Domestic airlines finally catch up with foreign competitors

Business travelers are collectively saying, “It’s about time.” Both United and American are finally rolling out lie-flat business-class seats, years after they were introduced by foreign-flag competitors. United’s new business-class seat reclines 180 degrees to a 6-foot, 4-inch bed; it is being installed on United’s entire international fleet of 97 B767, B747 and B777 aircraft, with a completion date of late 2009. (A new first-class suite and the first new business-class seats were due to be introduced this fall.) The business-class seat is up to 23.5 inches wide and has a forward- and rear-facing configuration. Its video screen is 15.4 inches, and an iPod adapter enables passengers to play their own music and videos. A USB port charges personal electronic devices, and standard 110V power outlets require no adapter. Noise canceling headphones are also provided.

Meanwhile, American Airlines, which introduced a next-generation business-class product in 2006 on its B767-300s, is installing it on all B777s by the end of 2007. The improved business-class cabin has a lie-at seat that reclines to nine degrees from horizontal and extends 6 feet, 3 inches. There are two separate tray tables—one drops down from the seatback and a second lifts from the center console—that can be locked together to create one large work or dining surface. The in-seat touch-screen tilting video monitor is 10.6 inches. Customers also receive noise-canceling headphones; power ports are located in the center console between passengers. By year’s end, all 777s also will have American’s Flagship Suite in first class, whose seat transforms into a fully at 6-foot, 6-inch bed and also swivels, allowing for face-to-face meetings or dining. American’s 777s fly between the U.S. and U.K., Germany, Latin America, Japan, China and India, as well as on select routes within the U.S.