American Airlines 787-8 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
American Airlines' Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is a classic "know before you book" aircraft. Why? There are two different Flagship Business seat types in service, and you often won't know which one you're getting until close to departure.
Both Business Class versions are 1-2-1 with lie-flat beds and direct aisle access, but the feel is different:
- Safran Concept D = staggered, mixed forward/rear-facing seats (more "seat personality" row-to-row)
- Collins Super Diamond = reverse-herringbone, all forward-facing (more consistent experience)
Important: Row numbers can vary by subfleet. Seat recommendations refer to verified seat maps. If your seat map differs, follow the seat map.
1. Quick Verdict
- There is a real version lottery: two different Business seats, roughly 50/50 split.
- How to tell fast: if the seat map shows V-shaped cutouts / alternating seat positions, you're on Concept D. If it looks uniform and herringbone-angled, it's Super Diamond.
- Best Business seats (Concept D): 1A/1L (forward-facing bulkhead windows — max privacy, quick exit) and 3A/3L (forward-facing mid-cabin windows).
- Avoid (Concept D): Row 5 (all seats — near galley), and even-row window seats (2A/4A/2L/4L) which are rear-facing.
- Best Business seats (Super Diamond): 1A/1L for bulkhead space and quick exit, or any A/L for strong window privacy.
- Premium Economy best: Row 6 A/C or J/L (bulkhead — best legroom).
- Economy best: Main Cabin Extra rows 10–11 and row 20 (rear cabin bulkhead) for extra legroom.
2. American Airlines 787-8 Versions at a Glance
| Version | Code | Business seat | Business | Premium Economy | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept D | 788 | Safran Concept D | 20 | 28 | 186 |
| Super Diamond | 788T | Collins Super Diamond | 20 | 28 | 186 |
3. How to Identify Your Version (Seat Map Check)
| Indicator | Concept D (788) | Super Diamond (788T) |
|---|---|---|
| Seat map pattern | Alternating V-cutouts (rear-facing seats visible) | Uniform angled/herringbone look |
| Seat direction | Alternating forward/rear by row | All forward-facing |
| Armrests | Rear-facing seats lack padded armrests | All seats have armrests |
| When it becomes "certain" | Often only firm ~3 days prior | Often only firm ~3 days prior |
Key identifier: V-shaped cutouts on the map = Concept D. Uniform herringbone = Super Diamond.
4. Seat Map Summary (Both Versions)
| Cabin | Rows (Approx.) | Layout | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagship Business | Rows 1–5 | 1-2-1 | 20 seats, single cabin |
| Premium Economy | Rows 6–9 | 2-3-2 | 28 seats |
| Main Cabin Extra | Rows 10–11 (forward) + Row 20 (rear) | 3-3-3 | Extra legroom rows |
| Economy (Forward) | Rows 12–19 | 3-3-3 | Row 19 partial (A/C and J/L only) |
| Economy (Rear) | Rows 20–31 | 3-3-3 (rows 30–31: 2-3-2) | Rows 30–31 tapered |
5. Flagship Business — Concept D (Safran Concept D)
This is the version with alternating forward/rear-facing seats. The seat map "looks busier" because the shell positions change each row.
Key features (Concept D):
- 78" fully-flat bed
- 20" seat width
- 15.4" HD touchscreen
- 110V AC + USB-A
- Some rows: no overhead bins above centre seats
Best Seats — Business (Concept D)
| Category | Seats | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | 1A, 1L | Forward-facing bulkhead windows — max privacy, quick exit |
| Best mid-cabin | 3A, 3L | Forward-facing mid-cabin windows — great privacy |
| Best for couples | 2D, 2H | Forward-facing centre pair — good for interaction |
Seats to Avoid — Business (Concept D)
| Seats | Reason |
|---|---|
| Row 5 (all seats) | Near galley — noise and traffic |
| Even-row window seats (2A/4A/2L/4L) | Rear-facing + noted lack of padded armrest |
6. Flagship Business — Super Diamond (Collins Super Diamond)
This is the more "classic" premium layout: reverse herringbone, all forward-facing, predictable experience across the cabin.
