JAL continues low-density 787 configuration trend with plan for 186 seats

Japan Airlines (JAL) will configure its B787-8 in a two-class configuration seating 186 passengers across 42 seats in a 2-2-2 business class configuration and 144 economy class seats in a 2-4-2 economy class configuration. JAL has elected not to feature, at least initially, the first class and premium economy class on its other long-haul aircraft, the B777.

JAL plans to deploy its B787 on a new Tokyo Narita-Boston route from 22-Apr-2012, as well as on existing routes prior to that. JAL's low density option follows a decision from launch customer and operator All Nippon Airways (ANA) to configure its long-haul international B787 fleet with only 158 seats, or 28 fewer seats than JAL.

Both ANA And JAL will have a lower configuration density than Boeing's "typical" three-class configuration plan of 242 seats, as stipulated in a Mar-2011 Airport Compatibility Brochure for the B787. LOT plans to outfit its B787 with 252 seats, and United 219 seats.