United will introduce new international business class this fall

United Airlines has finally come out with plans for an overhaul of its international United Business cabins, which passengers should start to see as early as this fall. United, which is already rolling out a new ‘First Class Suite’ product for the front cabin, said the new business class seating will be installed on all 97 widebodies in its international fleet, including 767s, 747s and 777s. The seats will recline a full 180 degrees to create a 6 foot- 4 inch bed, and the configuration alternates between forward-facing and rear-facing seats. “Extensive line-of-sight testing was conducted to ensure that the cabin design provides customers ample privacy, which is created by the height of the in-flight entertainment console and a side seat-divider larger than United’s previous business class monitor,” a spokesman said. The new entertainment system will offer 20 channels of XM-branded audio and 30 channels of other audio, enabling flyers to create individualized playlists. In addition, seats will have Apple iPod adapters so users can play their own music or movies from an iPod through the system. Each seat will also have a USB port for charging electronic devices, as well as 110v power outlets that don’t require an adapter. Seats will feature four-way lumbar support and six-way adjustable headrests, as well as an ottoman that provides extra storage space and an adjustable LED reading light with a dimmer. United has created a web site promoting the new United Business at www.suitedreams.united.com. United said the new United Business cabin will provide 52 seats on 747s, 40 on 777s and 26 on 767s; the entire fleet should be re-equipped by late 2009.
Meanwhile, American Airlines, which introduced its own next-generation business class product on 767-300s last year, said it is now expanding the cabin overhaul to its 777s. The first Triple 7 with the new business class cabin started flying a few weeks ago, and the rest of the fleet will get the overhaul starting this fall. American’s new first class Flagship Suites should be in all 777s by the end of this year, a spokesman said.