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.
In this post:
Japan Airlines Boeing 787 cabin retrofit project announced
Boeing has just put out a press release revealing that it will be partnering with Japan Airlines to upgrade the cabins of its Boeing 787-9s. For context, Japan Airlines currently has a fleet of 55 Boeing 787s (23 787-8s and 22 787-9s), and the airline also has 10 more 787-9s on order. Per the announcement:
Boeing and Japan Airlines (JAL) announced an agreement to upgrade the interiors and in-flight connectivity on eleven 787 Dreamliners.
The modifications will be performed by Boeing and will introduce JAL’s latest cabin interior design to existing 787-9s in the JAL international fleet, bringing them into alignment with the design and configuration of JAL’s planned deliveries of new 787-9 airplanes.
As you can see, the idea is that the interiors of 11 existing Dreamliners will be updated, so that they’re in line with the planned interiors for 10 upcoming Dreamliners. While I think we all assumed that Japan Airlines would introduce new interiors on its upcoming 787s, there has been no such announcement up until this point.
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, so it sounds to me like all 787-9s might eventually feature the updated cabins (while nothing will change on the 787-8s).
It’s not surprising to see the oneworld airline investing in its Dreamliners, especially with Star Alliance rival All Nippon Airways also rolling out new 787 business class seats.
What new business class seat will Japan Airlines select?
For context, Japan Airlines currently has two types of business class seats on its 787-9s. Roughly half of the planes have Apex Suites, which are marketed as the Sky Suite. These cabins are in a 2-2-2 configuration, but are much more comfortable and spacious than some people might assume (I rank this as being among the world’s 10 best business class seats).
Meanwhile roughly the other half of the 787-9s have Safran Aries seats, which are marketed as the Sky Suite III. These are reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, and unfortunately they’re surprisingly tight, among my least favorite reverse herringbone seats out there.
So, which new business class seat will Japan Airlines select? The press release suggests it will “introduce JAL’s latest cabin interior design” to these planes. Japan Airlines’ latest cabins are on the Airbus A350-1000, where you’ll find the incredible Safran Unity seats.
Some people might interpret this to mean that the planes are getting Safran Unity seats, though I wouldn’t count on that. It’s possible, as those seats can be installed on the 787, but I suspect “latest cabins” just refers to whatever might be planned for upcoming 787s.
Since Japan Airlines is partnering with Boeing on this project, is it possible the airline just selects the Elevate Ascent seat? This is the generic new reverse herringbone seat with a door that’s specifically designed for the 787, and it’s increasingly popular, with straightforward certification? It sure seems to me like that’s what we could see, but who knows…
Anyway, we’ll mark this as “developing” for now, and should learn more in the near future.
Bottom line
Japan Airlines plans to introduce new cabins on its Boeing 787-9s, including a new business class. This will apply to 11 existing Dreamliners, plus the 10 additional ones that are on order, so we can expect the entire 787-9 fleet will eventually have these seats.
The airline hasn’t yet announced what seats we should expect, though, so all we can do is speculate. I’ll be sure to report back when we learn more.
What do you make of Japan Airlines introducing a new 787 business class?
Great seats if you're Asian sized....And can somebody please tell them to lower their cabin heat?!...
Agreec. They DO keep their cabins too warm. Only ding for me with Japanese carriers.
@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.
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.
The same applies to YVR-NRT and SFO-NRT.
That is pretty common for those routes. And nothing to do with the refit.
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.
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?
@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?
@Ben
Sky Suite 2 is the product on 767. All Apex Suites are marketed as Sky Suite 1.
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...
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.
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
Should we expect the Y cabin to be retrofitted to 9 abreast as well ?
Likely losing abrest or 34' Pitch, could be both....
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.
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.
Not bad luck - none of JAL’s widebodies have gasped vents.
Gasper* my apologies for the error.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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?
The NEO planes are even more in need of refurbishment in Y than they are in J.