Flat Business Class Beds on the way

[NM]

Looks like UA may be taking the initiative in international business class.

United Suite Dreams

Its a long time overdue, but seems to be s step ahead of AA (and a year behind). Perhaps a matter of good things coming to those who wait?

 

[Mal]

Qantas are set to announce it tomorrow I believe as well. It's in the form of a Skybed Mark II

UA isn't that far ahead!

 

[NYCguy]

Yes, that all looks great, and UA is very proud of the fact that it is upgrading long-haul cabins. The question remains, though, as to whether they plan to increase the quality of the service aspect of the premium cabins, and by that I don't mean just the FAs (though heaven knows that a little refresher course at hospitality school wouldn't kill some of them).

For a long time the catering in F and C on UA long-haul flights has been ordinary at best, and the wine selections are downright shoddy. A $30 bottle of wine does not a first class experience make, especially when paired with yet another filet mignon or dull-as-dishwater salad. I can only hope that the catering changes they are spruiking live up to expectations.

If UA can raise the standard of their international F and C/J cabins to the standard that one experiences on their domestic "premium service" routes, then they will be on a winner. They might even be a real competitor with QF, BA, et al. Here's hoping.

 

[Flying Fox]

I had no idea that SkyBed V2 was coming out so soon. I expected QF to wait until the A380 arrived before launching.

I'm very interested in this as well as the new Y+ seating.

 

[Shano]

Its more a case of the A380 being late, not the Skybed MKII being early. Skybed MKII would have been scheduled for installation around this time so why not start rolling it out.

 

[stryker]

Looks like UA may be taking the initiative in international business class.

United Suite Dreams

Its a long time overdue, but seems to be s step ahead of AA (and a year behind). Perhaps a matter of good things coming to those who wait?

They look a bit narrow and claustrophobic to me. Will have to see them in the metal/plastic before passing judgement though. However, I really don't have a major problem with the current 747/777 business class seats. I can sleep quite happily in them (got over 5 hours sleep in one last week, and I don't take sleeping pills of any kind).

 

[cssaus]

The advent of this new type of seating is long overdue on the Australia to US flights. My only hope is that they can also address some of the maintenance issues that frequently result in cancellations an extended delays on the route thereby preventing the flights from getting into the and enjoyment of the enhanced seating that they're announcing.

 

[simongr]

What a truly awful website though - it took a dogs age to actually show you the seat and then it wasn't much of a look...

 

[NM]

I had no idea that SkyBed V2 was coming out so soon. I expected QF to wait until the A380 arrived before launching.

I'm very interested in this as well as the new Y+ seating.

I think they wanted to get in before the SQ A380 hits Australia.

 

[Standby]

The advent of this new type of seating is long overdue on the Australia to US flights. My only hope is that they can also address some of the maintenance issues that frequently result in cancellations an extended delays on the route thereby preventing the flights from getting into the and enjoyment of the enhanced seating that they're announcing.

The new seats look good, but an agent mate says the first/business an prem Y cab on the UA flights is being reduced with this announced change,so that'll mean the end of the price advantage UA holds over QF . Can anyone confirm the Cabin reductions?

 

[NM]

The new seats look good, but an agent mate says the first/business an prem Y cab on the UA flights is being reduced with this announced change,so that'll mean the end of the price advantage UA holds over QF . Can anyone confirm the Cabin reductions?

To install fully flat, horizontal beds in business class means they either have less business class seats than previous, or they take up a larger proportion of the cabin than previous. The only other option is to install beds that are only 5 feet long, and that is not being considered. This is why airlines like QF, CX, AA etc have sloping beds in J so they can fit more of them into the same space.

The other way to fit in more seats and have them fully flat is to go down a path like BA where they install in pairs of forward/rear facing and have them narrow at the feet end, or like SQ and again have narrow at head and feet end to allow the overlap. Since the pictures from UA do not seem to be doing this, certainly expect less J seats or less Y seats.

 

[stryker]

Looks like my first impressions were correct...

New C NARROWER than old C? - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[AllBlacks19]

I really dont want to get anyone's hopes up about the new C on UA, but look at how long its taking them to paint their fleet. DL has about passed them on that! UA is the only US airline that has absoulutly no a/c on order and they are running their fleet to virtually 100%. It will be while before we even start to see the new C. Their new product is brilliant and I love UA to pieces, but they need to get in touch with reality; I dont see how they could possibly get those cabins reconfigured that quickly. They are redoing F as well!

 

[stryker]

Their new product is brilliant and I love UA to pieces, but they need to get in touch with reality;

Not sure if I'd call 2-4-2 in C class brilliant.

IMHO it's a backward step for pax.

 

[AllBlacks19]

Yea that part sucks, but the seats themselves are heaps better then they were before...