In 2026, All Nippon Airways plans to start overhauling the cabins of its international Boeing 787-9s, which includes introducing new seats in all cabins. While the airline had already revealed its new premium economy and economy, there’s now a major update, as ANA has just unveiled its new business class. It should look sort of familiar.
In this post:
New ANA 787 business class product revealed
ANA is known for its incredible “The Room” business class, available exclusively on select Boeing 777-300ERs. The airline now plans to introduce a new business class on select Boeing 787-9s, which looks similar on the surface, but has some major differences. The new product is called “The Room FX,” with the “FX” standing for “Future Experience.” In other words, it’s an evolved version of “The Room.”
Designed in partnership with Safran and Acumen, the product is described as “the world’s largest seat in its class on a mid-sized aircraft.” ANA’s 787-9s are expected to have 48 business class seats, spread across 12 rows, in a 1-2-1 configuration. Seats will alternative between being forward facing and rear facing, with each seat having a privacy door.
Here’s the first thing that makes this seat interesting — this is a “no-recline” business class, much like you’ll find on Finnair. That’s to say that when you want to get into bed mode, you don’t recline the seat back, but instead, you just slide down.
The airline describes the seat as having a pre-reclining function that transforms the backrest into a sofa-like configuration, allowing passengers to relax in a variety of positions, similar to lounging on a living room sofa. When it comes to seat dimensions, the bed has a maximum length of 76.5″, and a maximum width of 41.5″.
As far as tech goes, each seat has a 24″ HD monitor with bluetooth audio. The charging options are also extensive, with USB-A, USB-C, AC, and wireless charging.
Here’s how Victoria Foy, CEO of Safran Seats, describes this product:
“At Safran Seats, we are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with ANA through the launch of ‘THE Room FX.’ This new business class seat represents a step-change in comfort, versatility, and innovative design for the Boeing 787-9. By combining our engineering expertise with ANA’s commitment to passenger excellence and Acumen’s creative vision, we are setting new benchmarks in the world of premium air travel.”
Here’s how Ian Dryburgh, CEO of Acume, describes this:
“‘THE Room FX’ project is a result of a profound long-standing partnership between ANA, Acumen and Safran – shaped by years of trust, creativity and innovation. Building on the success and DNA of the ‘The Room’ B777, this next-generation suite elevates the flying experience with a rare balance of comfort, flexibility and elegant engineering. This is a refreshingly original and market leading Business Class product that we believe will exceed passengers’ expectations for many years to come.”
This looks like an excellent new business class
The Boeing 787 fuselage isn’t quite as wide as that of the Boeing 777, and often that leads to a compromise in terms of seat comfort. ANA’s “The Room” business class on the 777 is regarded as one of the best in the world, and I’d say the 787 evolution sounds excellent.
Compared to the 777, the product has the benefit of boasting improved tech, from bluetooth audio, to better charging options. Now, I wouldn’t be surprised if this product ends up being a little less comfortable than the existing 777 business class, but who knows.
Regardless, it sounds like a massive improvement over ANA’s existing 787 business class. Also keep in mind that the Dreamliner makes up a huge part of ANA’s fleet. The airline has 35 international 787-9s, with an additional 27 on order.
The last thing worth mentioning is just how much space ANA is dedicating to these cabins. As we see airlines introduce new business class products, they’re often not willing to compromise on footprint, since they don’t want to reduce cabin density.
In this case, ANA is installing just 24 business class seats between the first and second set of doors on the 787-9. Compare that to the 30 business class seats that many other airlines fit into the same space (or that ANA has on its existing 787-9s)…
Bottom line
ANA has unveiled its new Boeing 787 business class, named “The Room FX.” The product represents an evolution of the existing “The Room” seat that’s found on Boeing 777s, and it looks great. Expect upgraded tech and much more spacious seats, with the only catch being that this is a no-recline concept, much like you’ll find on Finnair.
What do you make of ANA’s new 787 business class?
On a more basic level, you're putting your head where thousands would have farted.
