Business Class cabin overhaul on domestic fleet overcomes good seat-bad seat discrepancy
For years, has reported on the great Continental Business Class seat travesty on the Newark-London route. Serviced by B777 and B757 aircraft, the former offers sleeper seats that recline 170 degrees, while the latter subjects travelers to a narrower seat that reclines a mere 156 degrees. Of course, the fare is the same for both.
Though it’s possible to build an itinerary around the better seat on the B777, it’s an added complication nobody should have to deal with.
On Jun. 1, Continental will rectify this injustice by offering new Business Class seats on all its aircraft on the Newark- London route and the Houston-London route (B777). The new B777 seat reclines 180-degrees and measures 6 feet, 6 inches long in that position. It is 27 inches wide when the armrest is pushed down. A similar version of the seat is offered on Continental’s 757-200s. Also offering a 180-degree recline, it is 6 feet, 4 inches long and 25 inches wide with the armrest dropped. Both seats have laptop power, headset and USB plugs, 15.4-inch video monitors, and a privacy shell.
Continental’s new seats will be welcomed by United and US Airways members, too, as they add more lie-flat Business Class options within the Star Alliance and on a non-stop route that United sold to Delta, a SkyTeam airline. For the record, all United’s B747s and B767s offer lie-flat seats, as do three of US Airways’ A330-200 aircraft.
[aside headline="Connection Consideration" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]From Portland to London, United requires a change in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Washington, DC. Connecting in Chicago or Washington, DC puts you in United’s new B767 Business Class seat.[/aside]
Working Your Alliance
Continental OnePass Members earn 100% flight miles, 150% Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), and 1.5 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQPs) on discounted Continental Business Class fares. OnePass members who fly on partner airline United earn also 100% flight miles, 150% EQMs, and 1.5 EQPs. On partner airline US Airways, they earn 125% (25% more) flight miles, 150% EQMs, and 1 EQP (.5 EQP less then Continental or United flights).
United Mileage Plus Members earn the same for both United and Continental flights when traveling on a discounted Business Class ticket: 100% flight miles, 150% EQMs, and 150% EQSs (Elite Qualifying Segments). On partner US Airways they earn 125% (25% more) flight miles, 150% EQMs, and 150% EQSs.
US Airways Dividend Miles Members earn 100% flight miles for all three airlines, 150% EQMs for US Airways flights, and 100% (50% less) EQMs on flights with partner airlines Continental and United.
Where to find Continental’s and United’s Best International Business Class Seats
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