Royal Jordanian 787-8 Seat Selection Guide (2025)
Royal Jordanian's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operates long-haul routes from Amman to London, Paris, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and throughout the Middle East. The aircraft features Collins Diamond Parallel Crown Class Business in a 2-2-2 configuration where window passengers must climb over aisle passengers.
Important note: Royal Jordanian is taking delivery of new Boeing 787-9s from early 2026 with a significantly improved 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone Business Class. The existing 787-8s will be retrofitted to match. Until then, the current 787-8 product remains functional but dated compared to competitors.
Cabin Layout Overview
Cabin Layout Summary
| Cabin | Layout | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Class (Business) | 2-2-2 | 24 Collins Diamond Parallel seats in rows 1-4 - Fully-flat beds - No direct aisle access for window seats |
| Economy Class | 3-3-3 | 246 seats - 32 inch pitch - 10.6 inch screens - USB power at every seat |
Configuration: 24J / 246Y (270 total). Single configuration across the 787-8 fleet.
Best Seats in Royal Jordanian Business Class
Business Class Overview
- 24 Collins Diamond Parallel seats in rows 1-4 in a 2-2-2 configuration
- All seats convert to fully-flat beds at 180 degrees
- Seat width: 20.6 inches
- Seat pitch: 60 inches
- IFE: 17 inch HD touchscreen
- Power: Universal AC and USB-A at every seat
- Lavatories: Two forward of row 1, one aft of row 4
Critical limitation: Window passengers in seats A and K must climb over aisle passengers in C and H - no direct aisle access. This is a significant drawback for overnight flights.
Best Business Seats
| Category | Recommended Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Least disruption solo | 2C, 2H, 3C, 3H | Aisle seats in mid-cabin rows - direct access without climbing; neighbour can exit without waking you. |
| Best for couples | 2D-E, 3D-E, 2F-G, 3F-G | Centre pairs in mid-cabin away from galley noise at row 1 and lavatory traffic at row 4. |
| Quietest window | 3A, 3K | Mid-cabin windows furthest from forward galley and rear lavatory. |
| Quick service | 1C, 1H | First served; aisle position avoids climb-over issue. |
Business Seats to Avoid
| Category | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Front row | 1A, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1K | Row 1 directly behind forward galley and lavatories - crew activity, light intrusion and door noise. |
| Last row | 4A, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4K | Row 4 directly in front of rear galley and Economy - service prep noise and foot traffic. |
| Solo window | Any A or K seat | Must climb over neighbour - only acceptable if travelling with companion in adjacent seat. |
Seat-by-seat Business Class Summary
| Row | A (window) | C (aisle) | D-E (centre) | F-G (centre) | H (aisle) | K (window) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avoid - galley | Avoid - galley | Avoid - galley | Avoid - galley | Avoid - galley | Avoid - galley |
| 2 | OK if with companion | Good - aisle | Good couples | Good couples | Good - aisle | OK if with companion |
| 3 | OK if with companion | Best - aisle | Good couples | Good couples | Best - aisle | OK if with companion |
| 4 | Avoid - rear galley | Avoid - rear | Avoid - rear | Avoid - rear | Avoid - rear | Avoid - rear galley |
Best Seats in Royal Jordanian Economy Class
Economy Overview
- 246 Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seats in 3-3-3 configuration
- Seat width: 17.1 inches
- Seat pitch: 32 inches
- Seat recline: 3 inches
- IFE: 10.6 inch HD touchscreen at every seat
- Power: USB-A at every seat
- 787 features: Larger windows with electronic dimming, higher cabin humidity, lower cabin pressure
Best Economy Seats
| Category | Recommended Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Exit row legroom | Row varies by configuration - check seat map | Emergency exit rows offer significantly more pitch; armrests fixed; may not recline. |
| Bulkhead legroom | 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8H, 8J, 8K | First Economy row with extra knee room; tray table in armrest; bassinet positions at 8D-E-F. |
