The World’s Widest Business Seat Is Almost Here, And You Can’t Recline It
ANA The Room FX business class is here, or very nearly. Japan’s largest airline is putting its first Boeing 787-9 fitted with the new suite into service this month. And it arrives with a twist that has split the travel world in two.
Here’s the headline. The seat is enormous. In fact, at its widest point it measures 41.5 inches, which is roughly double a standard business class seat. Yet it does not recline. Not even a little. Instead, the backrest is fixed in a pre-set, sofa-style position, and you flip up the leg rest by hand to make a bed.
So is ANA The Room FX business class the most comfortable suite in the sky, or a bold experiment that goes too far? Let’s break it down. By the end, you’ll know exactly what you’re booking, and whether it’s right for your trip.
One note on timing: ANA has scheduled The Room FX to enter service in August 2026, with three aircraft flying by year-end. Rollouts like this can shift slightly, so always confirm the aircraft on your specific flight before you book.
ANA The Room FX Business Class: Quick Facts
- Airline: All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Product name: The Room FX (“FX” = Future Experience)
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Cabin layout: 1-2-1, 48 suites per aircraft
- Seat width: 27 inches at the waist, up to 41.5 inches at the widest point
- Bed length: 76.5 inches, fully flat
- Recline: None — fixed, pre-reclined sofa-style seat with a manual leg rest
- Privacy: Full-height sliding door on every suite
- Screen: 24-inch 4K, with Bluetooth audio pairing
- Power: Wireless charging, USB-C, USB-A, and AC outlets
- Enters service: August 2026 (three aircraft flying by year-end)
- Where: Long-haul routes from Tokyo Haneda (HND)
- Predecessor: The Room, on select Boeing 777-300ERs since 2019
What Is ANA The Room FX Business Class?
ANA The Room FX business class is the airline’s next-generation business suite for the Boeing 787-9. The “FX” stands for “Future Experience.” It builds directly on The Room, the celebrated cabin ANA introduced on its Boeing 777-300ER back in 2019.
The original was already famous. In short, it was one of the widest and most private business seats in commercial aviation. Now ANA has adapted that concept for the 787, which has a narrower fuselage. Remarkably, the new version is actually wider than the original.
Here’s what each suite includes:
- A seat that measures 27 inches at the waist and expands to 41.5 inches at its widest point
- A fully flat bed that stretches 76.5 inches long
- A full-height sliding privacy door
- A 24-inch 4K screen, about 1.4 times larger than the previous model
- Bluetooth audio, wireless charging, and USB-C power
In other words, this is first-class space wrapped in a business class ticket. However, one design choice changes everything.
The No-Recline Design: Why ANA Removed the Mechanism
Most business class seats recline. You press a button, a motor hums, and the backrest tilts through dozens of positions. ANA The Room FX business class does none of that.
Instead, the seat uses a fixed, pre-reclined backrest. It’s a sofa-style design, similar to Finnair’s AirLounge concept. When you want to sleep, you manually flip the leg rest up to form a flat surface. That’s it. There is no electric recline at all.
So why remove such a standard feature? The answer is space. By eliminating the motors, tracks, and moving frame, ANA cut both weight and bulk. As a result, the airline freed up room to make the suite 41.5 inches wide on a narrow-body fuselage where that would normally be impossible. The lighter seat also burns less fuel, which supports ANA’s sustainability goals.
The trade-off, however, is real. Some travelers love the lounge-like feel and the extra space. Others miss the ability to tilt the backrest gradually: during a meal, while watching a film, or as they drift off to sleep. This debate isn’t new, either. Finnair sparked the same argument when it launched its no-recline seat, and passengers have been divided ever since.
ANA The Room FX Business Class vs. US Carriers
To understand why this seat matters, compare it to what US airlines offer on the same aircraft type.
| Feature | ANA The Room FX (787-9) | Typical US 787 Business (United/Delta/American) |
|---|---|---|
| Max seat width | 41.5 inches | ~20–21 inches |
| Bed length | 76.5 inches | ~78 inches |
| Privacy door | Full-height | Partial or none on many 787s |
| Recline | None (fixed sofa-style) | Full electric recline |
| Screen size | 24-inch 4K | Varies, generally smaller |
The width difference is striking. ANA’s suite is nearly twice as wide as its US competitors on the 787. Add the full-height door, and the sense of privacy is in a different league. That said, if a traditional recline matters to you, the US carriers still win on that single point.
