First class used to connote larger seats, your own TV screen, cold champagne and fresh-baked cookies. Now, it’s kicking into a higher level of service with United Airlines announcing 15.4-inch video monitors in international business class, flat-bed seats that become 76-inch-long reclining beds.
Meanwhile, American Airlines is countering with in-flight entertainment systems with on demand music and video, equally long beds on its international business class flights, interlocking tray tables to create more dining and working room, plus wiring to power your laptops.
According to a story in today’s SF Chronicle, “Business class is the battleground, says Graham Atkinson, United’s Senior VP for worldwide sales. “In the U.S. aviation industry, the 8 to 10 percent of passengers who fly internationally in business class generate 36 percent of revenue.” Read more.