| Forward cabin quiet | 9A, 9K, 10A, 10K, 11A, 11K | Forward Economy window seats; less foot traffic; served earlier; faster deplaning. |
| Best window views | Any A or K seat rows 9-20 | 787 windows are 65% larger than typical aircraft with electronic dimming - great for views and AVGeek photos. |
Economy Seats to Avoid
| Category | Seats | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Last rows | Final 3 rows of cabin | Minimal or no recline; constant lavatory queue; odours. |
| Lavatory-adjacent | Seats immediately beside lavatories | Queue noise, door banging, odours. |
| Middle of middle | Any E or F seat | No window, no aisle - most trapped position in 3-3-3. |
| Bassinet if no infant | 8D, 8E, 8F | Bassinet positions mean higher likelihood of infants nearby. |
Known Quirks and Cabin Notes
| Quirk / Note | Details |
|---|---|
| No Wi-Fi (for now) | Current 787-8s do not have Wi-Fi. A full cabin retrofit with Wi-Fi and refreshed interiors begins from late 2025. |
| 787-9 arriving 2026 | New 787-9s with 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone Business Class are expected from early 2026. |
| Retrofit planned | Existing 787-8s will be retrofitted to match 787-9 standard - a transformative improvement in hard product. |
| Climate complaints | Passengers report the aircraft sometimes gets warm; there are no individual air vents at seats. |
| Aircraft swaps | RJ occasionally operates A321neo on routes scheduled for 787-8. Verify equipment closer to departure. |
| oneworld alliance | Royal Jordanian is a member of the oneworld alliance, offering reciprocal earning, status and lounge access. |
Future Product - 787-9 (from 2026)
Royal Jordanian's new 787-9s will feature:
- 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone Business Class (Collins Elements-style suites)
- Direct aisle access at all Business seats
- New-generation IFE and onboard Wi-Fi
- Updated Economy cabin aligned with the refreshed 787-8 interiors
This will be a transformative upgrade from the current 2-2-2 product.
Summary - Best Seats Overall (Royal Jordanian 787-8)
| Cabin | Best Seats |
|---|---|
| Business Class | 2C, 2H, 3C, 3H for solo travellers (aisle); 2D-E, 3D-E, 2F-G, 3F-G for couples. Avoid window seats unless with companion. |
| Economy | Exit rows for legroom; 9A, 9K, 10A, 10K for quiet forward cabin; avoid last rows. |
Royal Jordanian 787-8 - Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't window seats have direct aisle access?
The Collins Diamond Parallel is a 2-2-2 configuration where seats are arranged in pairs. Window passengers (A and K) must climb over aisle passengers (C and H) to reach the aisle. This design is being replaced industry-wide by 1-2-1 layouts, and Royal Jordanian will upgrade to this standard from 2026.
Is Royal Jordanian Business Class fully flat?
Yes, all Business Class seats convert to fully-flat beds at 180 degrees. The seats are 20.6 inches wide and offer reasonable comfort despite the dated configuration and lack of direct aisle access at windows.
Which seats should couples choose?
Centre pairs 2D-E, 3D-E, 2F-G or 3F-G allow couples to sit together without the window climb-over issue. Both passengers can access the aisle by going outward.
Does Royal Jordanian have Wi-Fi?
The current 787-8 fleet does not have Wi-Fi. A retrofit program will add Wi-Fi and refreshed cabins from late 2025 onwards. The new 787-9s arriving from 2026 will include Wi-Fi from delivery.
Is there Premium Economy?
No, Royal Jordanian operates two-class aircraft only (Business and Economy) on the 787-8.
Should I wait for the 787-9?
If your travel dates are flexible and extend into late 2026 or beyond, the new 787-9 product will be significantly better for Business Class. However, route deployment is uncertain - always check the aircraft type when booking, and be aware that equipment swaps between 787-8 and 787-9 are possible.
Comparable Aircraft
- LOT Polish Airlines 787 Seat Selection Guide (2025) — Similar 2-2-2 Business Class, also upgrading to 1-2-1 in 2026
- Saudia 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2025) — Collins Super Diamond 1-2-1 for comparison
- Oman Air 787-9 Seat Selection Guide (2025) — Apex Suite on similar Middle East routes