Introduction

Flying across the Pacific with All Nippon Airways (ANA) has long been considered a must-fly for the discerning luxury traveler, and the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service from Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) remains a cornerstone of this reputation. As of 2026, this route continues to serve as a vital bridge for Pacific Northwest travelers seeking the efficiency of Haneda’s proximity to downtown Tokyo. While much of the aviation world's attention has shifted toward ANA’s "The Room" on the 777-300ER, the 787-8 offers a more intimate, boutique atmosphere that many frequent flyers find less overwhelming and more focused on the core tenets of Japanese hospitality.

Although this specific aircraft model represents an older generation of ANA’s business class evolution, it remains a meticulously maintained product that emphasizes cleanliness, functional design, and a serene "blue-and-white" aesthetic that is synonymous with the ANA brand. ANA’s service culture on this route is a masterclass in the Japanese concept of omotenashi, where the crew manages to be hyper-attentive while maintaining a respectful distance. It is a soft product that, in 2026, still consistently outshines the majority of Western carriers.

Seating | ANA Business Class 787-8

This business class layout is a previous generation old compared to the latest iteration from ANA. Nevertheless, the seats are still quite comfortable and great for sleeping in. The seats alternate from row to row between 1-2-1 and 1-1-1 configurations: the window seats alternate between being closer to the window and closer to the aisle while the middle seats alternate between two seats right next to their respective aisles in the odd-numbered rows, and a single “throne” seat in the even-numbered rows.

In my opinion, no ANA 787-8 Business Class seat offers more privacy than those found in rows A, K respectively. These 787 seats are against the window, with the tray area toward the aisle. From a seated position, you’d hardly see another soul in flight, unless you tried. Couples or colleagues who wish to speak or collaborate should stick to the middle section of the plane, in seats D, F or E, G respectively. These seats are close, but not “too close”. I was fortune to grab window seats from both sides (A & K) and had no problem with privacy during my flight to and from Tokyo to Seattle.

When compared to its newer sibling, the world-renowned "The Room" found on select 777-300ERs and A350-1000s, the 787-8 seat is noticeably more traditional. It lacks the massive width and the sliding privacy doors of the newer product, and the 18-inch IFE screen on the 787-8 is a generation behind the 4K displays found on the flagship fleet. However, many travelers factually prefer the 787-8 for its "open-air" feel and the lack of a restrictive footwell, which can sometimes feel cramped in more modern, staggered pods. While it lacks the "wow factor" of the newest cabins, it remains a reliable and highly ergonomic space for work and rest

If we could pick on ANA’s previous business class layout in one area however, it would be the lack of selection across back to back flights. You can only watch a handful of great movies a handful of times. Bed mode is quite comfortable and thankfully, the foot cubbies are large. Like – no complaints, fully toss and turn in your sleep with ease – large. As to the softer side of things, ANA’s business class duvet and pillow sets are substantial but not overbearing.

The duvet manages the correct balance between warm and comforting, but not so warm that you wake up in a metal (or in this case composite) tube with the hot sweats. A touch I found particularly useful, is that ANA offers aromatherapy “cards” which offer a variety of scents designed to help you sleep and relax. You’d be amazed how effective they are. I was able to grab a second pillow and my flight sleep incredibly comfortable.

If there was one minor annoyance - for some reason, there seems to be a lack of storage space. Besides the area underneath your footwell, that’s pretty much it. Compared to say China Airlines, Singapore Airlines and even Japan Airline’s business class, this is a negative for those that want to place some stuff with them during their flight.

Food & Beverage | ANA Business Class 787-8

A few flight attendants stopped by to welcome me to the flight, and one of them offered me a welcome beverage. While champagne was on offer, I was feeling very sleepy ahead of this flight and planned to maximize my rest onboard as much as possible, so I wasn’t really in the mood for a glass of bubbly. I simply went with a glass of orange juice instead. I could drink my champagne’s worth at the ANA business class lounge at Haneda Airport.

I’ve attached the menu from the flight below:

A quick amuse bouche began the meal process and was delicious. Up next, The entire meal – appetizer, main course, dessert, and all – was fantastic. Accordingly, there was no real separation between the different courses of the meal, and I picked my way around the plate sampling every dish at the same time.