Which Routes Will Fly The Room FX?
Availability is currently limited. ANA is bringing its first 787-9 with the new cabin into service this month. By the end of 2026, only three aircraft will carry it.
These jets will fly long-haul routes from Tokyo Haneda (HND). The first services are expected to connect Tokyo with high-demand North American cities such as Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington Dulles.
Over time, ANA plans to retrofit a large share of its 787-9 fleet, so the footprint will grow steadily through 2027 and beyond.
How to Make Sure You Get It
Here’s the catch every traveler needs to know. ANA operates several different cabin layouts on its 787-9 fleet. So booking a 787-9 does not guarantee you’ll get ANA The Room FX business class.
In practice, you might board a plane with the shiny new suite. Or you might draw an older staggered business layout instead. Enthusiasts call this the “version lottery,” and it already exists on ANA’s 777 fleet.
Fortunately, you can improve your odds. Follow these steps before you book:
- Check the seat map. The distinctive alternating suite layout is the giveaway that your aircraft has the new cabin.
- Book early. ANA releases award space up to 330 days before departure, and prime dates move fast.
- Stay flexible. If your preferred flight has an older cabin, shifting your travel by a day or two can land you on the right aircraft.
- Confirm close to departure. Aircraft swaps happen, so it’s worth re-checking your seat map as your trip approaches.
This is exactly the kind of detail that’s easy to miss. And it’s precisely where a travel expert can save you from disappointment.
Is ANA The Room FX Business Class Worth It?
So, genius move or mistake? The honest answer is that it depends on the traveler.
You’ll likely love it if you value space and privacy above all else. The 41.5-inch width and full-height door create a genuine private sanctuary. For a 10-to-14-hour Pacific crossing, that room to spread out is transformative.
You might hesitate, however, if a customizable recline is central to your comfort. The fixed backrest works well for most people. Yet if you like to tilt your seat to that perfect in-between angle, this design removes that option entirely.
Either way, ANA The Room FX business class signals where premium travel is heading. More airlines are choosing space, privacy, and clever engineering over old mechanical features. The seat you know is quietly changing shape.
The Bottom Line
ANA The Room FX business class delivers first-class space on a business class ticket. The 41.5-inch sofa suite is arguably the roomiest business seat on any mid-sized jet in the world. In exchange, you give up the traditional recline. Itš a trade-off that will delight some flyers and frustrate others.
For now, the cabin is rare. Only three aircraft will carry it by the end of 2026, and the version lottery makes booking tricky. So if you want to experience it, timing and seat-map homework are everything.
Want to fly ANA The Room FX business class without the guesswork? Sorting out which 787-9 has the new cabin, and finding fares that don’t appear on public sites, is genuinely a full-time job. It’s what Skylux Travel does every day. Call us, and we’ll help you land the right aircraft, the right seat, and the right price.
We’re available 24/7 at 888-999-5524 to book your next business class flight to Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions About ANA The Room FX Business Class
Does ANA The Room FX business class recline?
No. The suite uses a fixed, pre-reclined backrest instead of a traditional electric recline. To lie down, you manually flip up the leg rest, which converts the seat into a fully flat bed 76.5 inches long.
How wide is the ANA The Room FX seat?
It measures 27 inches at the waist and widens to 41.5 inches at its widest point. That’s roughly double a standard business class seat, and it’s even wider than ANA’s original The Room on the 777-300ER.
Which aircraft has ANA The Room FX business class?
Only the Boeing 787-9. ANA is fitting the new cabin to its international 787-9 fleet, with 48 suites per aircraft in a 1-2-1 layout. Note that not every 787-9 has it yet, so you must check the seat map.
When did ANA The Room FX business class enter service?
ANA scheduled it to enter service in August 2026, with three aircraft flying by the end of the year. The airline plans to retrofit a large share of its 787-9 fleet through 2027 and beyond.
What routes will fly ANA The Room FX?
The suites operate long-haul routes from Tokyo Haneda (HND). Early services are expected to serve North American cities such as Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington Dulles.
Is ANA The Room FX better than Qatar Qsuite?
Both are top-tier. The Room FX wins on sheer width and open space, while the Qsuite offers a true center “quad” for groups and a more adjustable seat. Your pick depends on whether you value space or flexibility more.
How do I make sure I get The Room FX when I book?
Check the seat map for the alternating 1-2-1 suite layout, book early, stay flexible on dates, and re-check your seat map close to departure in case of an aircraft swap.
