More comfortable seats on domestic routes have arrived
The international traveler has been the beneficiary of the massive investment in new Business Class seats by almost every carrier the world over. The domestic traveler has gotten the short end of the stick due to the trend towards lower fares making US routes less profitable.
American Airlines is now the exception, having installed new Business Class seats on its entire fleet of B767-300s, some of which fly domestic routes. Seats on 767s recline to 171 degrees, are 77 inches long when reclined, and 23 inches wide with the privacy divider raised and the outer armrest dropped (otherwise they’re 20 inches wide). The seats also have American’s newest in-flight entertainment system, which includes Bose noise canceling headphones and a monitor that can be removed from the seatback and placed wherever it can be seen best.
So where are the good seats? On flights to Hawaii, on several transcon routes, and on some short-haul routes from American’s hubs: Chicago, Dallas and Miami. Here’s one example: You’d be far happier flying New York/JFK-Dallas-Maui on an American 767 than you would be flying Newark-LA-Maui on its 757—even if you live in New Jersey and have to make the long drive to JFK. (The comfort difference between these two—and therefore the value of your airfare—can’t be overemphasized.)
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What makes it more interesting is that many routes utilize both aircraft, so make sure to consult the chart at right, but always confirm with American as there are frequent changes.
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The airline is in the middle of installing the new Business Class seats on all its 777s (but few fly domestically).
Mileage Upgrades
Spending 30,000 miles to upgrade a five-hour transcon flight with the new seat is usually a good value; doing the same for a 10-hour flight to Hawaii is a no-brainer, even with the $150 surcharge each way.
So has American delivered domestic bliss? The response from their legion of faithful Business Class flyers should be a resounding “yes,” though there’s always room for improvement. Which brings us to American’s competition: who among the other major US carriers will be first to respond with their own cabin upgrades?
More comfortable seats on domestic routes have arrived
The international traveler has been the beneficiary of the massive investment in new Business Class seats by almost every carrier the world over. The domestic traveler has gotten the short end of the stick due to the trend towards lower fares making US routes less profitable.
American Airlines is now the exception, having installed new Business Class seats on its entire fleet of B767-300s, some of which fly domestic routes. Seats on 767s recline to 171 degrees, are 77 inches long when reclined, and 23 inches wide with the privacy divider raised and the outer armrest dropped (otherwise they’re 20 inches wide). The seats also have American’s newest in-flight entertainment system, which includes Bose noise canceling headphones and a monitor that can be removed from the seatback and placed wherever it can be seen best.
So where are the good seats? On flights to Hawaii, on several transcon routes, and on some short-haul routes from American’s hubs: Chicago, Dallas and Miami. Here’s one example: You’d be far happier flying New York/JFK-Dallas-Maui on an American 767 than you would be flying Newark-LA-Maui on its 757—even if you live in New Jersey and have to make the...