The Airlines Launching All-New Business Class Suites On The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner In 2026

The current trend in new business class product development isn’t necessarily focused on making seats physically larger or introducing radically innovative designs. Instead, the emphasis has shifted towards optimizing space efficiency, enhancing ergonomics, integrating privacy doors, and significantly upgrading in-flight technology. A prime example is the Collins Aerospace Elements suite, which, while bearing a strong resemblance to its predecessors like the reverse-herringbone Collins Elevation and Super Diamond, incorporates crucial improvements such as support for larger, higher-resolution screens and a more generous footwell. These incremental yet impactful improvements collectively elevate the premium cabin experience, marking an exciting and dynamic period for the industry.

The Seats That You Can Already Fly

United Airlines has notably taken an early lead, having now received four Boeing 787-9s featuring its new ‘Elevated’ interiors. This comprehensive cabin upgrade extends beyond business class, introducing the state-of-the-art Elevate Ascent for its acclaimed Polaris business class, complemented by an exclusive front-row Polaris Studio, along with refreshed Premium Plus and economy products. These meticulously redesigned aircraft, which began operating revenue flights from San Francisco to key domestic hubs like Washington-Dulles and Houston, signify a strategic pivot for United in solidifying its premium offering. The international debut of these enhanced 787-9s is set for April 22, serving United’s evening departure from San Francisco to the vital Asian gateway of Singapore, with service to London from San Francisco commencing on April 30. This rollout underscores United’s commitment to delivering a consistent, high-quality premium experience on its most important long-haul routes.

Meanwhile, Air India, under the ambitious transformation spearheaded by the Tata Group, received its first purpose-built 787-9, registered VT-AWA, in January, with the aircraft entering service the following month. This delivery is particularly significant as all other 787-9s in Air India’s fleet were previously operated by Vistara and retain their original interiors. VT-AWA, however, proudly showcases the Elevate Ascent for business class. This selection marks a notable diversification in Air India’s premium cabin strategy, as it differs from the Collins Horizon suites installed on its ex-Aeroflot Airbus A350s, the Recaro R7s slated for future A350 deliveries, and the Collins Elevation earmarked for retrofitted Boeing 777s. This varied approach, while offering choice, also presents a challenge in maintaining a uniform brand experience across its rapidly expanding and modernizing long-haul fleet. VT-AWA has primarily been deployed on routes connecting Mumbai to Frankfurt, a crucial European business hub, and between Mumbai and Delhi, highlighting its role in both international and high-demand domestic sectors.

On April 7, 2026, Jetstar, the low-cost subsidiary of Qantas, introduced VH-VKK, its first refurbished 787-8, into service on the Melbourne to Phuket route. This aircraft has since expanded its operations to include Melbourne to Singapore and Brisbane to Bangkok. Jetstar’s approach to premium travel, however, diverges significantly from full-service carriers. While the aircraft features new business class and economy seats, Jetstar, aligning with its low-cost model, opted for the Recaro PL3530 recliner seat for its business class. This popular model is more commonly found in premium economy cabins on traditional airlines, signaling Jetstar’s strategy to offer an elevated yet affordable premium experience. The business class cabin has been notably enlarged from 21 to 44 seats, reflecting a demand for this product. A striking departure from industry norms is the absence of seatback screens in this refurbished aircraft, with entertainment presumably relying on passengers’ personal devices, a cost-saving measure typical of low-cost carriers. This move allows Jetstar to target a segment of travelers seeking comfort and space without the full bells and whistles of a legacy carrier’s business class.

Alaska Airlines: April 28, 2026

April 28, 2026, marks a historic milestone for Alaska Airlines as it launches its inaugural long-haul Boeing 787-9 route from Seattle to Rome. While Alaska already sells tickets on routes from Seattle to Tokyo-Narita and Seoul, these flights are currently branded under Hawaiian Airlines, even as Hawaiian’s 787s are gradually being repainted into Alaska’s livery following their integration into the Alaska Air Group. The Seattle to Rome route, however, will be distinctly branded as Alaska Airlines, serving as the official launchpad for the carrier’s new long-haul onboard experience, which will subsequently extend to the Tokyo-Narita and Seoul routes.

