Continental Expands Flat-Bed Seating

Continental Airlines has enhanced its focus on the corporate-travel side of its in-flight operations, outfitting its 25th aircraft with new flat-bed BusinessFirst seating as well as additional upgraded amenities.

Continental’s flat-bed seats made their operational debut in November 2009 and are being installed on aircraft used on long-haul international routes. Currently the seats are being installed on the Texas-based carrier’s Boeing 777 and 757-200 fleets, with 11 777s and 14 757-200s completed. In addition, Continental expects to take delivery of two new Boeing 777 aircraft outfitted with the flat-bed seats by the end of July.

The seats are also to be installed on many of Continental’s Boeing 767-400 aircraft starting in 2011, and on the Boeing 787 fleet as the new aircraft are delivered to the company.

The BusinessFirst flat-bed seat reclines 180 degrees and provides 6 feet 6 inches of sleeping space in the fully extended position on the Boeing 777 (6 feet 4 inches on the Boeing 757-200). It is also among the widest business-class seats in the air, measuring up to 27 inches (25 inches on the 757-200).  Laptop power, headset and USB plugs are tucked above the customer’s shoulder, while  iPod connectivity allows each customer to view personal videos and listen to music while their iPod is charging.

Additionally, the new seats feature 15.4-inch video monitors for customers to partake of on-demand movies, music and games.

As to what effect, if any, the expansion of flat-bed seating will have on business-class fare levels, a spokesperson for the airline was only able to say she “can’t discuss potential future pricing” due to the competitive nature of the air-transport marketplace.