Quick Specs
| Cabin | Layout | Seats | Pitch | Width | Bed | IFE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 1-2-1 | 32 | 44in | 19.5in | 74.5in | No seatback IFE |
| Premium Economy | 2-3-2 | 14 | 38in | 19.3in | N/A | No seatback IFE |
| Economy | 3-3-3 | 138 | 34in | 17in | N/A | No seatback IFE |
Business Class
Business class occupies rows 1–9 in two separate cabins divided by a galley behind row 5. The front cabin spans rows 1–4; the rear cabin spans rows 5–9. All business seats feature a 1-2-1 layout with 44 inches of pitch and a 74.5-inch lie-flat bed. Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 follow an A–aisle–D–G–aisle–K pattern; rows 2, 4, 6, and 8 follow a C–aisle–F–aisle–H pattern. Every business seat includes a table, and all armrests are non-movable. Passenger accounts describe the privacy dividers between center seats (rows with D and G, or F and H pairings) as quarter-circle barriers—functional for privacy but noticeably smaller than the full enclosures found on competitors' Qsuites or Polaris products. Passengers report that center-seat pairs in rows like 7D and 7G sit close together, and those without direct aisle access may feel confined during boarding and deplaning. The rear business cabin places rows 5–9 aft of the galley and bar, positioning these seats away from front-cabin galley activity.
Premium Economy Class
Premium Economy occupies rows 15–16 with a 2-3-2 layout, 38 inches of pitch, and 19.3-inch width. Armrests are non-movable. Shared monitors install in front of row 15. The cabin sits forward of economy, offering a modest 4-inch pitch gain (38 inches versus 34 inches economy) at a fraction of business-class cost. For flights exceeding 7 hours, the extra legroom may justify the upgrade, though the lack of lie-flat recline means sleeping comfort depends on seat angle rather than a full bed.
Economy Class
Economy spans rows 20–35 in a 3-3-3 layout with 34 inches of pitch and 17-inch width. Rows 20–33 follow an A–B–C–aisle–D–F–G–aisle–H–J–K pattern; row 34 follows A–C–aisle–D–F–G–aisle–H–K; row 35 follows A–C–aisle–D–F–G. Emergency exits sit at row 25 (both sides); seats 25A, 25B, 25C, 25H, 25J, and 25K are exit-row seats with non-movable armrests and restricted recline. Seats 25A, 25K, 32A, and 32K do not have windows, making them poor choices for passengers prioritizing natural light or window views on long flights. Shared monitors install in front of rows 20 and 25. Lavatory facilities include a wheelchair-accessible unit behind rows 24D, F, and G, and additional facilities behind row 5 and scattered behind row 24. Galleys sit at the front, behind row 5, and at the back; the rear galley activity (rows 34–35 proximity) may create noise for nearby passengers on long flights.
Best Seats
| Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Forward window seats (rows 1–4, A or K) | Business | Direct aisle access, maximum galley distance from rear cabin, quieter cabin position |
| Row 6, center pair (F–H) | Business | Rear cabin location with galley behind row 5 providing direct service access; center divider offers privacy for couples |
| Rows 15–16, aisle seats (A, C, D, F, G, H, K) | Premium Economy | Aisle access in the quietest economy-premium section; 38-inch pitch eases long-haul comfort |
| Row 20, aisle seats (D, F, G, H, J) | Economy | Forward economy position with shared monitor; aisle access reduces middle-seat proximity |
Seats to Avoid
| Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Center pairs without direct aisle (rows 2, 4, 6, 8 — F and H seats) | Business | Passenger reports note these seats require climbing over a neighbor to reach the aisle; dividers are modest and provide limited privacy |
| Row 25 (all seats) | Economy | Emergency exit row with non-movable armrests and recline restrictions; minimal comfort on long flights despite extra legroom |
| Seats 25A, 25K, 32A, 32K | Economy | No window despite window-seat positions; eliminates natural light and outside views on long-haul routes |
| Rows 34–35 (all seats) | Economy | Proximity to rear galley creates noise and activity disturbance; row 35 has limited seat count (only A, C, D, F, G) |
Premium Economy
Premium Economy occupies rows 15 and 16 with 14 seats in a 2-3-2 layout. Seat pitch is 38 inches and width is 19.3 inches. The cabin benefits from a dedicated galley behind row 5 in the Business section, meaning meal and beverage service originates closer to Premium Economy than to Economy. Shared monitors are installed in front of row 15, providing flight information and entertainment on a cabin-wide screen.
