Best & worst Economy seats on every Boeing 787
The Dreamliner comes in three lengths — the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 — and almost all fly a 3-3-3 Economy cabin. Here's where to sit (and where not to) on each, plus a seat map for every airline that flies them. Free, no signup. Verified 2026-05.
Why the 787 is a good long-haul jet
- Lower cabin altitude (~6,000 ft) and higher humidity — you arrive less dried-out and jet-lagged.
- Oversized dimmable windows — bigger than any other airliner, with an electronic dimmer instead of a blind.
- Smoother ride — gust-suppression tech damps turbulence.
- The trade-off: most airlines fit 9-abreast (3-3-3), so seats are ~17 in wide — pick your row carefully.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner · 3-3-3 · 180–250 seats
Mid-size Dreamliner on long-haul routes. Typically 31–32 in pitch, 17–18 in wide.
✅ Best Forward Economy rows — quieter and served first.
⛔ Avoid Middle seats B/E/H in the 3-3-3 — two neighbours for solo flyers.
See the full Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner seat map →By airline: American Airlines United British Airways ANA Japan Airlines
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner · 3-3-3 · 250–296 seats
Modern long-haul twin-jet prized for cabin comfort. Typically 31–32 in pitch, 16.2–17.3 in wide.
✅ Best Exit-row windows (e.g. 27A/27L on some United configs).
⛔ Avoid Last rows — galley/lav noise and foot traffic.
See the full Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner seat map →By airline: American Airlines United Lufthansa Air France British Airways KLM Qatar Airways Qantas ANA Air Canada Turkish Airlines Korean Air Etihad Airways Japan Airlines LATAM Airlines
Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner · 3-3-3 · 240–340 seats
Longest Dreamliner, high-density long-haul. Typically 31–32 in pitch, 17–18 in wide.
✅ Best Exit-row windows (config-dependent, e.g. ~row 30).
⛔ Avoid Rear-of-cabin rows — lose A/K windows, near rear lavs/galley.
See the full Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner seat map →By airline: United British Airways KLM Singapore Airlines
How to pick a seat on any 787
The 3-3-3 layout means seats A and the far window are true windows; C and G (the aisles either side of the centre block) are the easy-exit aisles; and D, E, F are the centre block — choose D or G for an aisle, avoid E in the middle. Over-wing rows ride smoothest. Exit rows win on legroom but may not recline. Use the interactive map on each variant's page to tap any seat for the "why".
Frequently asked questions
What is the best seat on a Boeing 787?
The 787 flies a 3-3-3 Economy layout on most airlines, so the standout Economy seats are the over-wing exit rows (extra legroom), the bulkhead behind a forward cabin, and any seat near the front for a faster, quieter exit. Window seats (A and the far-side letter) give you the 787's oversized electronically-dimmed windows. Aisle seats either side of the centre block let you step out without climbing over two people.
What's the difference between the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10?
They're three lengths of the same Dreamliner. The 787-8 is the shortest (around 180–250 Economy seats), the 787-9 is stretched (around 250–296), and the 787-10 is the longest (up to ~340). The seat experience is very similar — almost all fly 3-3-3 in Economy at roughly 31–32 in pitch — so a good seat on one is a good seat on the others; the longer jets just have more rows and a longer walk to the back.
Is the Boeing 787 comfortable in Economy?
The cabin itself is one of the most comfortable in the sky: a lower cabin altitude (pressurised to about 6,000 ft instead of 8,000 ft), higher humidity, smoother ride, and large dimmable windows — all of which cut jet-lag and dryness on long-haul. The catch is that most airlines fit 9 seats per row (3-3-3) rather than 8, so seats are a touch narrower (~17 in). Choose your row well and it's a great long-haul jet.
Which seats should I avoid on a Boeing 787?
Avoid the very last rows (limited or no recline, and galley/lavatory noise and foot traffic), the row directly in front of an exit (often no recline), and bulkhead seats if you want under-seat storage during take-off and landing. Middle seats in the centre block are the ones to give up last.
Which airlines fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner?
Dozens of carriers worldwide operate the 787, including United, American, British Airways, Qantas, ANA, Japan Airlines, Air Canada, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Etihad. This guide links a seat map for each airline-and-787 combination we cover.
Is this a SeatGuru alternative for the 787?
Yes. SeatGuru shut down in November 2025, so this is a free, no-signup replacement: pick your exact 787 variant for a colour-coded best/worst Economy seat map. Our guidance is by aircraft type (airlines tweak pitch and rows), so for an airline-exact map we link aeroLOPA and SeatMaps.com.
⚠️ General guidance by aircraft type — exact rows, pitch and exits vary by airline and cabin reconfiguration. Check your airline's own seat map or aeroLOPA before selecting. Verified 2026-05.