Avianca's Boeing 787-8 offers a modern long-haul experience with reverse herringbone business class and spacious economy seating. Learn which seats deliver the best comfort and which to avoid for optimal travel.
The 787-8 features a premium 1-2-1 reverse herringbone business layout with direct aisle access and mid-cabin window seats in economy offering the best light and privacy. Avoid row 1 for galley noise, the last rows of each cabin due to lavatory proximity and foot traffic, and note that some aircraft may have ex-Norwegian 2-3-2 recliners in economy. Seats 2A, 2K, 3A, and 3K offer ideal mid-cabin positioning with excellent service access.
Avianca's Boeing 787-8 business class features a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration with direct aisle access from every seat. The cabin comes in two versions: Standard V1 with 28 seats or High-Density V2 with 20 seats. Each business seat offers 20 inches of width with fully flat-bed capabilities and excellent privacy. The reverse herringbone design means window seats face outward while center seats face inward, creating distinct viewing angles. All business seats include direct aisle access, eliminating the need to climb over sleeping passengers.
Economy offers a standard 3-3-3 layout with 31-inch pitch in the High-Density V2 configuration. While width specifications aren't detailed, the 787-8's widebody fuselage provides reasonable shoulder room. The cabin benefits from the aircraft's large windows and modern lighting systems that reduce jet lag. Economy passengers enjoy access to the 787-8's advanced amenities including better air quality and humidity levels compared to older aircraft.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
2A | Economy | Mid-cabin window seat with optimal natural light, away from galley noise and lavatory traffic |
2K | Economy | Mid-cabin window on opposite side, same advantages as 2A with excellent viewing |
3A | Economy | Continues the mid-cabin sweet spot with window access and minimal disturbances |
3K | Economy | Opposite window seat maintaining mid-cabin positioning for balanced service access |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
Row 1 | Business & Economy | Exposed to galley noise, crew activity, and frequent disturbances throughout the flight |
Last row of business cabin | Business | Proximity to lavatories creates odor and noise issues, increased foot traffic from economy passengers |
Last row of economy cabin | Economy | Lavatory queues and odors, reduced recline space, higher foot traffic and noise |
Entire economy section (if ex-Norwegian aircraft) | Economy | Some 787-8s retained ex-Norwegian 2-3-2 recliners instead of standard seats, offering less space and comfort |
The 787-8's business class seats feature stable, spacious tray tables that comfortably accommodate 15-inch laptops in both flat-bed and upright positions, though the reverse herringbone angle requires slight repositioning for optimal viewing. Avianca offers WiFi via Viasat with real-world speeds of 5 - 8 Mbps download on most routes, sufficient for email and light browsing but challenging for video conferencing. Power availability includes AC outlets at most business seats (110V) plus USB-A ports; USB-C is inconsistently deployed across the 787 cabin, so carry a multi-port adapter and assume 30 - 50W output per outlet. The 10.6-inch seatback IFE screen provides adequate resolution for work documents and entertainment, and Bluetooth audio pairing is supported for headphones, though cabin crew should be notified before connecting.
The 787-8 maintains a cabin altitude of approximately 6,000 feet, significantly lower than older widebodies, reducing fatigue and the dry-mouth sensation common on long-haul flights; humidity levels hover around 15 - 18%, still requiring active hydration but noticeably better than legacy aircraft. Engine noise is minimal across the cabin thanks to the 787's advanced engine cowlings, though rows 5 - 8 in business class experience slightly higher vibration during climb and descent phases. The quietest seats are rows 1 - 3 (forward galley section), where engine noise is buffered by distance and airflow patterns create a naturally calmer acoustic environment. Rows 18 - 20 in business class, while rear-positioned, suffer occasional galley activity noise; mid-cabin rows 10 - 15 offer the optimal balance of tranquility and service accessibility.
Avianca's 787-8 uses Door L1 (forward main deck) for business class and forward economy, with Door L2 serving mid-to-rear economy on full flights; on lightly loaded services, a single-door operation via L1 may occur. Front business class deplanes in approximately 8 - 12 minutes on a full 242-seat configuration, while rear economy (rows 35 - 42) typically requires 22 - 28 minutes due to aisle bottlenecks; economy middle rows average 16 - 20 minutes. At Avianca's primary hubs (Bogotá El Dorado, Miami International), allow a minimum of 90 minutes for comfortable domestic connections and 120 minutes for international onward flights, as ground handling processes are slower than US carriers and the airport layout involves corridor walks between terminals.
Book window seats in rows 2 - 4 (seats A or K in 1-2-1 configuration) for overnight flights; these offer direct-aisle access, uninterrupted sleep zones away from lavatory traffic, and early-morning light control via automated window shades. Accept the light dinner service on westbound overnight flights (departing evening, arriving morning) to reset meal timing, but politely decline breakfast on eastbound red-eyes to extend unbroken sleep and minimize cabin crew interactions. Bring a noise-isolating pillow rated for lateral support (the seat's integrated pillow is functional but firm) and a 100ml eye mask with adjustable elastic; the 787's low cabin altitude reduces sleep pressure, so melatonin supplements are unnecessary. On arrival, shower immediately if your hotel allows early check-in, expose yourself to natural light within 2 hours of landing, and delay caffeine until 12:00 local time to anchor circadian reset; the 787's low humidity means you'll dehydrate faster than expected, so drink 3 - 4 liters of water throughout the flight.
The Standard V1 offers 28 business seats with more generous spacing, while High-Density V2 reduces this to 20 seats for a premium experience. Both maintain the 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout with 20-inch width and direct aisle access. Choose based on your airline's specific aircraft assignment.
Yes, the 1-2-1 reverse herringbone design ensures every business seat has direct aisle access, eliminating the need to cross sleeping passengers during the flight.
Seats in rows 2-3 avoid galley noise from row 1 and lavatory/traffic issues at the rear. Window seats (A and K) provide natural light and a sense of privacy without the middle-seat disadvantage.
If your flight uses an ex-Norwegian 787-8, be aware it may have 2-3-2 recliners in economy instead of standard seats. Confirm your aircraft configuration before booking if seat comfort is a priority.
The 787-8 is considered one of the most passenger-friendly aircraft with superior air quality, humidity control, larger windows, and advanced lighting. It's particularly comfortable for long-haul flights compared to older 777 or 767 aircraft.
