Is 59A really bad on a 787-9?

[bPeteb]

Looking to book my flight to JNB and I can select 59A and B for me and bAlt. Seat Guru marks the seat as red. Limited recline and proximity to loos. I like the idea of a two and row 59 is our only option. We used to pick these twos once upon a time on 747s and loved them. Does anyone have any experience with these seats?

 

[MelbFlyer]

I haven't had a flight on QF on a B787, but I have had seats 79H and 79J on a QF A380 - it was a pair seat as well but with no one in front of us / exit door seat.

Legroom was obviously good / unlimited with no one in front (we did QF94 LAX to MEL back in 2019), but people did tend to crowd around near the bathrooms / just stand up to stretch.

At times too, some people did bump into my foot (I was in 79H) when walking by. Seat width was slightly smaller too due to the non-movable armrest.

It had both positives and negatives. If I was to do long haul economy, I'd pay for the seats again just to have no one in front of me / unlimited legroom.

From the thread below however, it seems that the 787 seating is bad overall, no matter what seat you're in, if in economy.

B789 - worst ever Qantas economy long haul Seats

Just adding two cents on my most recent and possibly worst ever Qantas economy long haul from Sydney to Dallas on a 757-9. That 9 seat across is a killer - there was so little space that I could barely eat the lacklustre meal because I couldn't move my arms without elbowing my neighbour. The...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[bcworld]

If I was travelling as a couple...I'd probably take 59AB. The Dreamliner seats are very narrow...in a 3 you're at the mercy of the third person. You're likely to end up shoulder to shoulder.

Seatguru's red, yellow, greens are always based on generic advice, rather than actual experiences people have on each aircraft. And another thing, Seatguru is defunct...it has not received any updates (and will not) since Feb 2020 or earlier...I appreciate it probably still does carry the correct seatmap for QF 787.

 

[bPeteb]

I haven't had a QF flight on a B787, but I have had 79H and 79J on a QF A380 - it was a pair seat as well but with no one in front exit row seat.

Legroom was obviously good with no one in front (we did QF94 LAX to MEL back in 2019), but people did tend to crowd around near the bathrooms / just stand up to stretch.

It had both positives and negatives.

From the thread below, it seems that the 787 seating is bad overall, no matter what seat you're in, if in economy.

B789 - worst ever Qantas economy long haul Seats

Just adding two cents on my most recent and possibly worst ever Qantas economy long haul from Sydney to Dallas on a 757-9. That 9 seat across is a killer - there was so little space that I could barely eat the lacklustre meal because I couldn't move my arms without elbowing my neighbour. The...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Thanks MF. Yes, I’ve read that thread and looked to see if anyone mentioned sitting in the row at the back. We could pay the $180 each for exit row but we still have someone beside us. Decisions, decisions

 

[harvyk]

As a plat, you're likely to get a shadow, so personally I would go for a row of three and do an A and C / H and K and hope you don't get anyone in the middle.

Every seat on the B787 in Y should be red on seat guru, they are not good seats at all, narrow, hard and generally uncomfortable (although better than some other airlines in Y thanks to the slightly more legroom)

 

[serfty]

They are my go to seats.

The seat selection map is misleading; B and the J seats are behind the C and H seats of the row in front.

Recline is not limited. You get additional underseat storage with the A or K seats just in front.

Here is the space to the right of 59K:



More:





Note they appear to be coveted as alternate crew rest, so allocate early and allocate often.

 

[ronlon]

I took note of these seats while sitting a few rows forward on a HNL to Mel flight and they looked preferable to what I had and wished I had booked them. It was an overnight flight so there were not many passengers waiting for the toilet. BTW the entire B787 Y class experience was not pleasant in the first place so how low can it get ? I would give 59a and 59b a go. You could however book two seats near the back with a an empty seat between the two of you and see what happens.

 

[bPeteb]

If I was travelling as a couple...I'd probably take 59AB. The Dreamliner seats are very narrow...in a 3 you're at the mercy of the third person. You're likely to end up shoulder to shoulder.

Seatguru's red, yellow, greens are always based on generic advice, rather than actual experiences people have on each aircraft. And another thing, Seatguru is defunct...it has not received any updates (and will not) since Feb 2020 or earlier...I appreciate it probably still does carry the correct seatmap for QF 787.

Thank you. I’ll get this done

 

[bPeteb]

Thank you everyone. Pictures are terrific serfty. I’ve taken 59A and after a lot of apparent effort and eventually the need to call me back, bronze bAlt is in 59B. Bookings are linked and we’ll both put in for upgrades. I understand the sitting one apart idea but I’d hate to not end up with a seat between us.

 

[ronlon]

Thank you everyone. Pictures are terrific Serfty. I’ve taken 59A and after a lot of apparent effort and eventually the need to call me back, bronze bAlt is in 59B. Bookings are linked and we’ll both put in for upgrades. I understand the sitting one apart idea but I’d hate to not end up with a seat between us.

let us know how it turn out especially if the recline turns out to be less than the other seats

 

[bPeteb]

let us know how it turn out especially if the recline turns out to be less than the other seats

Will do if the upgrades don’t come through

 

[serfty]

let us know how it turn out especially if the recline turns out to be less than the other seats

Recline is the same as any other economy seats.

Also, if you reach around behind 59K there a narrow ledge (top surface of a storage compartment) where small stuff can be placed temporarily (I found this useful while reclining).

 

[tdimdad]

That kind of a pair is nice when you are travelling with +1 and they also give you more elbow room because there's empty space on both sides.

I generally try to avoid seats next to the toilets because of people queueing but that's a personal preference. Besides, in this particular case, the smart ones queue in the rear emergency exit area where there's more room to stretch while they wait, and this probably reduces the congregating of people next to your seat.

 

[dylarr]

They are my go to seats.

Do you find the closeness to the loo noticeable/bothersome?
I've always given them a miss for this reason but perhaps should give them a go sometime.

 

[serfty]

Do you find the closeness to the loo noticeable/bothersome?
I've always given them a miss for this reason but perhaps should give them a go sometime.

I do not find any issue. A noise loud enough to disturb me more than normal would be likely noticeable to most people in the cabin.

 

[justinbrett]

I liked the equivalent seats on the 744 - although there was about 3-4 rows of pairs from memory.

Was a long wait to get off though.

 

[serfty]

...
Was a long wait to get off though.

Still is from these seats ...

 

[tdimdad]

Was a long wait to get off though.

"Qantas will now introduce priority exit. Would all business class and our Platinum / Emerald passengers line up on the isles, please..."

 

[ronlon]

Recline is the same as any other economy seats.

Also, if you reach around behind 59K there a narrow ledge (top surface of a storage compartment) where small stuff can be placed temporarily (I found this useful while reclining).

Thanks Serfty ! also thanks in relation to proximity to toilet noise commentary ! In reality I expect that I will need to fly B787 economy class again at some stage in the future and this really helps with seat selection.