Japan Airlines Sky Wider II seats – huh? 

As I mentioned earlier – it seems the Japan Airlines are converting some of their Boeing 787 operations into something a bit more comfortable down the back of the plane.

Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.

One of my major complaints about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (and I know I’m not alone on this one) is the implementation of 9 across seating in economy class.

And it’s not pleasant – even if your sat in a row with an empty seat.

It seems Japan Airlines have taken this on board and are rolling out a new product they like to call “Sky Wider II”.

So what’s the big fuss? It appears that Japan airlines had been think of the economy class passenger experience, and on some routes is operating 2-4-2 formation seating in Economy Class.

The seats themselves look a little like this.

Japan Airlines Sky Wider II seats – Image, JAL.

Seating is 2-4-2 (8 across), putting this back to how some of the first Boeing 787s were configured. In addition, seat pitch has been improved with a 33″ pitch. Or an inch extra in terms of seat width and seat pitch.

The seats are equipped with a 10.6″ screen for IFE purposes. For those of you with your own devices, AC power is under the seat too.

In Economy Class terms – this is comfortable.

However, this does come at a cost to the airline – who publish 787s to have a much lower seat count with Sky Wider II installed:

       Business   Premium Economy   Economy   Total 
787-8     38            35            88       161
787-9     44            35           115       194

Japan Airlines have published a list of routes where Sky Wider II will be flying, and it could be worth checking it out if you’re heading on these routes.

Routes include, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Helsinki, New York, Paris, Delhi and Dallas Fort Worth. Check for SS8/SS9 when booking to verify the seat option.

I’m actually amazed an airline has had the guts to lower the seat count on a new plane and improve passenger comfort – and I’m late to the game in realising Japan Airlines have made that jump.

I just wish other airlines could either more passenger friendly seats when they deploy Boeing 787 Dreamliners…

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