Lounge Frog guide
China Southern Airlines Boeing 787-9 (78C, 300 seats) vs Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 (787-9, 258 seats)
China Southern Airlines Boeing 787-9 (78C, 300 seats) has 300 seats and Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 (787-9, 258 seats) has 258. Only the second has Premium Economy. Economy legroom is more generous on the first (32 vs 31 inches of pitch).
Cabins side by side
| Cabin | Seats | Rows | Layout | Seat | Pitch | Width | Recline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
China Southern Airlines · 78C, 300 seatsBusiness Class | 28 | 5–11 | 1-2-1 | Lie-flat bed | 45 in | 20 in | — |
China Southern Airlines · 78C, 300 seatsEconomy Class | 272 | 31–65 | 3-3-3 | Recliner | 32 in | 17 in | 6 in |
Virgin Atlantic · 787-9, 258 seatsUpper Class | 31 | 1–11 | 1-1-1 | Lie-flat bed | — | 22 in | — |
Virgin Atlantic · 787-9, 258 seatsPremium | 35 | 21–25 | 2-3-2 | Recliner | 38 in | 21 in | 8 in |
Virgin Atlantic · 787-9, 258 seatsEconomy | 192 | 45–68 | 3-3-3 | Recliner | 31 in | 17 in | 5 in |
China Southern Airlines Boeing 787-9 (78C, 300 seats)
300 seats: 19 good, 15 mixed, 13 to avoid
Best seats
- Rows 6–10, seats A and K (Business Class): set back from the aisle, so it is more private
- Row 49, seats A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J and K (Economy Class): exit row with extra legroom
Seats to avoid
- Row 11, seats E and G (Business Class): next to a galley, with light and noise during service
- Row 46, seats D, E and G (Economy Class): next to a lavatory, with queues, noise and flushing
- Row 63, seats A, B and C (Economy Class): next to a lavatory, with queues, noise and flushing
- Row 64, seats H and J (Economy Class): next to a lavatory, with queues, noise and flushing
Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 (787-9, 258 seats)
258 seats: 64 good, 22 mixed, 9 to avoid
Best seats
- Rows 1–11, seats A and K (Upper Class): window seat angled toward the window in Virgin's herringbone Upper Class: private, with direct aisle access.
- Row 46, seat A (Economy): no seat in front: Virgin's map has no seat 45A, so there is more room for your legs.
- Row 46, seat B (Economy): no seat in front: Virgin's map has no seat 45B, so there is more room for your legs.
- Row 46, seat C (Economy): no seat in front: Virgin's map has no seat 45C, so there is more room for your legs.
Seats to avoid
- Row 52, seats D, F and G (Economy): next to a lavatory, with queues, noise and flushing
- Row 66, seats A, B, C, H, J and K (Economy): last seat in its block, with galleys drawn right behind it: expect galley noise and light.