United Airlines has announced it will launch its new business class flat-bed product from the end of October, with the Washington Dulles-Frankfurt route being the first to benefit.
The airline will become the first US carrier to offer fully-flat beds in business class (see online news July 25), with the first retro-fitted aircraft being a Boeing 767. The first flight will take place on October 29, with the aircraft scheduled to alternate on the Washington-Frankfurt and Washington-Zurich routes. United anticipates that the flat-bed product will be seen on a UK route before the end of this year.
The product will be gradually rolled out by the autumn of 2009, with a Boeing 747 following this December, and a 777 next February. The airlines says the rollout will mean on average one reconfigured aircraft joining the fleet every week, until all 97 international planes have been refitted.
Aside from the new business class offering the carrier says it will also spruce up its economy cabins, with new carpets and cushions, as well as an upgraded in-flight entertainment system.
For more information visit suitedreams.united.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