Meal service in Premium Economy typically includes a full hot entrée, compared to the lighter service offered in Economy, alongside premium beverage selections and amenity kits. Armrests are non-movable across both rows, and all seats include individual seatback entertainment systems and direct aisle access or close proximity to aisles.
Access to ANA's lounges is determined by fare class and frequent flyer status. Premium Economy tickets generally grant entry to ANA's domestic lounges or partner lounges depending on the route and membership tier. International business travellers on premium economy fares may receive limited lounge access; verification with the specific booking is essential.
| Best Seats in Premium Economy | Why |
|---|---|
| 15D, 15F, 15G | Center seats in row 15 offer direct galley access for beverage refills and meal service; proximity to the shared monitor means entertainment options are visible without craning. Row 15 is the front row of the cabin, minimizing traffic from rear Premium Economy passengers. |
| 16D, 16F, 16G | Center seats maintain the same benefits as row 15. Row 16 sits closer to the rear galley, useful for quiet rest during overnight flights. |
| Seats to Avoid in Premium Economy | Why |
|---|---|
| 15A, 15C, 16A, 16C | Aisle-adjacent seats on the left side experience higher foot traffic from galley and lavatory access. Armrests are fixed, limiting flexibility for adjacent seatmates. |
| 15H, 15K, 16H, 16K | Right-side aisle seats similarly see elevated traffic from rear galley and lavatory visitors. The fixed armrests and proximity to the lavatory (located behind row 24 Economy) means additional disturbance during long flights. |
✈️ Version Lottery
ANA operates the Boeing 787-8 in a single cabin configuration across its fleet. All aircraft carry the same 1-2-1 Business seat layout (rows 1–9), 2-3-2 Premium Economy (rows 15–16), and 3-3-3 Economy (rows 20–35). There are no regional variants, different privacy door versions, or generations of this aircraft type within ANA service.
Passengers can confirm their specific aircraft assignment via the airline's website seat map at the time of booking, which displays the exact cabin configuration and emergency exit row locations. ExpertFlyer and Seatguru also reflect the 787-8 layout accurately. Since all ANA 787-8s are identical in cabin product, changing flights or dates offers no advantage in securing a superior cabin version—the decision should instead focus on seat selection (aisle vs. window, front vs. rear galley access, and proximity to lavatories) within the fixed layout.
🏆 Competitive Verdict
ANA's Boeing 787-8 Business class competes directly with JAL's 787-8 and Singapore Airlines' regional 787-9 on premium routes between Tokyo and Asia-Pacific hubs. ANA's 1-2-1 staggered layout (44-inch pitch, 74.5-inch bed) offers privacy and direct aisle access on alternate rows, but the quarter-circle divider between middle seats (7D–7G in the rear cabin) provides less isolation than Qatar's Qsuite or United's Polaris. For solo overnight travellers, ANA's window and aisle seats (A and K columns) deliver full privacy and a 74.5-inch bed—a marginal advantage over JAL's identical product, but inferior to Singapore Airlines' superior IFE and wider seat width. For couples, ANA's middle-seat pairs (D–G) sacrifice aisle access but permit true togetherness; JAL offers the same compromise. Tall passengers over 6 feet benefit equally from ANA's 74.5-inch bed and 44-inch pitch across competitors. Work-focused business travellers favour Singapore Airlines' larger seatback screen, dual power outlets at arm height (vs. ANA's awkward hip-level placement, which passengers report causes frequent charger dislodgement), and superior meal timing aligned to time zones. Verdict: ANA's 787-8 Business ties JAL on the stagger-seat formula but loses on ergonomic details; it underperforms Singapore Airlines on overnight comfort and work functionality. Book ANA if the flight time suits your schedule and you prioritise aisle access; otherwise, the SQ product justifies the routing detour.
🛁 Lounge & Ground Experience
ANA's primary hub for 787-8 operations is Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo. ANA Lounge facilities at Haneda include shower suites (essential for pre-arrival freshening on overnight arrivals), à la carte dining (hot noodle and rice bowls, sushi, seasonal specialties), a spa area with massage services, and private rest areas with day beds for premium customers.
