Launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) unveiled the cabin layout for their Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft at the Paris Air Show this week. A short video appears below highlighting some of the amenities of their long-haul version of the aircraft in a two-cabin layout. Business Class features fully lie-flat beds, 17” touch screen LCD monitors, universal AC power, a USB port, iPod jack, and all seats have direct access to the aisle. Economy class is in a 2-4-2 configuration with a (sort of) throwback to the days when the middle section of seats had additional room between the pairs of two as was seen on many 747s, DC10s & L1011s from the distant past.
An ANA Senior Vice President was quoted as saying their eventual fleet of 55 787s will be divided among short-haul flights (Japan & vicinity), and long-haul routes to Europe. The actual routes will be announced at a later date. As it stands, the carrier will begin taking delivery in August this year, eventually totaling 14 by next March, and 10 more in 2013.
The short-haul configuration will also sport a two-cabin layout, but Business Class here will see cradle seats in lieu of the lie-flat long-haul offering. Additional details can be found in the official announcement from ANA. ANA is a Star Alliance member and you can bet I’ll be making an award booking to experience Boeing’s revolutionary aircraft, perhaps as soon as this year.
(Hat tip: Australian Business Traveler)
Cool. Can’t wait to (finally) fly on a 787.
Now if they can only get this bird certified by the FAA!
Good for ANA. They did the right thing going with the 2-4-2 configuration. Some airline (don’t know the name) has elected to go with a 3-3-3 configuration. A pathetic misuse of such a great plane. How are they going to promote that? “50% more middle seats that the competition” lol. But that is what it amounts to. Good job ANA.
In my opinion limiting seating density is very important for ANY widebody aircraft whether the 767, 777, 747, 787. Since these aircraft are used primarily for long-haul routes of 6 hours or more, comfort SHOULD be a major consideration. Unfortunatley, many airlines lack the confidence to set themselves apart by offering an appropriate comfort level for the length of flight. I know many people who will not travel long distances due to extreme discomfort present on many international flights. Many cruise ships offer free airfare in coach. Big deal if you have to sit crammed in a seat for 10 hours on your way to Rome with little to eat.