Kenya Airways
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Seat Guide 2026 | Cabin.coach
TL;DR
The 787-8 features 30 Business Class seats in an exclusive 2-2-2 layout with very wide seats, plus Premium Economy and Economy cabins with 3-3-3 configurations. Book centre pair seats 2D/2G or 3D/3G in Business for prime positioning, and grab exit row seats 16 or 28 in Economy for extra legroom. Avoid Business Class Row 1 (bulkhead limitations), Rows 4-5 (galley proximity), and Economy rows 31-34 (rear toilet noise).
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The Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner offers a premium long-haul experience with spacious Business Class in a 2-2-2 configuration and comfortable Economy seating across three cabins. This guide reveals the best seats to book and which ones to avoid for maximum comfort on your journey.
Business Class
Kenya Airways' Business Class on the 787-8 features a sophisticated 2-2-2 layout with 30 total seats distributed across 10 rows. Seats are described as very wide, providing exceptional comfort for long-haul travel. The cabin lacks privacy doors between suites, so consider this if you value complete enclosure. Row 1 features bulkhead positioning which limits recline and storage options. Rows 4 and 5 are positioned near the galley and lavatory area, resulting in increased foot traffic and noise disturbances throughout your flight.
Premium Economy Class
Kenya Airways equips the 787-8 with a dedicated Premium Economy cabin, providing an enhanced experience between standard Economy and Business Class. This cabin offers improved seat pitch and width compared to standard Economy, with dedicated amenities and service benefits.
Economy Class
Economy seating follows a standard 3-3-3 configuration with two service levels: standard Economy at 32 inches pitch, and Economy Comfort at 34-36 inches pitch for extra legroom. The cabin spans 34 rows with varying comfort levels. Exit row seats at rows 16 and 28 offer significantly expanded legroom, though some passengers may find exit row restrictions limiting. Bulkhead row 11 provides additional space but can be noisy. Rows 31-34 at the rear are positioned near lavatories and experience higher noise and odor levels. All middle seats (column B) throughout the cabin should be avoided if possible, as they lack direct aisle or window access. Seat 32A specifically has reported issues.
Best Seats
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
2D/2G | Business | Centre pair configuration in forward rows with optimal cabin positioning and minimal galley proximity |
3D/3G | Business | Preferred centre seating in early cabin section with excellent service access |
16A or 16F | Economy | Exit row seats with significantly expanded legroom and direct aisle access |
28A or 28F | Economy | Rear exit row offering extra space with fewer passengers behind |
11A or 11F | Economy | Bulkhead positioning provides additional legroom, best if avoiding middle seat |
Seats to Avoid
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
1A/1B/1C/1D/1E/1F | Business | Bulkhead row with limited recline, restricted storage, and galley proximity noise |
4A-4F | Business | Positioned directly adjacent to galley and lavatory with excessive foot traffic |
5A-5F | Business | Galley and lavatory proximity causes noise and service disruptions |
31-34 (all seats) | Economy | Rear cabin rows positioned near lavatories with heightened noise, odors, and passenger movement |
All B Column seats | Economy | Middle seats lack window or aisle access, limiting comfort and movement |
32A | Economy | Reported specific issues with this seat position |
Does the Boeing 787-8 have privacy doors in Business Class?
No, Kenya Airways' 787-8 Business Class does not feature privacy doors between suites. Passengers seeking complete privacy may want to consider this when booking.
What is the seat pitch difference between standard Economy and Economy Comfort?
Standard Economy offers 32 inches of pitch, while Economy Comfort provides 34-36 inches, giving you an additional 2-4 inches of legroom for improved comfort on longer flights.
Are exit row seats worth booking in Economy?
Yes, exit row seats (rows 16 and 28) offer substantially more legroom than standard Economy. However, be aware that exit row seats come with restrictions on who can occupy them (typically no children, elderly passengers with mobility issues, or those unfamiliar with emergency procedures).
Why should I avoid rows 31-34 in Economy?
These rear cabin rows are positioned near the lavatories, resulting in increased noise, odors, and constant passenger movement throughout your flight, significantly impacting sleep quality and comfort.
What is the best Business Class seat on this aircraft?
The centre pair seats 2D/2G or 3D/3G are considered optimal, as they offer prime positioning in the forward cabin sections away from galley and lavatory noise while providing the full benefits of the 2-2-2 configuration.
Can I avoid middle seats in Economy?
Yes, we strongly recommend avoiding all column B (middle) seats, as they lack direct aisle or window access. If a middle seat is your only option, consider requesting an aisle or window seat as a standby upgrade.
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