Business Class passengers and ANA Mileage Club Diamond and Platinum members receive automatic lounge access at Haneda and most ANA international hubs. Premium Economy passengers and Gold members receive access to dedicated ANA Lounges (tier-two facilities with lighter dining and basic shower facilities). Economy passengers do not receive complimentary lounge access unless holding elite status.
The Haneda lounge experience—particularly the shower facilities and hot meal service timed to your flight departure—provides genuine value on overnight arrivals and makes a same-day onward connection feasible after an international red-eye. However, ANA's Haneda hub does not always offer the fastest connections from North America or Europe compared to direct routing via Narita or routing via competitor hubs like Singapore or Dubai, where lounge quality is similarly strong. If your final destination is beyond Tokyo and connections exceed 3 hours, the Haneda lounge advantage is offset by the longer journey time; evaluate the full itinerary rather than routing through Haneda solely for lounge access.
🌙 Overnight Formula
Book seat 1A or 1K for the best overnight experience on ANA's 787-8 Business. These forward-cabin window seats in row 1 offer maximum privacy (bulkhead proximity means zero foot traffic behind you), full 74.5-inch bed conversion, direct aisle access, and minimal overhead bin congestion during boarding and deplaning. The front location ensures you are served dinner earlier and breakfast later, aligning with typical overnight eastbound schedules; you will rest during the cabin's quietest hours.
Eat the meal service. ANA's Business dinner includes a multi-course hot entrée, fresh sashimi, warm bread, and a dessert trolley—services designed to signal meal completion to your body before sleep. Skipping dinner risks hunger-driven wakefulness mid-flight. After the cabin lights dim (typically 2 hours post-departure on long-haul), use the 4-hour window before the pre-arrival service to sleep uninterrupted.
Bring a quality memory-foam neck pillow (the provided ANA pillow is thin synthetic, adequate but not premium) and noise-isolating earbuds or headphones. The 74.5-inch bed is suitable for passengers under 6 feet 2 inches; if taller, confirm seat length limits before booking. Set your alarm for 1 hour before the pre-arrival service announcement (typically 90 minutes before landing). When the cabin crew begins the service sequence, request strong black coffee and a light fruit plate rather than a heavy breakfast; this signals your arrival time zone to your circadian rhythm and eases jet lag on 8+ hour flights. Use the lavatory immediately after the pre-arrival service ends; deplaning from Business on a full 787-8 is smooth due to the small cabin and forward galley access.
💬 What Passengers Say
Passengers report that boarding on ANA at major hubs like Jakarta (CGK) is organized into separate lines for Business and Economy, with the Business queue moving swiftly—frequent flyers note that with fewer than 10 passengers ahead, jet bridge access is immediate and gate agents greet each traveller with attentive service. Passenger accounts describe the front galley entrance into the Business cabin as seamless, with flight attendants stationed at the doorway to direct seat assignment and welcome each guest personally.
Frequent flyers consistently highlight the quarter-circle dividers between middle Business seats as a thoughtful privacy feature, though reviews acknowledge that the divider is significantly smaller than competing products from Qatar Airways or United; passengers report that travellers unfamiliar with their seatmate appreciate the partition, even if it does not match the full-height enclosure of premium suites elsewhere. Passenger accounts describe the rear Business cabin (rows 5–7) with 3 rows of 2-2-2 seating as an intimate pod-style experience, popular for couples who prioritize togetherness over absolute privacy.
Reviews highlight a persistent ergonomic complaint: the charging ports, USB-A outlet, and universal socket positioned at hip level in the center armrest cause frequent charger ejection when passengers adjust position or cross legs. Passengers report that the storage pocket below these outlets (designed for laptops and phones) is well-proportioned and useful, but the proximity of power outlets to the knee area means cables require constant re-seating. Passenger accounts note that the lumbar support button, also embedded in the center armrest, is easy to locate and responsive, offsetting some frustration with the outlet placement.
Frequent flyers describe the pillow and plastic-wrapped blanket, pre-positioned on each seat before boarding, as a nice touch that signals premium hospitality—though reviews indicate that the provided pillow is adequate but not luxury-grade and benefits from supplementation with a personal neck pillow for overnight flights.