United sets inaugural dates for new international business class

Several weeks ago, we reported on United Airlines’ plans to install new and improved business class seating on its 97 international aircraft. If you want to be the first to sample it, United said last week that the first flight equipped with the enhanced amenities will be its October 29 767 flight from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt. The new business seats recline fully to 180 degrees and provide high-tech, on-demand personal in-flight entertainment systems. After that first flight, the first overhauled 767 will alternate between Dulles-Frankfurt and Dulles-Zurich trips. The next modified aircraft will be a 747 that starts flying in mid-December, followed by a 777 in February. “After these three aircraft are modified, the rollout schedule will accelerate and run in parallel by aircraft type through fall 2009, with approximately one reconfigured aircraft per week joining the fleet,” a spokesman said. You can preview the upgrades at www.suitedreams.united.com.