The Boeing 787-8 on Royal Jordanian features a single-cabin configuration with 246 economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout. This guide helps you secure the best seats and avoid common pitfalls on this widebody aircraft.
Royal Jordanian's 787-8 is all-economy with 246 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. Best seats are the bulkhead row 8 (extra legroom) and forward cabin window seats (9A, 9K, 10A, 10K, 11A, 11K). Avoid middle seats, the final three rows due to minimal recline, and seats near galleys and lavatories.
Royal Jordanian's Boeing 787-8 is configured entirely in economy with 246 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 layout. Seat pitch is 32 inches with 17.1-inch width, offering moderate comfort for long-haul flights. The cabin includes two galley locations (forward and rear), which affects nearby seat quality. Standard recline is limited in the final three rows of the cabin.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F, 8H, 8J, 8K | Economy | Bulkhead row with extra legroom and limited forward recline |
9A, 9K, 10A, 10K, 11A, 11K | Economy | Forward cabin window seats with good views and quieter cabin access |
Exit row seats | Economy | Additional legroom throughout flight |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
Row 1 | Economy | Galley noise and crew activity throughout flight |
Row 4 | Economy | Adjacent to rear galley with noise and disruption |
Final 3 rows | Economy | Minimal recline and proximity to lavatory queue |
Lavatory-adjacent seats | Economy | Odors, noise, and frequent disturbances |
8D, 8E, 8F | Economy | Bassinet positions with potential infant proximity |
Middle seats (E, F) | Economy | Cramped in 3-3-3 layout with limited personal space |
The 787-8's tray tables are sturdy and deep enough for a 15-inch laptop in most rows, though seats in the middle section (rows 20 - 35) near the wing offer the flattest surface due to fuselage curvature minimization. Royal Jordanian's WiFi system is branded "RJ_WiFi" with typical real-world speeds of 2 - 5 Mbps on shared bandwidth; connectivity drops noticeably over oceanic routes. Power options are sparse: USB-A outlets (5V/1A) are located at select aisle and window seats in rows 1 - 15 only, with no AC or USB-C power on this 787 variant. The 10.6-inch IFE touchscreen is adequate for email and light work but cramped for extended coding; Bluetooth audio is not supported - use the 3.5mm jack or airline-supplied headphones.
The 787-8 maintains a cabin altitude of 6,000 feet (lower than legacy widebodies), reducing fatigue and headaches on 8 - 12-hour routes; humidity levels are kept at a comfortable 40 - 50%, noticeably better than competitors' 10 - 20%. Engine noise is minimal forward of the wing but increases noticeably in rows 35 - 45 (rear third) where turbulence is also slightly more pronounced. The quietest seats are rows 12 - 18 (mid-cabin, forward of the main wing box), where structural reinforcement absorbs vibration and both engine noise and air turbulence are at their lowest.
Royal Jordanian deplanes this 246-seat all-economy aircraft via both L1 (forward) and L2 (mid-cabin) doors simultaneously, reducing overall deplane time to approximately 18 - 22 minutes on full flights. Front-of-cabin passengers (rows 1 - 10) typically clear within 6 - 8 minutes, while rear economy (rows 35 - 41) begins moving at the 12-minute mark and completes by minute 22. At Amman Queen Alia International Airport (RJ's primary hub), a 75-minute connection is comfortable for intra-Middle East transfers; allow 90 minutes minimum for North Africa routes due to immigration queues.
Book row 15 - 17, window seats (A or C) for overnight flights: far enough forward to avoid lavatory queues and engine noise, yet recline is unrestricted and you're past the forward galley bustle. Skip the meal service on overnight departures after 21:00 - eat in the terminal - then accept only water and accept the dawn snack; this prevents digestive disruption and allows uninterrupted sleep. Bring a quality neck pillow (inflatable takes no luggage space) and a lightweight eye mask; the 787's cabin darkness is good but spot lighting from overhead bins bleeds into aisle seats. Arrive at your hub hotel by 06:00 local time, force yourself into daylight immediately, and stay awake until 20:00 to reset your circadian rhythm in one calendar day.
No, this aircraft is configured entirely in economy class with no business or premium economy sections.
Economy seats have a 32-inch pitch, which is standard for many carriers on widebody aircraft.
Window seats offer privacy and views, but avoid rows near galleys and lavatories. Rows 9-11 window seats are optimal for this aircraft.
Bulkhead row 8 offers extra legroom, though some seats (8D, 8E, 8F) are bassinet positions. Exit rows also provide additional space.
Avoid middle seats in the 3-3-3 layout, rows 1 and 4 (galleys), the final three rows (limited recline), and any seat adjacent to lavatories.
