Which Middle Seat Is Best On Ana Economy
Last spring, I found myself on an ANA 787 from Haneda to San Francisco, staring at a boarding pass that read 34E—the middle seat, in economy. I’d booked late, and the only rem...
Last spring, I found myself on an ANA 787 from Haneda to San Francisco, staring at a boarding pass that read 34E—the middle seat, in economy. I’d booked late, and the only remaining option was a spot wedged between two strangers who looked like they’d already claimed the armrests in their minds.
I braced for eight hours of elbow warfare and awkward bathroom shuffles. But something strange happened: 34E turned out to be the best middle seat I’ve ever had. Not because it was comfortable—it’s still a middle seat—but because of where it sat in the cabin.
So, if you’re stuck with a middle seat on ANA, which one should you pray for? The answer depends on the plane, but there’s a clear winner.
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First, Know Your ANA Economy Layout
ANA’s economy cabin isn’t one-size-fits-all. On most 787 Dreamliners, you get a 3-3-3 configuration. That means three seats, an aisle, three seats, an aisle, three seats.
On the 777-300ER and the A380, it’s usually 3-4-3. So the center block is four seats wide, not three. This changes everything about middle-seat misery.
In a 3-3-3, the middle seats are B, E, and J; in a 3-4-3, they’re B, E, F, and J. But not all middles are equal. Some are merely bad, while others are practically strategic.
The Center-Middle Sweet Spot
On a 3-3-3 ANA jet, the best middle seat is E. That’s the middle seat in the center block, flanked by two aisle seats, D and F.
Why is E so great? Because both of your neighbors can get up without climbing over you, and you can escape to either aisle—two exit routes instead of one.
On a 3-4-3, the best middles are E and F. They sit in the center block, with aisle seats D and G on the outside. E has an aisle neighbor on the left; F has one on the right.
ANA Seat Details: B787-9 (206 seats) Economy Class|International
Both are far better than B or J, the side middles. Those poor seats are trapped between a window and an aisle. If the window passenger needs out, you’re the one who has to move.
Why Side Middles Are the Worst
Let’s talk about the side middle: you’re between a window seat and an aisle seat. The window person has nowhere to go without disturbing you, while the aisle person can come and go freely—but they’ll often bump your shoulder.
You’re also the designated armrest referee. The window person wants to lean, the aisle person wants to stretch, and you just want to survive.
In the center middle, you have a different dynamic. Your neighbor on one side is an aisle seat, who can leave without bothering you. Your neighbor on the other side is another middle seat, who can leave via the opposite aisle.
So you’re rarely disturbed. You might even get both armrests, because the aisle passengers have their own space to defend.
But Wait—There’s a Catch
Not every center-middle seat is a hidden gem. Location matters. Avoid the last row, where the seats don’t recline and the lavatory traffic never stops.
Seat Details for B787-9 Economy Class | Cabin | In-Flight | Travel
Also avoid middle seats right next to the galley or lavatories. On ANA, the rear of the cabin gets noisy, and the smell of instant coffee and sanitizer is not a vibe.
If you can snag a bulkhead center-middle, you get extra legroom. But you lose underseat storage, and you might be near a bassinet. So weigh your priorities.
On ANA’s 787, rows around the mid-cabin are often quieter. On the 777, the center block E or F in the middle of the economy section is your best bet.
The Verdict
If you must sit in a middle seat on ANA economy, choose the center-middle. On a 3-3-3, that’s E. On a 3-4-3, that’s E or F.
You’re still in a middle seat, so manage expectations. Bring a good neck pillow, wear layers, and be nice to your neighbors. They’re suffering too.
But here’s the ironic part: after eight hours in 34E, I walked off the plane feeling almost human. My aisle neighbors got up twice, I never had to move, and I even got both armrests for a solid hour.
So yes, middle seats are a punishment. But on ANA, some middle seats are a slightly gentler punishment—choose the center, choose E, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll survive economy with your sanity intact.
