ANA’s New Business Class: Bigger, Better and Bolder
ANA is rolling out a fresh business class on its Boeing 787‑9s that promises to be the widest in the sky. The new suite, called The Room FX, builds on a design that first appeared on 777‑300ERs in 2019. While the original version measured up to 38 inches wide, the FX model stretches that width to 41.5 inches thanks to clever use of space and a sofa‑style layout.
A Roomier Cabin Density
ANA chose to fit 48 seats—instead of the typical 64 on a 787‑9. This gives each passenger more floor area, similar to what first class offers on other aircraft. The result is a room that feels twice as spacious as most competitors, even though the underlying reclining mechanism remains simple.
Innovative Seat Design
Unlike a traditional lie‑flat seat that uses motors and tracks, The Room FX relies on:
- A fixed backrest
- A manually flipped leg rest
Removing heavy moving parts lightens the seat and frees up space, allowing the wider profile to fit within the 787‑9’s narrower fuselage. Passengers still enjoy:
- A full‑height privacy door
- A 24‑inch screen with Bluetooth audio
- Wireless charging
Collaborative Design Effort
ANA’s partner in the design effort is Safran Seats, together with a British studio that helped create the original suite. The FX version also features:
- A longer bed (76.5 inches compared to 72 inches on the 777 model)
- Narrower privacy doors and curved backrests that squeeze extra width without compromising safety
Competitive Edge
When compared to other 787‑9 business classes, The Room FX stands out for its width:
- United’s Elevated: 72 lie‑flat seats, ~20 inches wide
- American Airlines: 51 seats, ~22.5 inches wide
- Riyadh Air: 32 business seats, similar width
ANA’s 41.5‑inch suites give passengers more room to stretch out—a key selling point for long flights.
Rollout Schedule
- August 2026: First FX‑equipped 787‑9s begin flying, with three new aircraft already slated for service.
- 2027 onward: ANA plans to retrofit an additional 16 planes, gradually bringing the wider business class onto many of its long‑haul routes from Tokyo to North America and Europe.