This new long-haul experience will feature Alaska Airlines-uniformed flight attendants and innovative catering options designed to showcase the culinary heritage of the Pacific Northwest. Business class passengers will be treated to premium amenity kits featuring products from Salt & Stone, alongside updated bedding thoughtfully designed in collaboration with Seattle-based brand Filson, emphasizing local partnerships and a regional identity. A notable initial omission, however, is onboard Wi-Fi, as Alaska’s Boeing 787-9s currently lack any such system. The airline has, however, committed to introducing complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi across its 787 fleet by 2027, with a phased rollout beginning on Embraer E175s in 2025-2026 and Boeing 737s in 2026. This staggered approach reflects the complexity of fleet-wide technology upgrades.

Crucially, while the soft product will be entirely new, the hard product for the Seattle-Rome route will utilize the same former Hawaiian 787-9s already in service. These aircraft feature the highly regarded Elevate Ascent business class seats, and no immediate retrofit is planned for this specific route launch. The Ascent seat is rapidly gaining traction among 787 operators globally, having been selected by prominent carriers such as Qatar Airways and American Airlines, in addition to Air India, Alaska/Hawaiian, and United. Its popularity stems from its highly customizable, space-efficient reverse herringbone design, which was specifically engineered for the 787’s unique fuselage dimensions. Elevate Aircraft Seating, a joint venture partially owned by Boeing, developed the Ascent, ensuring its seamless integration and optimized performance on the Dreamliner. This strategic choice positions Alaska to enter the long-haul market with a competitive and well-regarded hard product.

All Nippon Airways: August 2026

All Nippon Airways (ANA), a global leader in premium cabin innovation, first introduced its acclaimed business class product, ‘The Room’, on select Boeing 777-300ERs in 2019. To this day, ‘The Room’ remains widely regarded as one of the finest business class seats in the world, often drawing comparisons to the exceptional Qatar Airways QSuite for its spaciousness and privacy. While ‘The Room’ has only been available on ten of ANA’s thirteen 777-300ERs, the airline made a significant announcement in 2025: its entire international 787-9 fleet would undergo a comprehensive cabin overhaul, including the introduction of ‘The Room FX’ (for Future eXperience). The highly anticipated ‘The Room FX’ was officially unveiled in January 2026, generating considerable excitement among aviation enthusiasts and premium travelers.

‘The Room FX’ was meticulously designed in collaboration with Acumen and will be supplied by Safran, building upon the foundational Safran Fusio seat that ‘The Room’ is based on, but incorporating several key improvements tailored for the 787. These enhancements naturally include cutting-edge technological updates, such as USB-C ports and wireless charging capabilities, catering to the demands of modern travelers. Crucially, ‘The Room FX’ directly addresses ‘The Room’s’ primary perceived limitation: its bed length. While ‘The Room’ offered a 72-inch (183 cm) bed, ‘The Room FX’ will boast an impressive 76.5 inches (194 centimeters) of sleeping space, a significant improvement for taller passengers.

Given the 787’s narrower fuselage compared to the 777, ‘The Room FX’ will inherently be slightly narrower than its predecessor. Another design evolution is the absence of a traditional reclining feature; instead, the seats will be pre-reclined, with a manual leg-rest flipping upwards to form the full-flat bed. This design philosophy is reminiscent of Finnair’s innovative AirLounge business class seats, which have generally received positive feedback for their comfort and space efficiency. ANA anticipates that the first 787-9 equipped with ‘The Room FX’ will enter service in August 2026, with all subsequent international configuration 787-9 deliveries featuring this advanced new product, ensuring a consistent premium experience across its modern Dreamliner fleet.

LOT Polish Airlines: Q3 2026

LOT Polish Airlines, with its current fleet of 15 Boeing 787s (eight 787-8s and seven 787-9s), has long recognized the need to modernize its premium cabins. The airline’s existing Safran Aura Lite seats, configured six-abreast on its Dreamliners, represent an older lie-flat model that is increasingly uncompetitive in today’s market, where direct aisle access is widely considered a minimum expectation for a premium business class product. Fortunately, LOT is poised to embark on a significant cabin refurbishment program for its 787-8 fleet, introducing the Recaro R7 seat for business class.

