It would appear that Japan Airlines has plans to introduce an all-new business class product on its Boeing 787s, including those already in the fleet, and those to be delivered in the future. Let’s discuss what we do know, as there are still more questions than answers.
Continue reading: Japan Airlines Plans New Boeing 787 Business Class… But Which Seat?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Rather disappointed that 787-8’s Shell Flat Neo is not being retrofitted with the new configuration. Those business class seats are the ones in desperate need of upgrade as they are relics of early 2010 decade and are uncompetitive to say the least.
My problem with JAL is that I always find the cabins too hot. And maybe it was just bad luck, but on each occasion I had no personal vents to use for cooling.
The original Sky Suite (with the staggered seats) was the best of the three Sky Suite variants in comfort and seat adjustments. Very flexible between lounging and sleeping positions and everything in between.
It didnt have much privacy for aisle seats and aisle access from windows seats were a bit of a challenge. Especially at the bulkhead. Far superior to the similarly aging SQ seats with the angled foot cubby hole.
SSIII with the herringbone pattern was the worst.
Sometimes, a retrofit may not result in an improvement because there are always compromises between seat comfort and flexibility, amount of space, storage and privacy.
LH solution of tiered seats to address this is the worst of all possible solutions.
Some of the oldest 788s are about 13-14 years old or so, so it does not make sense to retrofit them now. But I was thinking, they could transfer the outgoing product onto the earliest 788s and keep them in service for a few more years to maintain consistency, but just like the situation over at CX, there's more to it than logistics and cost, not to mention having to recertify the aircraft and product all over again.
I seriously worry that SKysuite II is going away because this is my fav seat, i don't even mind being in SKysuite II instead of their business class seat on A350. But I understand Skysuite II really takes space so airlines hate this seat...So sad...At least I hope JAL introduces something similar to the new ones on A350
It's frustrating to me that both ANA and JAL have huge 787 fleets but are so stingy on retrofits. In my opinion, JA needs to retrofit all of their long haul 787s, including the -8s, with this new interior, especially the planes with those old angled flat seats. And ANA has a million different 787 configurations, I believe they either need to retrofit all international -9s and -8s with the new Room FX or at least come out with a second still direct aisle access flat bed product for their medium haul -8s (or all -8s) and maybe some -9s too.
Some of JAL and ANA's 788s are from 2012-2013. While it won't make much financial sense, the next best thing would be to transfer some of their outgoing lie-flat seats on the 788s. They still have some life left.
How is that? To the contrary they are about mid life and a seat usually lasts 10-15 years.
I could understand the argument for an early retirement if those are early series frames that are overweight and not as capable as the later ones. Is that the case?
@Ben
Sky Suite 2 is the product on 767. All Apex Suites are marketed as Sky Suite 1.
@Ben - Don’t think you did this intentionally, but the headline “Japan Airlines Plans New Boeing 787 Business Class… But Which Seat?” is misleading.
That headline implies the entire 787 fleet will get a new business class, when in reality it’s only the 787-9’s, and of that fleet it’s only a subset of those 787-9’s that’s getting them.
Could you update to something like “Select Japan Airlines 787’s to get new Business Class” or something similar?
I remember on flight to Honolulu from Nagoya onboard one of their 772ERs, it was really uncomfortable in the middle of the flight to the point that I struggled to breathe and I had to ask the cabin attendant to lower the temperature.
It's common in Japan and South Korea where they have the temperature cranked all the way up as their climates are cold.
The article mentions “The plan is for Japan Airlines to transfer roughly half of its 787-9s to low cost subsidiary ZIPAIR as it takes delivery of new 787-9s.” I thought ZIPAIR was all 787-8’s and the plan was to continue for JAL to transfer additional 787-8’s to ZIPAIR as it receives more 787-9’s. When did JAL change the strategy to give ZIPAIR 787-9’s?
As your article is still guessing here, JAL has updated its Boeing 787-9 business class seats for SEA-NRT and LAX-NRT in summer 2026 to SKY SUITE III reverse herringbone seats. This isn't a guessing game any more.
No plans to change the 2-4-2
The A350-1000 had to shave a bit of the legroom in Y, so it is now marketed as 33-34. But I would expect something similar to be the max reduction. JAL is intending to keep mainly premium and let Zip fight on the price.
The NEO planes are even more in need of refurbishment in Y than they are in J.
@Ben
Apex is not marketed as SSII. Sky Suite II are the seats on the 767. Apex is Sky Suite, or just SS. Sometimes referred to as SS7 or SS8 to distinguish between the 777-300ER and the 787s.
CPH-Flyer, you obviously didn't understand these routes. Last month, they were still equipped with Apex Suites 2-2-2 seats with no direct isle access from the window seats.
They will be equipped with SKY SUITE III soon because of the refitting that is shifting things around.
You clearly were never on a plane with the Apex Suites, they do have direct aisle access from the window seats. The seats are slightly staggered, so there is a passage from the window seats to the aisle.
And yes, I understand those routes very well, I have flown them quite a lot. And they are very often operated by SSIII planes.
Great seats if you're Asian sized....And can somebody please tell them to lower their cabin heat?!...
Most of Japanese and Korean people find that temperature to be optimal. I realize that this is a generalization, but Americans keep their home way colder than the rest of the world.
Agreec. They DO keep their cabins too warm. Only ding for me with Japanese carriers.