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
Mar 22, 2024, 2:55 am
#1396
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ESH
Programs: BAEC Silver, Lidl Plus
Posts: 325
The OH and I are currently booked in CW on a 788 in seats 1A & 1B. I'm tempted to move us to 7J & 7K, which are available, so that both of us have direct aisle access. It's a night flight, and my feeling is that I'd rather sacrifice first choice of meal, if required, to avoid being 'trapped' in 1A all night and climbing over 2B every time I need to get out.
Are there any obvious disadvantages to 7J/K over 1A/B, apart from being back of the queue for meal choice?
Are there any obvious disadvantages to 7J/K over 1A/B, apart from being back of the queue for meal choice?
Mar 22, 2024, 3:23 am
#1397
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Belfast
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 379
The OH and I are currently booked in CW on a 788 in seats 1A & 1B. I'm tempted to move us to 7J & 7K, which are available, so that both of us have direct aisle access. It's a night flight, and my feeling is that I'd rather sacrifice first choice of meal, if required, to avoid being 'trapped' in 1A all night and climbing over 2B every time I need to get out.
Are there any obvious disadvantages to 7J/K over 1A/B, apart from being back of the queue for meal choice?
Are there any obvious disadvantages to 7J/K over 1A/B, apart from being back of the queue for meal choice?
Mar 22, 2024, 5:01 am
#1398
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Blyth, Northumberland
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 68
The OH and I are currently booked in CW on a 788 in seats 1A & 1B. I'm tempted to move us to 7J & 7K, which are available, so that both of us have direct aisle access. It's a night flight, and my feeling is that I'd rather sacrifice first choice of meal, if required, to avoid being 'trapped' in 1A all night and climbing over 2B every time I need to get out.
Are there any obvious disadvantages to 7J/K over 1A/B, apart from being back of the queue for meal choice?
Are there any obvious disadvantages to 7J/K over 1A/B, apart from being back of the queue for meal choice?
I took 7K so I had the space to get out by the bulkhead and not climb over 7J.
I got my meal choice, but the service was so slow. I was literally the last for everything, albeit it was a terrible flight in general for service but thats another issue. I wasnt bothered by anyone in WTP but that was probably because of the route.
Mar 26, 2024, 7:09 am
#1399
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 10
787-900 Club with twin babies 😬
Hello,
My wife and I are flying CW on a 787-900 BA155 LHR-BGI 27/02/25 and I’m wondering where people would suggest to sit with 2 x 8 month old twin babies. We are aware we can’t sit on the same row as each other (unless separated by an aisle) due to the infant oxygen masks and are struggling to decide where to select. We are also concerned that if we both sit next to the window, we’d each have to climb over a stranger with a baby and the same if we sit in an aisle we’ll have someone climbing over both ourselves and probably a sleeping baby.
Ideally the club suites would be perfect but can’t see these being installed before we travel?
Also - we know BA offers free seat selection to those travelling with infants but as my wife in currently pregnant with said babies, we could not benefit from this as BA don’t allow booking babies on until they’re born. Could we pay now to select seats but have them refunded when adding the babies on? Seems unfair to not benefit, especially when many airlines allow in-utero babies on when booking.
Thanks!
My wife and I are flying CW on a 787-900 BA155 LHR-BGI 27/02/25 and I’m wondering where people would suggest to sit with 2 x 8 month old twin babies. We are aware we can’t sit on the same row as each other (unless separated by an aisle) due to the infant oxygen masks and are struggling to decide where to select. We are also concerned that if we both sit next to the window, we’d each have to climb over a stranger with a baby and the same if we sit in an aisle we’ll have someone climbing over both ourselves and probably a sleeping baby.
Ideally the club suites would be perfect but can’t see these being installed before we travel?
Also - we know BA offers free seat selection to those travelling with infants but as my wife in currently pregnant with said babies, we could not benefit from this as BA don’t allow booking babies on until they’re born. Could we pay now to select seats but have them refunded when adding the babies on? Seems unfair to not benefit, especially when many airlines allow in-utero babies on when booking.
Thanks!
Mar 26, 2024, 7:37 am
#1400
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Blyth, Northumberland
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 68
Hello,
My wife and I are flying CW on a 787-900 BA155 LHR-BGI 27/02/25 and I’m wondering where people would suggest to sit with 2 x 8 month old twin babies. We are aware we can’t sit on the same row as each other (unless separated by an aisle) due to the infant oxygen masks and are struggling to decide where to select. We are also concerned that if we both sit next to the window, we’d each have to climb over a stranger with a baby and the same if we sit in an aisle we’ll have someone climbing over both ourselves and probably a sleeping baby.
Ideally the club suites would be perfect but can’t see these being installed before we travel?
Also - we know BA offers free seat selection to those travelling with infants but as my wife in currently pregnant with said babies, we could not benefit from this as BA don’t allow booking babies on until they’re born. Could we pay now to select seats but have them refunded when adding the babies on? Seems unfair to not benefit, especially when many airlines allow in-utero babies on when booking.
Thanks!
My wife and I are flying CW on a 787-900 BA155 LHR-BGI 27/02/25 and I’m wondering where people would suggest to sit with 2 x 8 month old twin babies. We are aware we can’t sit on the same row as each other (unless separated by an aisle) due to the infant oxygen masks and are struggling to decide where to select. We are also concerned that if we both sit next to the window, we’d each have to climb over a stranger with a baby and the same if we sit in an aisle we’ll have someone climbing over both ourselves and probably a sleeping baby.
Ideally the club suites would be perfect but can’t see these being installed before we travel?
Also - we know BA offers free seat selection to those travelling with infants but as my wife in currently pregnant with said babies, we could not benefit from this as BA don’t allow booking babies on until they’re born. Could we pay now to select seats but have them refunded when adding the babies on? Seems unfair to not benefit, especially when many airlines allow in-utero babies on when booking.
Thanks!
Most airlines paid seating reservations are non refundable.
Apr 8, 2024, 3:10 pm
#1402
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 324
Booked on the 787-9 for LHR-SYD, currently in 7A/B. I know these are seen favourably by some, but wondering if being close to the galley is going to be distracting on the SIN-SYD leg when sleep counts?
Slim pickings in the rest of the cabin except 13 A/B or J/K…
Slim pickings in the rest of the cabin except 13 A/B or J/K…
Apr 16, 2024, 4:51 am
#1404
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
A follow-on question from me, please: On SIN-SYD and SYD-SIN, is there any risk of 7J or 7K being required for crew rest? They're not blocked, and the flights are within the current scheduling season (NS 2024).
Apr 16, 2024, 12:05 pm
#1407
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Posts: 88
I am booked 7 A/B on the B789 LHR-HND (and back). J/K are blocked so assume this is for crew rest on these long legs. I'd prefer to be on the J/K side as it's the opposite side to the toilets, but looking forward to the mini-cabin generally, and glad galley noise is not intrusive per above.
Apr 16, 2024, 2:14 pm
#1408
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,100
I am booked 7 A/B on the B789 LHR-HND (and back). J/K are blocked so assume this is for crew rest on these long legs. I'd prefer to be on the J/K side as it's the opposite side to the toilets, but looking forward to the mini-cabin generally, and glad galley noise is not intrusive per above.