It’s kind of hilarious that airlines like ANA and Finnair are now installing business class seats with no recline, but have economy seats with no legroom to start with on the same aircraft that have someone reclining into your already limited space…
I hate it. One of the best parts about the adjustable seat is finding something that works for you. I tend to sleep not fully flat but this won’t give that option. Also sometimes I recline to watch something and “wind down” before trying to sleep.
Seats without recline capabilities are a non-starter for me (and likely most others). If this were an innovation to premium economy to add lie-flat like capabilities, like some of the concepts out there, then great, but this is a clear downgrade in the seat functionality in return for a private stiff bed (because I'm guessing softness is also not adjustable).
My guess is that they feel more customers spend more time sleeping in business class...
Seats without recline capabilities are a non-starter for me (and likely most others). If this were an innovation to premium economy to add lie-flat like capabilities, like some of the concepts out there, then great, but this is a clear downgrade in the seat functionality in return for a private stiff bed (because I'm guessing softness is also not adjustable).
My guess is that they feel more customers spend more time sleeping in business class then sitting but for those of us who don't, or like the ergonomics of adjustability, the park bench approach just doesn't align.
I forsee people purposely avoiding this, just as they do with Finnair.
Interestingly, ANA slipped down one place in the 2025 World Rankings.
No recline, no thanks
According to Japanese media report, this new seat will be installed on 16 existing 789s with 215 seats and 3 new 789s to be delivered. New config will have 206 seats = 48C 21PY and 137Y so just removing 1 row of Y seats.
Konichiwa.
What happens to the remaining 8 789s?
If they really wanted to, they can simply transfer the staggered business class seats over to the 788s with cradle seats.
Maybe these will just be relegated to BKK/KUL/CGK/HAN/SGN/MNL routes?
According to Japanese media report, this new seat will be installed on 16 existing 789s with 215 seats and 3 new 789s to be delivered. New config will have 206 seats = 48C 21PY and 137Y so just removing 1 row of Y seats.
I have flown The Room on their 777 before and while it was roomy I could not find a comfortable sitting position and there's no arm rest on one side which makes lounging even less uncomfortable. It's good that they are upgrading the 787-9s but what's desperate for an upgrade is their 787-8s. I flew HND-SEA and it was dreadful. The seat was falling apart, the monitor was so glary I couldn't see what I...
I have flown The Room on their 777 before and while it was roomy I could not find a comfortable sitting position and there's no arm rest on one side which makes lounging even less uncomfortable. It's good that they are upgrading the 787-9s but what's desperate for an upgrade is their 787-8s. I flew HND-SEA and it was dreadful. The seat was falling apart, the monitor was so glary I couldn't see what I was watching even with the shade darkened. There was a time when ANA award seats were plentiful when booked months ahead but no more, even when I search a year ahead, everything is on waitlist. I have given up on them already.
Extremely uncomfortable to do any work on the Finnair seat. I have told the travel agent to never book me on Finnair because of it, but once in a while he comes back and says I should do Finnair because it's cheaper.
Well, duh! But my answer is always no (I think he finally learned).
VERY surprised that ANA would choose this subpar product. The person reading looks like is in an absolutely uncomfortable position.
The ‘big three’ U.S. airlines slip down the SkyTrax World Rankings:
https://www.worldairlineawards.com/worlds-top-100-airlines-2025/
I loooove the finnair no recline seat, best seat in the sky! Tho this looks slightly less comfy for just lounging. Will have to try.
What do you love about it?
This no-cline trend is terrible....when sleeping you're putting your face on where everyone's ass has been...totally shocked the japanese would choose this solution
I assume you would use a pillow wouldn't you? So technically not really in contact with the ass place....
Japanese people (among people from other traditional east Asian cultures) have been known to both sleep and sit on the ground
The seats facing backward look like they have more room with more surface area covered in bed mode.
Personally I like the concept but can't imagine my grandparents finding it easy to "scooch" into and out of bed mode.
I have heard that finnair have had problems with "less mobile" people sliding down into the seat but being unable to wriggle back up again. I expect the cabin crew have been given some advice on how to help such people.
