All Nippon Airways (ANA) has unveiled what it describes as the world’s largest business class seat for a mid-sized aircraft. The new seat, named THE Room FX, will be introduced on ANA’s Boeing 787-9 fleet starting in July 2025, with international rollout, including Sydney and Perth routes, expected from fiscal year 2026.
THE Room FX will debut on a domestic flight from Tokyo Haneda to Kagoshima on 11 July 2025. It forms part of ANA’s broader passenger experience overhaul under the ‘ANA Future Promise: Archetype’ program, which focuses on sustainability, consistency, and design-led comfort.
The updated 787-9 layout will include 48 business suites, 21 premium economy seats, and 137 economy seats, down from the previous 215 total seats, making space for more generous seating and service options across all classes.
What makes the seat the largest in its class?
According to ANA, THE Room FX has a seat length of 194cm (76.5 inches), width of 105cm (41.5 inches), and waist width of 69cm (27 inches), dimensions that make it the largest in its class for mid-sized aircraft.
The airline says the suite is designed to evoke the comfort and versatility of a living room sofa, featuring simplified seat mechanics, wide side consoles, and versatile backrests that can shift between a relaxed lounge position and a fully flat bed.
Cabin configuration follows a 1-2-1 layout with alternating forward- and rear-facing rows, allowing for full-height privacy doors and curved partitions to fit comfortably within the narrower 787-9 fuselage. Despite the size increase, ANA says seat weight remains comparable to existing models thanks to refined materials and design efficiencies.
Each suite includes a 24-inch HD monitor (40% larger than the previous version), Bluetooth audio pairing, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, AC outlets, and wireless charging pads. Lighting and seat controls are integrated for easy use.
Cabin-wide enhancements
The introduction of THE Room FX is part of a wider inflight refresh across ANA’s domestic and international 787-9 fleet. Key updates include:
- A new Premium Class design with wider shell-style seats, power access, and upgraded finishes
- Economy Class fitted with slimline seats in a 3-3-3 layout, large tray tables, and improved in-seat screens
- Sustainable cabin materials, including recycled fabrics and lightweight components to reduce emissions
ANA Lounge and tech-led airport experience
On the ground, ANA will open a redesigned ANA Lounge at Tokyo Haneda Terminal 2 in July 2025. The space is designed for intuitive flow, with increased automation. Self-service baggage drops, facial recognition at security and boarding, and a simplified check-in process will be introduced to improve speed and consistency.
What it means for the Australian trade
While the rollout begins in Japan, Australian travellers will likely start to see the new cabins on Tokyo-bound flights from FY2026.
For agents, the seat update offers a new selling point for premium clients heading to Japan and beyond, with THE Room FX providing a fresh point of difference in the market. The wider ANA Future Promise: Archetype initiative signals a focus on continuity from check-in to seatback, a narrative that agents can use to reinforce value for clients.
KARRYON UNPACKS: ANA is repositioning its entire experience around design, consistency and sustainability. For Aussie agents, this is a clear opportunity to lean into premium Japan itineraries, especially as international travellers demand more comfort and cohesion in the air and on the ground.
