Boeing 787 Business Class Reimagined through Sofa-Style Design by ANA's The Room FX
ANA's Room FX Business Class Revolutionises Mid-Sized Aircraft Comfort
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has unveiled the Room FX business class, a groundbreaking redesign that challenges traditional business class layouts on mid-sized widebody aircraft. This innovative approach prioritises comfort, privacy, and spaciousness, setting a new benchmark for premium accommodations.
The Room FX on 787-9 Dreamliners boasts a unique 1-2-1 alternating forward and backward-facing staggered configuration. This layout, typically found on larger aircraft, has been successfully adapted to the narrower 5.49-meter-wide Boeing 787 fuselage by seat maker Safran, showcasing an impressive space efficiency achievement.
ANA has reduced seat density, offering only six rows of business class between the first and second doors, compared to other airlines that squeeze in up to seven rows or around 30 seats. Across two cabins, the product totals 48 suites, emphasising passenger space over seating capacity.
Each suite is a private, self-contained space with high sidewalls and sliding doors, providing a cocoon-like environment that enhances privacy and offers a larger, premium feel. State-of-the-art amenities include a spacious side console with concealed storage, a large 24-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth audio, wireless charging, and multiple power outlets (USB-A, USB-C, AC).
Unlike conventional seats that rely on mechanical reclining, the Room FX uses a sofa-style design where the leg rest is the only moving part to transition the seat into a fully flat bed. This system preserves more personal space and reduces complexity while delivering full flatbed comfort.
The entertainment system in The Room FX is designed to support multitasking during long flights, allowing passengers to browse content, work on their laptops, and maintain conversations more naturally. The screen positioning and viewing angles work better with the sofa-style seating position.
The Room FX functions like a living room sofa with a fixed backrest and an adjustable leg rest. USB-C ports provide fast charging for larger devices, while the wireless zones handle everyday items without requiring conscious effort. The alternating forward and aft-facing layout creates visual interest while optimising space utilisation in ways that feel natural.
The door design contributes to the overall cabin aesthetic, creating a sense of residential comfort that's rare in airline design. The Bluetooth audio capability in The Room FX allows passengers to use their own wireless headphones directly with the entertainment system. Each seat measures 41.5 inches at its widest point and extends to 76.5 inches when configured as a bed.
The Room FX, designed in partnership with Safran Seats and British design studio Acumen, promises to redefine business class on smaller widebodies by prioritising spaciousness and privacy over seat density. This approach contrasts with industry trends of maximising seat numbers on the Dreamliner and sets a new benchmark for premium mid-size aircraft accommodations.
[1] safranseats.com/room-fx [2] www.airlineratings.com/news/all-nippon-airways-unveils-new-business-class-cabin-room-fx/ [3] www.ananews.jp/en/news/2021/03/11/room-fx-business-class-cabin-introduced-on-boeing-787-9-dreamliner/ [4] www.airlineratings.com/news/all-nippon-airways-unveils-new-business-class-cabin-room-fx/ [5] www.ananews.jp/en/news/2021/03/11/room-fx-business-class-cabin-introduced-on-boeing-787-9-dreamliner/
- The Room FX business class, a new product from All Nippon Airways (ANA), collaboratively developed with Safran Seats and British design studio Acumen, is challenging the traditional layouts in the aviation industry by prioritizing spaciousness and privacy on mid-sized widebody aircraft, such as the 787-9 Dreamliner.
- Moreover, this innovative design aims to revolutionize finance by potentially attracting more passengers willing to pay premium prices for enhanced comfort and technology-integrated amenities, thus setting a new benchmark for the industry.
- Finally, technology plays a crucial role in the Room FX, as it offers state-of-the-art features like a 24-inch 4K entertainment screen, Bluetooth audio, wireless charging, and various power outlets, allowing passengers to work, entertain, and connect seamlessly during transportation, ultimately enhancing their overall travel experience.
