I don’t make this statement lightly, but I’d like to nominate a contender for the title of “world’s worst purpose-built business class seat” (I’ll have to update my list!).
Royal Jordanian’s odd staggered business class seats
In recent times, Royal Jordanian has been modernizing its fleet with Embraer E190/195-E2s, which are large, latest generation regional jets.
The airline flies these planes on some rather long missions, including flights to Europe that are approaching five hours. For example, I just flew on the E190-E2 from Amman (AMM) to Frankfurt (FRA), and I was onboard the plane for a little over five hours.
Historically, Royal Jordanian’s previous generation Embraer aircraft had business class seats in a 1-2 layout, compared to the 2-2 layout in economy, which is what you’d expect for such a plane. However, the airline has decided to introduce a new product on its latest jets, in a 2-2 configuration… with a catch.
The seats are staggered, which is to say that the window and aisle seats are offset from one another, with the window seats essentially being halfway between the aisle seats. I imagine the intent here is twofold:
- To offer business class passengers a little more privacy, compared to sitting immediately next to one another
- To make the seats a little bit wider than standard economy seats, because the way they’re staggered allows the width to be increased slightly (but not by much)
So in order to get into the window seat, you need to step over the person in the aisle seat. Even when the seat is fully upright, it’s a tight opening you have to enter through.
The seats have a shell design, so to recline your seat you slide forward, and then there’s basically no opening between seats.
Was this seat better or worse than I was expecting?
Like I said, this was my first time flying in this configuration. I had seen pictures of it, and I’m a huge product geek, so I had wondered if maybe it’s actually better than I had assumed, or something.
I’ve gotta say, I wasn’t impressed at all. My opinion is that this is the worst purpose-built business class seat out there. In other words, I’m not going to say this is worse than business class on intra-Europe flights, as there is marginally more width, and significantly more legroom in this layout.
What stood out to me the most isn’t how the seats feel rather tight, or how it’s difficult to get into the window seats. Instead, what stood out to me is how damn awkward it is to sit in the window seat. You literally feel like you’re being watched by the person seated in the aisle seat.
That’s not because they’re eavesdropping, but because they’re seated inches behind you, so it’s almost like you’re on display for them. Making it even more fun is that on Royal Jordanian it’s often going to be an air marshal or deadheading pilot staring at you (or in the case of my flight, both were in my row). I’m not sure why they couldn’t at least put little privacy partitions between seats, because this is infinitely more awkward than having someone seated next to you, in a more traditional layout.
As Royal Jordanian modernizes its fleet, it’s really disappointing to see the airline move in this direction. Not only is the Embraer business class hard product way worse than before, but my much bigger issue is that these planes are flying much longer flights than before.
In the past, they’d mainly be used for short hops within the region, while now they’re operating some of the longer missions to Europe, replacing planes with much more comfortable interiors.
It almost feels like Royal Jordanian realizes that most service from Europe to Amman is on European carriers with the typical intra-Europe business class, so that’s now what the airline is trying to compete with. It’s less than ideal, for sure, and I’d avoid this product in the future, especially if traveling alone.
If I did have to travel in this product, I’d choose the aisle seat in row three, so that no one is looking at you (though one of those two aisle seats is typically blocked for an air marshal).
Bottom line
Royal Jordanian decided to get creative with its business class business class hard product on new Embraer jets, and not for the better. The airline has introduced a staggered business class product that I had never experienced before.
Obviously the intent is to maintain the 2-2 density, while offering a bit more privacy compared to standard economy seats. However, I think this product really misses the mark. It’s not terribly comfortable, but what bothers me much more is how awkward it feels.
What do you make of this strange Royal Jordanian Embraer business class seat?
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