Glossary
Reverse Herringbone
Definition: Reverse herringbone is a premium cabin seat layout where seats angle toward the aircraft windows rather than the aisle, offering enhanced privacy and direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Last updated
Term at a glance
Reverse Herringbone — quick reference
| Term | Reverse Herringbone |
|---|---|
| One-liner | Reverse herringbone is a premium cabin seat layout where seats angle toward the aircraft windows rather than the aisle, offering enhanced privacy and direct aisle access in a… |
| Where it matters | Premium-cabin booking decisions, fare-rules interpretation, airline-product comparison. |
| Related concepts | Herringbone Configuration · Lie-Flat Seat · Suite · Direct Aisle Access · Business Class |
| Last verified | 2026-05-07 |
Background
The reverse herringbone layout is widely considered one of the best business class configurations. Designed by B/E Aerospace (now Collins Aerospace), the layout positions each seat at an angle facing the window, creating a natural sense of enclosure and privacy.
How it works in modern business class
Airlines using reverse herringbone configurations include American Airlines, Cathay Pacific (on newer aircraft), Air Canada, and many others. The layout allows for a 1-2-1 configuration on wide-body aircraft, meaning every passenger has direct aisle access without disturbing neighbours.
Why it matters when you book
The reverse herringbone is particularly popular because it allows for large lie-flat beds (typically 21–22 inches wide), generous storage, and a private feel even without doors. Several airlines have enhanced the basic reverse herringbone with doors or privacy panels, creating suite-like products that rival dedicated first class cabins.
In booking practice
How Reverse Herringbone comes up when you book
Where this term appears in the booking flow
- In fare quotes and itineraries. When a consolidator agent quotes a premium-cabin fare on reverse herringbone-relevant routes or aircraft, this term may appear in the carrier's rules text, fare-class designator, or aircraft / cabin description. Knowing what it means helps you compare quotes apples-to-apples.
- In airline-product reviews and seat maps. Premium-cabin reviews (Skytrax, AirlineRatings.com, individual long-form reviews) reference reverse herringbone when relevant. Seat-map sites (SeatGuru, AeroLOPA) use the term when classifying hardware or service tiers.
- In loyalty-program redemption rules. Frequent-flyer programs use this and related terms in their award-chart rules, partner-redemption tables, and elite-tier benefits documentation. Misreading the term can mean booking the wrong fare class or missing a sweet-spot redemption.
- In carrier alliance and codeshare documentation. Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam each reference this concept where it affects partner-flight booking, lounge access policies, or status-recognition rules across alliance members.
At a Glance
Related concepts
| Term | Quick definition | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Management | Revenue management is the strategic use of pricing, inventory control, and demand forecasting to maximise an… | Read |
| Reward Flight Saver | British Airways Executive Club's award-redemption pricing structure introduced for short-haul in 2011 and… | Read |
| Refundable Fare | A refundable fare allows the passenger to cancel the ticket and receive most or all of the fare back as a… | Read |
| Round-the-World Fare | A round-the-world (RTW) fare is a single ticket that lets you circumnavigate the globe with multiple stops,… | Read |
| Red-Eye Flight | A red-eye flight is an overnight flight that departs late at night and arrives early the next morning, named… | Read |
| Saver Award | The lowest published (or observed) mileage cost for a redemption — the "saver" rate on award-chart… | Read |
Related Terms
You might also want to know
- Revenue Management
Revenue management is the strategic use of pricing, inventory control, and demand forecasting to maximise an airline’s total revenue from each flight, determining how many seats to sell at each price point.
- Reward Flight Saver
British Airways Executive Club's award-redemption pricing structure introduced for short-haul in 2011 and extended to long-haul / premium cabins in 2023. Reward Flight Saver allows holders to slide their redemption between higher-Avios + lower-cash and lower-Avios + higher-cash combinations, replacing the previous fixed peak / off-peak chart.
- Refundable Fare
A refundable fare allows the passenger to cancel the ticket and receive most or all of the fare back as a cash refund. Refundable business class fares typically cost 20-50% more than non-refundable equivalents but provide essential flexibility for business travel where plans may change.
- Round-the-World Fare
A round-the-world (RTW) fare is a single ticket that lets you circumnavigate the globe with multiple stops, typically priced by total distance flown rather than per-segment. Sold by the major airline alliances (Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam) and a small number of independent ticketing networks.
- Red-Eye Flight
A red-eye flight is an overnight flight that departs late at night and arrives early the next morning, named for the tired, red eyes of passengers who have difficulty sleeping during the flight.
- Saver Award
The lowest published (or observed) mileage cost for a redemption — the "saver" rate on award-chart programmes. Saver award space is the controlled redemption inventory most aggressively priced; partner-award redemptions on alliance carriers typically book into saver space.
Drill deeper
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which airlines use reverse herringbone seats?
American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, Japan Airlines (on select aircraft), and many others use reverse herringbone configurations. It is one of the most popular business class layouts globally due to its excellent balance of privacy, comfort, and space efficiency.
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