The Zensai (selection of small bites) was both beautiful and delicious - the Japanese omelet along with the Chicken & Green Onion roll was fantastic. In addition, the Kobachi and Otsukuri (sashimi) made the meal so much more better. Lastly, the shusai (main course) featured a simmered mackerel ginger sauce that made it a worthy pairing with the rice. Overall, it was a delicious meal!

During the flight, I also got to try the famed IPPUDO ramen, which was a plant-based type. Man, this was so good and I wished I could have another one. It’s that good. The Rice Bowl with Ginger-Fried Pork was also great and made for a great snack during the meal. 2 hour before arrival, we were served another meal, aka Washoku, and featured grilled amberjack fish along with some tasty tidbits. While good, the fish was a bit too overcooked in my opinion.

The staff as always were friendly and generous, though I’d wish they were more proactive with collecting trash or checking up on travelers. This was vastly different compared to the JAL business class flight attendants.

Amenities | ANA Business Class 787-8

What factually distinguishes ANA from other carriers is the depth of their wellness-focused amenities. Guests are provided with a high-quality Nishikawa "Aisube" comforter and a structured pillow that are significantly better than standard airline bedding. On the 787-8, ANA also provides a Globe-Trotter amenity kit, which in 2026 continues to feature premium Japanese skincare brands like SHIRO, offering yuzu-scented mists and lip balms that are perfect for the dry cabin air. Unique to ANA is the provision of aromatic cards and "leg refreshing sheets," small touches that exemplify their focus on passenger comfort.

The amenity kit contents were also pretty run-of-the-mill, consisting of an eye mask, earplugs, dental kit, and a trio of Sekkisei MYV skincare amenities. The flight attendant was kind enough to give me another one to gift for my wife, which I happily obliged.

Cabin Service | ANA Business Class 787-8

ANA's service is factually highly efficient and disciplined. It can feel slightly more formal than JAL’s, but the level of execution is virtually flawless. ANA is often praised for its "invisible" service—refilling drinks and clearing items so quietly you may not even notice. They distinguish themselves with a wellness-focused approach, offering items like aromatic cards and leg-refreshing sheets to mitigate the fatigue of the long haul.

The service itself is characterized by its grace and timing. Unlike many carriers that rush the meal service to let the crew rest, ANA flight attendants follow the passenger's lead. You are greeted with a choice of Champagne or their signature "Kabosu" (Japanese citrus) drink, and the crew is factually known for their "turndown service," where they will proactively offer to lay down your mattress pad while you change into the complimentary ANA pajamas or "loaner" cardigans. This level of personalized care ensures that even on an older aircraft, the experience feels undeniably premium.

Conclusion | ANA Business Class 787-8

Given that the flight was operated on an older-generation business class, it’s not as competitive against its counterpart, but the price is great. While the hard product has a few competitive highlights, it’s competitive advantage quickly decreases against Japan Airlines Apex Suites, United Polaris and other comparable transpacific flights. However, once all the ANA business class flights have been retrofitted to the famed “The Room” business class, it will give these flights a massive advantage.

The ANA 787-8 Business Class from Seattle to Haneda is a testament to the idea that a great soft product can sustain an aging hard product. While the seat is factually a generation behind "The Room" and lacks the privacy of newer suites, the extraordinary dining, meticulous service, and superior bedding make it one of the most comfortable ways to fly to Japan. For travelers who value a quiet, professional environment and world-class Japanese cuisine, it remains an exceptional choice.

Curated for Class Final Score | 31.5/40

The ANA 787-8 Business Class is as Japanese as one can get, serving up Michelin-worthy Washoku cuisine and a cloud-like bedding experience that makes the Pacific crossing feel like a restful spa retreat. However, while the service is fantastic, the previous gen staggered seat design is a bit of a throwback, offering a cozy classic footprint that lacks the sprawling "wow factor" and sliding doors of its newer, more modern siblings.

Ambiance: 7.5/10

Seating: 7.5/10

Food & Beverage: 8.5/10

Cabin Service: 8/10

Flight Review: ANA 787-8 Business Class Review, SEA to HND