Here is ANA’s controversial new 787 business class
The 787 suites are spacious, but they don’t recline – and you could end up sitting backwards.
By David Flynn, March 30 2026
Japan’s ANA is rolling out the biggest change to its Boeing 787 business class in 15 years, and the new seat is certain to divide passengers.
Dubbed The Room FX (for Future Experience), and based on The Room business class of the Boeing 777, it will launch with the arrival of factory-fresh Dreamliners from August 2026, ahead of retrofit upgrades for ANA’s international 787s in 2027.
ANA's new 'The Room FX' Boeing 787 business class.
Nobody will mind that ANA’s second-gen 787 business class is substantially wider, with the Star Alliance member claiming 27" (69cm) at the waist compared to just under 20" (around 50cm) today.
The addition of a sliding door to the suite’s high 52" (132cm) walls will win favour among those seeking privacy, especially when sleeping during overnight flights.
ANA's new 787 business class features high walls and a sliding privacy door.
But half of all 48 business class passengers will face backwards, due to a unique layout which ANA says “optimises the Boeing 787’s cabin, creating a spatial experience comparable to a larger aircraft and achieving a world-class comfort level.”
Passengers in every second row of ANA's 787 business class will face backwards.
And talking about comfort – how do you feel about a business class seat which doesn’t recline?
ANA's new 787 business class is a non-reclining 'sofa-style' seat.
Instead, this is more like a sofa, and follows the same design principles as Finnair’s love-it-or-hate-it AirLounge business class.
The back of the 787 business class seat is pre-reclined.
You still get a fully lie-flat bed – however, instead of the seat folding down, an adjustable leg-rest panel swings up to create a 76.5" (194cm) surface for sleeping.
'Non-reclining' doesn't mean you miss out on a long flat bed.
The seat’s backrest is pre-reclined, “allowing passengers to relax in a variety of positions similar to lounging on a living room sofa,” ANA says.
ANA suggests you treat its new 787 business class seat like your sofa at home.
At least the other mod cons will be cheered. Travellers will enjoy a 24” monitor with Bluetooth audio streaming, wireless charging, and the now-standard trio of AC, USB-C and USB-A power outlets.
Plenty of high-tech touches in ANA's new 787 business class.
The Room FX represents a massive upgrade from ANA’s current 787 long-range business class – which, while comfortable, is no longer competitive in a sky increasingly filled with modern private suites boasting cutting-edge tech.
ANA launched its current 787 business class in 2011.
ANA says The Room FX will feature on premium 787 routes from Tokyo to Europe and North America.
Also read: Leaked design reveals Singapore Airlines’ new first class
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1280
Looks OK but I do wonder how the pre-reclined position will work when you are eating or typing on a laptop. I notice none of the photos show anyone attempting to do either which makes me think it may be awkward unless you stick a pillow behind your back to sit you up.
12 Dec 2023
Total posts 8
I guess that pillows are going to the heavy lifting
03 May 2013
Total posts 711
Pass. Finnair J, which I've experienced a few times now, and ANA don't seem to factor in how difficult these seats are for the elderly and sometimes less mobile. Personally, I also don't like this seat concept. It stinks of airlines cutting down on maintenance costs and weight at the expense of pax comfort. The seat is very hard and you're constantly adjusting pillows to find a sweet spot. The seat I think worlds for teenagers and kids.
06 Feb 2021
Total posts 74
Any seat on an aircraft with a back that is at a fixed rake has minimal to no appeal. On a long haul flight I want to be able to sit at different angles at different times, upright for eating, some decline if watching the screen, more decline if just resting, and flat for sleeping.
19 Oct 2019
Total posts 10
This looks comfortable ,simpler ,less weight
Backward facing make no difference when you’re at cruising altitude
12 May 2020
Total posts 8
I sat backwards in a Qatar Q-Suite A350 recently. Despite my initial trepidation, it was perfectly fine.
As for non-reclining seats, well, I'll hold judgement until I try it.
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 64
Having tried the similar Finnair business non reclining seat, it’s the pillows that make or break your comfort. They simply weren’t big enough to do the job for me. Will be interesting to see the feedback from ANA passengers.
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 158
The sweet spot for usability, passenger comfort and easier/cheaper maintenance would be a hybrid seat with some parts fixed and other crucial parts for comfort still motorised.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1617
I am not sure about "non-recline" variant and need to try one before final judgement.
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