Key features (Super Diamond):
- Fully-flat bed
- All seats forward-facing
- 15.4" HD touchscreen
- Strong privacy at window seats (you face away from the aisle)
Best Seats — Business (Super Diamond)
| Category | Seats | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | 1A, 1L | Bulkhead + quick exit + "front row" feel |
| Best for privacy | Any A or L | Window seats angle away from aisle |
| Best for couples | Any centre pair | Consistent adjacency for talking |
Seats to Avoid — Business (Super Diamond)
| Seats | Reason |
|---|---|
| Row 5 (all) | Last row = galley proximity, more noise |
7. Premium Economy (787-8)
Premium Economy occupies rows 6–9 in a 2-3-2 layout with 38" pitch. It's the best "sit together" cabin on this aircraft if Business ends up being a solo-focused seat map (especially with Concept D quirks).
Best Seats — Premium Economy
| Category | Seats | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Best legroom | Row 6 A/C or J/L | Bulkhead — best legroom, no recline impact in front |
| Good standard | Row 7 A/C or J/L | Window/aisle pairs — solid PE experience |
Seats to Avoid — Premium Economy
| Seats | Reason |
|---|---|
| Row 9 | Last PE row — more traffic from Economy transition |
| Centre E | Least convenient position in the centre block |
8. Economy (Main Cabin + Main Cabin Extra)
Economy is 3-3-3. The two biggest upgrades are:
- Main Cabin Extra — rows 10–11 (forward) and row 20 (rear cabin bulkhead) offer extra legroom
- Standard Economy — rows 12–19 (forward) and rows 21–31 (rear)
Best Seats — Economy
| Category | Seats | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Row 10 (all seats) | Main Cabin Extra — best extra legroom in Economy |
| Best rear cabin | Row 20 (all seats) | Main Cabin Extra — rear cabin bulkhead, extra legroom |
| Good standard | Row 11 | Main Cabin Extra — still has extra legroom |
Seats to Avoid — Economy
| Seats | Reason |
|---|---|
| Row 19 (A/C and J/L) | Partial row directly next to mid-galley — avoid |
| Row 18 | Near galley/lav — caution |
| Rows 30–31 | Last rows — limited recline, lav/galley traffic (row 31 worst) |
9. Known Quirks & Practical Tips
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Version lottery | Aircraft assignment can firm up late (often ~3 days) |
| Concept D rear-facing | Some travellers dislike rear-facing; pick odd-row windows if you want forward-facing |
| Overhead bin gaps (Business) | Some centre Business seats may have less overhead space above |
| Fleet standardisation | AA has hinted at future changes, but timing is unclear |
10. Best Seats Summary Table
| Cabin | Best | Why | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business (Concept D) | 1A, 1L, 3A, 3L | Forward-facing windows — max privacy | Row 5 (galley), even-row windows (rear-facing) |
| Business (Super Diamond) | 1A, 1L | Bulkhead + window privacy | Row 5 (galley) |
| Premium Economy | 6A/C, 6J/L | Bulkhead legroom | Row 9 (last PE row) |
| Economy | Row 10, Row 20 | Main Cabin Extra legroom | Row 19, rows 30–31 |
11. FAQs
How do I know which Business seat I'll get?
Check the seat map: V-shaped cutouts = Concept D. Uniform herringbone = Super Diamond. Final confirmation is often close to departure.
Which Business seat is better?
If you want consistency: Super Diamond. If you enjoy more privacy variation and don't mind rear-facing: Concept D can be excellent (especially the recommended seats).
Are both seats fully flat?
Yes — both versions convert to lie-flat beds (~78").
Why do rear-facing Concept D seats lack armrests?
It's a known design quirk on that version; check your exact seat if that matters to you.
More Seat Guides for This Airline
- American Airlines 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2025)
- American Airlines 777-300ER Seat Selection Guide (2025)
- American Airlines 777-200 Seat Selection Guide (2025)
Comparable Aircraft
- United Airlines 787-8 & 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2025)
- Delta A350-900 Seat Selection Guide (2025)
- British Airways 787-8 Seat Selection Guide (2025)
Learn more about the version lottery and how to check which configuration you're getting →