Etihad Airways Boeing 787-10 Seat Selection Guide (2026)
Etihad's Boeing 787-10 is the stretched Dreamliner in the fleet, flying medium and long-haul routes from Abu Dhabi (Manchester, Brussels, Lisbon, Delhi and similar). Unlike the 787-9, it comes in one consistent two-class layout — 32 Business Studio seats and 295 Economy — so there's no version lottery to worry about.
✈️ Quick Verdict
- Best Business solo: 8A, 8K, 10A, 10K — even-row window seats (console shields you from the aisle)
- Best Business couples: 8E+8F, 10E+10F — forward-facing centre pairs
- Avoid Business: Row 5 (front galley), row 12 (rear galley), odd-row C/H seats (aisle-exposed)
- Best Economy: exit row 32 (most legroom); bulkhead row 15 (legroom, behind Business)
- Avoid Economy: row 49 (last row), middle seats B/E/J, row 30 (just before the mid-galley)
- Version lottery: no — one fleet-wide layout
Configuration Overview
Etihad operates a single 787-10 layout: 32 Business + 295 Economy = 327 seats. The premium cabin is the staggered Business Studio; Economy is standard 9-abreast.
| Cabin | Seats | Layout | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 32 | 1-2-1 staggered (Business Studio) | 5–12 |
| Economy | 295 | 3-3-3 | 15–49 |
IFE is Panasonic eX3 with on-demand content; WiFi is Etihad's "Wi-Fly" satellite system.
Business Class — Business Studio (Staggered)
32 staggered Business Studio seats in a 1-2-1 layout across rows 5–12, every seat with direct aisle access and a sliding privacy screen. Because the layout is staggered, the seat letters alternate by row:
- Even rows (6, 8, 10, 12): seats A · E F · K — the window seats (A/K) sit against the window with the console between you and the aisle. These are the most private.
- Odd rows (5, 7, 9, 11): seats C · D G · H — the window-side seat (C/H) sits beside the aisle, set back from the window, so it feels more exposed.
| Best For | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | 8A, 8K, 10A, 10K | Even-row true-window seats, mid-cabin — best privacy and best service position |
| Couples | 8E+8F, 10E+10F | Forward-facing centre pairs, side by side |
| Avoid | Row 5 | Front of cabin, against the galley — noise and traffic |
| Avoid | Row 12 | Last Business row, against the rear galley |
| Trade-off | Odd-row C/H | Aisle-side stagger seats — set back from the window, more aisle exposure |
Economy — 3-3-3
295 seats in a 3-3-3 layout (columns A-B-C · D-E-G · H-J-K — aviation convention skips F and I), rows 15–49. Window seats are A/K, aisles C/D/G/H, and the middle seats are B, E and J. There's a mid-cabin galley around row 31 (no seats), splitting Economy into a quieter forward section and a busier rear one.
| Best For | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most legroom | Exit row 32 (D/E/G centre block) | Centre-only exit row — the most legroom in Economy |
| Bulkhead legroom | Row 15 (behind Business) | Extra legroom, though no underseat storage |
| Quiet/quick off | Forward rows 15–22, windows | Quieter, faster service and disembarkation |
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Row 49 | Last row — limited recline, rear galley noise |
| Row 30 | Immediately before the mid-cabin galley — limited recline, traffic |
| Middle seats (B/E/J) | Boxed-in across every 3-3-3 row; E (centre block) is the worst |
Quick-Pick Summary
| Cabin | Best seats |
|---|---|
| Business | Even-row windows 8A/8K, 10A/10K; centre pairs 8E+8F, 10E+10F; avoid rows 5 & 12 and odd-row C/H |
| Economy | Exit row 32 and bulkhead row 15; forward windows; avoid row 49, middles (B/E/J) and row 30 |
FAQ
Does the Etihad 787-10 have a version lottery?
No. Every Etihad 787-10 has the same 32-Business / 295-Economy layout, so what you see on the seat map is what you'll get.
Is the 787-10 Business the same as the new 787-9 suites?
No. The 787-10 uses the older staggered Business Studio (no doors), while the newest 787-9s have Collins Elements suites with sliding doors. Both are 1-2-1 with direct aisle access.
What's the difference between odd-row and even-row Business seats?
Even-row window seats (A/K) sit against the window with the console shielding you from the aisle — the most private. Odd-row window-side seats (C/H) sit beside the aisle, set back from the window.
Is there a Premium Economy on the 787-10?
No. The bulkhead and exit rows in Economy give extra legroom, but there's no separate Premium Economy cabin.
Comparable Guides
- Etihad 787-9 Seat Selection Guide — three configs, incl. First and new Elements suites
- Etihad 777-300ER Seat Selection Guide — the staggered Solstys widebody (version lottery)
- Etihad A350-1000 Seat Selection Guide — the newest flagship, Super Diamond suites with doors
- Etihad A380 Seat Selection Guide — The Residence, First Apartments and Business Studio