United Airlines, based in Chicago, appears to have jumped ahead of US competitors American Airlines and Delta in announcing the introduction of a true 180” flat bed seat ”in the fall 2007.”
Completion across the fleet will not be until late 2009, while both American and Delta have announced plans for new cabins, but not until 2008. Continental Airlines has not yet made public its plans.
The new international United business cabin will feature a seat that reclines to give a 72” (183cm) lie-flat bed, designed to provide customers with what it calls ”ultimate comfort.” The seats will be both forward- and rear-facing and will be installed on the entire international fleet of 97 widebody Boeing 747, 767 and 777 aircraft.
In parallel, the airline is also introducing its previously announced luxurious first class suite.
"At United, we're making the world truly flat for our first and business class customers," said United executive vice president and chief customer officer, Graham Atkinson. Now resident in the US, Atkinson was formerly with British Caledonian Airways.
"Our customers will truly appreciate the 180”, lie-flat seating and world-class amenities being implemented on all international flights. We're committed to delivering an experience that makes our most valued guests feel more relaxed and rewarded," he said.
The new international business seat is up to 23.5” (60cm) wide and adjusts to a broad range of positions. Its innovative design will provide customers a sense of more space and privacy, as well as better access to the aisles. Extensive line-of-sight testing was conducted to ensure that the cabin provides customers with ample privacy, which is created by the height of the in-flight entertainment console and a side seat-divider screen.
Each offers audio and video on-demand and a screen for viewing more than 150 hours of movies and TV programmes. At 15.4” (39cm), the video screen is three times larger than United”s previous business class monitor and better equipped to display video games, children”s channels, audio books and learning programmes.
The seats are being supplied by B/E Aerospace, based on a concept developed by B/E's Design Studio in conjunction with Pentagram, a world-renowned design firm. United also conducted extensive research with frequent international business travellers and a cross-functional team of employees to develop the product.