ANA Unveils “The Room FX”: Luxe Business Class with Doors and Lounge Vibes

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has dropped the curtain on “THE Room FX” at the 2025 Paris Air Show—an all-new business class seat designed specifically for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

This next-generation product, developed in collaboration with the French manufacturer Safran Seats and the award-winning London-based design consultancy Acumen, enhances ANA’s acclaimed “THE Room” business class. It aims to provide an elevated level of comfort, privacy, and functionality for ANA’s long-haul fleet.

Photo: Courtesy of ANA

“ANA is dedicated to providing the highest level of customer experience and is investing in the future of the most advanced and comfortable travel with the new ‘THE Room FX’ seat,” said Tomoji Ishii, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience of ANA. “This seat represents our commitment to exceeding expectations and shaping the future of luxury flight.”

Set to debut next year, “THE Room FX” will gradually roll out across major international routes served by the Boeing 787-9. Each aircraft will feature 48 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, alternating between forward- and rear-facing configurations—each with full-height privacy doors and a reimagined cabin footprint that makes the Dreamliner feel more like a flagship widebody.

Photo: Courtesy of ANA

This new cabin product follows the introduction of United Airlines’ all-new Elevated cabins, which are exclusively available on newly delivered Boeing 787-9s. However, the major difference is that the U.S. carrier’s planes have about 20 percent more premium seats and less overall space than what the Japanese airline offers with THE Room FX.

Building on an Award-Winning Legacy

ANA’s current Boeing 777-300ER business class, known as “THE Room,” is widely considered one of the best business class products in the world—praised for its immense seat width, door-equipped suites, and thoughtful cabin layout. But replicating that kind of space on a narrower aircraft like the Boeing 787 isn’t simple.

Photo: Boeing 777-300ER, THE Room. Courtesy of ANA

The Dreamliner’s fuselage is noticeably tighter than the Triple Seven’s, and most airlines compromise on seat width or privacy when adapting their products for it. ANA, however, approached this challenge differently—redesigning its product from the ground up to fit the Dreamliner’s dimensions while preserving the core experience of “THE Room.”

Photo: Courtesy of ANA

The result is “THE Room FX,” with the “FX” standing for “Future Experience.” And while it may not quite match the sheer width of the Triple Seven’s seat, the redesigned product introduces other improvements—especially when it comes to technology and functionality.

Improved Technology, Smarter Design

Passengers will notice an immediate jump in tech enhancements. Compared to the older generation of business class seats ANA currently flies on its 787-9s, “THE Room FX” is a major leap forward. The new suite features:

• A 1.4x larger high-resolution monitor
• Wireless charging and USB-C ports
• Bluetooth audio for personal headphones
• Expanded side consoles for device and personal storage
• Adjustable sofa-like seating positions and full-flat beds
• Lighter privacy partitions that maintain structural integrity without bulk

Notably, “THE Room FX” uses a simplified, “no-recline” design, akin to what Finnair pioneered with its latest business class.

Photo: Courtesy of ANA

Instead of tilting backward, the seat slides forward to transition into bed mode, allowing for more lounging options, reduced mechanical complexity, and enhanced reliability.

Photo: Courtesy of ANA

“At Safran Seats, we are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with ANA through the launch of ‘THE Room FX’,” said Victoria Foy, President & CEO of Safran Seats. “This new business class seat represents a step-change in comfort, versatility, and innovative design for the Boeing 787-9.”

Prioritizing Space, Not Numbers

As new premium seats get introduced across the industry, one noticeable trend is that many airlines are reluctant to dedicate more physical space per passenger. Premium cabins are often designed for density—fitting more seats into the same square footage to preserve overall revenue.

ANA is going in the opposite direction.

Photo: Courtesy of ANA

On its international Boeing 787-9s, ANA is allocating just 24 business class seats between the first and second set of doors. By comparison, many airlines—including ANA itself on older configurations—fit up to 30 seats in that same space. This dramatic reduction highlights the airline’s commitment to space, privacy, and comfort, even if it means carrying fewer premium passengers.

Photo: Courtesy of ANA

“‘THE Room FX’ project is a result of a profound, long-standing partnership between ANA, Acumen, and Safran—shaped by years of trust, creativity, and innovation,” said Ian Dryburgh, CEO and Founder of Acumen. “Building on the success and DNA of ‘THE Room’ B777, this next-generation suite elevates the flying experience with a rare balance of comfort, flexibility, and elegant engineering.”

Fleet-Wide Upgrade

It’s worth noting just how meaningful this product evolution is for ANA. The Boeing 787-9 forms the backbone of the airline’s international long-haul operations. ANA currently has 35 of the aircraft in service, with an additional 27 on order—representing more than half its long-haul fleet strategy going forward.

Photo: ANA, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Courtesy of David Syphers / Unsplash

The current business class seats on those Dreamliners, while functional, are dated and lag behind modern standards for privacy and passenger control. The introduction of “THE Room FX” modernizes ANA’s 787-9s and brings them in line with the airline’s reputation for premium service.

With “THE Room FX,” ANA is not only refreshing its fleet but also transforming expectations for business class on mid-sized, long-haul aircraft. By keeping the essential elements of “THE Room” while adapting for space and contemporary needs, the airline clearly demonstrates that luxury can coexist with aircraft efficiency.

For the savvy business traveler, that means more privacy, smarter tech, and a generous layout on one of the world’s most efficient jets. And with ANA’s long-standing commitment to design, comfort, and innovation, “THE Room FX” might just become the new benchmark in Dreamliner business class travel.