First announced in 2023, the carrier has confirmed that the 787-8 fleet will be the initial recipient of these new seats. While the 787-9s are not part of this immediate retrofit plan, industry analysts anticipate that they may be refurbished in the future to ensure fleet consistency and maintain a competitive edge across LOT’s long-haul operations. The Recaro R7, formerly known as the CL6720, is a state-of-the-art staggered seat offering direct aisle access for every passenger and integrated privacy doors, enhancing the exclusivity of the premium cabin. The thoughtful configuration of the center suites means that every other row will feature desirable ‘honeymoon seats’, appealing to couples traveling together. Passengers will also benefit from a host of upgraded technology, including convenient USB-C ports, wireless charging capabilities, and a crisp 17.3-inch (44 centimeter) 4K display with Bluetooth connectivity for personal audio devices.

The first retrofitted 787-8 is expected to enter service in the third quarter of 2026, though LOT has maintained a relatively low profile regarding the project since its initial announcement, suggesting that delays are a possibility in complex refurbishment programs. Beyond business class, LOT’s cabin overhaul will also include the installation of the Recaro PL3530 for premium economy, providing a significant upgrade for that cabin, and the Recaro R3 (formerly branded as the CL3810) for economy class, ensuring a refreshed and improved experience across all cabin classes on its 787-8 fleet. This comprehensive upgrade represents a crucial step for LOT in enhancing its passenger offering and reinforcing its position in the competitive European long-haul market.

Japan Airlines, Possibly In 2027

In a significant joint announcement in February 2026, Japan Airlines (JAL) and Boeing revealed their collaboration on upgrading the interiors of 11 of JAL’s 787-9s. While specific details remain limited, this initiative is poised to unify JAL’s premium offering across its modern long-haul fleet. JAL currently operates a diverse fleet of 22 787-9s, with ten featuring 44 business class seats based on the well-regarded Collins Aerospace Apex Suites, and twelve featuring the Safran Aries (split between eight aircraft with 28 business class seats and four with 52). This new agreement aims to bring these interiors up to the carrier’s latest and highly praised standards, which were first introduced in 2024 on its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

JAL’s A350-1000s boast the Safran Unity for business class, a sophisticated staggered seat with privacy doors that has garnered widespread acclaim as one of the industry’s premier business class products. While the Safran Unity seat is designed to be compatible with both the A350 and the 787, JAL’s specific version of the Unity is highly customized for the A350’s wider cabin. This presents a potential challenge for direct integration into the narrower 787 fuselage. JAL would likely need either a slightly narrower, re-engineered version of the Unity to fit the 787’s dimensions, which is a strong possibility given Safran’s flexibility, or select an alternative seat model that maintains the same level of luxury and privacy.

The two parties have yet to provide a definitive timeline for when the first retrofitted 787 will enter service. However, JAL also holds ten outstanding orders for new 787-9s, which are expected to feature these new interiors directly from the factory. The first of these new deliveries is anticipated to arrive in the first quarter of 2027. It is highly probable that the debut of the first retrofitted 787-9 will coincide with the arrival of these new aircraft, ensuring a unified launch of the enhanced product. As such, these highly anticipated interiors are expected to debut either in late 2026 or early 2027. It’s important to note that these specific seat upgrades will be exclusive to the 787-9 fleet, as JAL’s 787-8s are not included in the current refurbishment plans, indicating a strategic focus on standardizing the premium experience on its larger Dreamliners.

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for premium cabin enhancements on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. From United’s holistic ‘Elevated’ experience and Air India’s strategic adoption of the Elevate Ascent to Jetstar’s innovative low-cost premium model, Alaska’s ambitious long-haul debut, ANA’s evolution of ‘The Room’ into ‘The Room FX’, LOT’s essential modernization with Recaro R7, and JAL’s impending standardization of its acclaimed premium product, the industry is clearly moving towards a more refined, private, and technologically advanced business class offering. The 787, with its operational efficiency and passenger comfort, continues to be a favored platform for airlines to showcase these innovations, intensifying the competition to attract and retain discerning premium travelers in an ever-evolving global market.