AA to boost business class

American Airlines is making its business class seats more comfortable for passengers wanting to catch up on sleep. The carrier is introducing lie-flat style seats to business class from next year. The seats will debut on AA's Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which operate on transatlantic flights from Dublin, Manchester and Glasgow and some flights from London Gatwick. Passengers flying in business with AA from London Heathrow and most Gatwick services will have to wait until 2007 to try the seats on the carrier's Boeing 777 fleet. The lie-flat style seats are described as such because the seat does not recline to a completely flat bed, instead the head and torso of the passenger remains slightly raised. The seats are more comfortable and adjustable with more space for working, plus they are accompanied by improved in-flight entertainment. Currently the only airlines operating truly lie flat seats in business class are British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, South African Airways, Jet Airways, and from November, Air New Zealand. In First Class cabins, AA is extending the availability of its Flagship Suites to 20 more aircraft in its Boeing 777 fleet. This will take place over the next two. The seats can be swivelled into different positions and convert to a fully-flat bed. The intention is for passengers to experience the same product every time they fly on the 777 aircraft. Report by Ginny McGrath and Alex McWhirter