The reduction in cabin size could be interesting interesting. If I'm not mistaken, most ANA has between 40 to 48 J seats on its 787s.
So either the J cabin is shrinking or they're getting rid of more PE or Y seats.
Less moving parts, less maintenance and likelihood of malfunction plus weight of each seat is significantly reduced. And just as importantly, much smaller chance of phones and tablets getting crunched up and causing fire on board.
Flown on the Finnair (for Qantas) and I don't like the no recline. If you are tall it is too hard scooting down since your feet have to fit in a cubie hole. Getting up - you can't bend your knees to easy get out. A big X for me.
I don't want to prerecline. I want to be at exactly 64 degrees
Agreed. During a flight, I wouldn't want to remain in the takeoff position. I'd want a little bit of recline. A type of seat that I'll try to avoid.
It makes big difference in passenger comfort. I’m in a flight NH835, a 787-9, from NRT to CGK while I’m reading this article. I connected in NH007 from SFO to NRT just before boarding the Jakarta flight. I was in F on NH007, which has 8 seats, each with a large 40+ inch screen TV. I slept a few hours in such wide Suite seat. I was able to roll my body from side to...
It makes big difference in passenger comfort. I’m in a flight NH835, a 787-9, from NRT to CGK while I’m reading this article. I connected in NH007 from SFO to NRT just before boarding the Jakarta flight. I was in F on NH007, which has 8 seats, each with a large 40+ inch screen TV. I slept a few hours in such wide Suite seat. I was able to roll my body from side to side. I was expecting ANA’s new Room and Suite on 777x when it is delivered. On 777-300er, the combined square footage of C and F seats took more than 50% of the entire floor of a 777. ANA is profitable without squeezing every passengers in tight space.
No other airlines come close to ANA, not even the expensive Singapore Airlines.
Apples and oranges. Singapore has never been known for having a leading hard product (seat); their reputation is built on their soft product (service).
SQ's primary business seat is from 2013, and 2 generations obsolete.
Looks good and I’m sure from a maintenance perspective these are much cheaper to manage. I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes the norm for business in the future.
I hope ANA provides a better mattress pad like JAL does with airweave. The ANA Room seats are too firm for sleeping, and I like firm!
I wouldn't ride on a plane with backward facing seats.
It’s really no big deal. Once you’ve taken off it doesn’t even feel any different
Plus, the views can be amazing.
Guess you'll be avoiding quite a few airlines then given how common place this has been for several years
Much prefer facing backwards. I also think survival chances are better in unfortunate circumstances ...
And you would be 100% correct.
Backwards seating is safer in essentially all circumstances, especially for children and mobility-limited adults. It's not even close.
https://www.danielstark.com/blog/why-are-rear-facing-seats-safer-for-passengers/
I specifically elect to face backwards on high speed trains. I originally started to do so due to a back issue. I was involved in a crazy short stop when an ICE train hit a person (results not good). Those not facing backwards went flying while I felt almost nothing but curiosity.
Qatar could've gone with something similar on their 787s if they wanted to keep the same layout as the Qsuite.
It looks promising and an improvement over the existing business class 787- having flown it several times it’s definitely a seat for smaller people with a cramped feel and not comfortable at all - let’s hope this does the bill
The seats next to the aisle are wider than the seats next to the window, when reclined? It seems so from the images.
@ Adi -- They're a little wider in areas due to not needing to have access to the aisle in the same way. However, I'd consider that extra space to largely not be usable, at least in a practical way.
That makes sense. Thanks!
It gives you the option to sleep diagonally. Probably useful for taller folks and great for families that enjoy lounging. For the typical business traveler, the privacy of the narrower seat might be preferable.
The only surprise for me would be the monitor being in HD rather than 4K. Everything else was expected from the layout down to the finishes and trim.
Now my question is, would this be for upcoming 789 deliveries only or existing international 787s as well? And what are their plans for the 788s?
They're retrofitting 16 of their 24 LH B787-9
No mention of B787-8
788 gonna retired, old ady, Ana is 788 very first user
Or converted to all-Y Air Japan.