG
  • BA0279 LHR-SJC
Two rest seats - 7J & 7K
  • BA0033/34 LHR-KUL-LHR
  • BA0251/250 LHR-SCL-LHR
I mentioned the following in another thread with regards to recent changes seen by some...
Following changes at Waterside/T5, flight edits and preparation is being outsourced and transferred to Mumbai. This is pure speculation but it may be that as more flights are transferred to this new department, there has been some confusion over the BALPA agreements and the requirements for blocking seats.

Last edited by Boeing77W; Oct 29, 2019 at 5:47 am Reason: Format
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Old Oct 29, 2019, 11:49 pm
  #866  
 
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Originally Posted by Boeing77W
Not sure if there's a reason as to why it's K over A. There's no difference in terms of seat/cabin spec.





The use of 7J/7K as a Flight Crew rest seat is route dependent. Winter 2019/2020 details are as follows:
One rest seat - 7K
  • BA0005/6 LHR-NRT-LHR
  • BA0018 ICN-LHR
  • BA0019/20 LHR-KIX-LHR
  • BA0041/40 LHR-DUR-LHR
  • BA0243 LHR-MEX
  • BA0249 LHR-GIG
  • BA0279 LHR-SJC
Two rest seats - 7J & 7K
  • BA0033/34 LHR-KUL-LHR
  • BA0251/250 LHR-SCL-LHR
I mentioned the following in another thread with regards to recent changes seen by some...
May explain to removal of 7k on Mex to LHR. I'd appreciate if ba rectified this and reassigned our original seats if there is no plan to actually use it for crew rest.
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Old Nov 5, 2019, 6:02 am
  #867  
 
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7K just became available again on the MEX to LHR leg for April. Can anyone confirm if same has happened on theirs?
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Old Nov 5, 2019, 10:06 am
  #868  
 
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Originally Posted by Boeing77W
Not sure if there's a reason as to why it's K over A. There's no difference in terms of seat/cabin spec.





The use of 7J/7K as a Flight Crew rest seat is route dependent. Winter 2019/2020 details are as follows:
One rest seat - 7K
  • BA0005/6 LHR-NRT-LHR
  • BA0018 ICN-LHR
  • BA0019/20 LHR-KIX-LHR
  • BA0041/40 LHR-DUR-LHR
  • BA0243 LHR-MEX
  • BA0249 LHR-GIG
  • BA0279 LHR-SJC
Two rest seats - 7J & 7K
  • BA0033/34 LHR-KUL-LHR
  • BA0251/250 LHR-SCL-LHR
I mentioned the following in another thread with regards to recent changes seen by some...
Have reassigned my seat back to 7k and J. Hope it sticks this time
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Old Nov 9, 2019, 2:46 am
  #869  
 
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For the middle seat in J, is aisle access over one side only, or both? In other words is there an advantage to D over F or vice versa, and does the mid seat have a choice of which way to exit if, say, one neighbour is asleep?
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Old Nov 9, 2019, 3:01 am
  #870  
 
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The middle seat(s) can use either side to (hop over if needed to) get out.

LCS
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