Continental unveils new business class seat

Continental Airlines has announced details of its new lie-flat business class seat.

The 180-degree seat was unveiled on July 28th at the National Business Travel Association show in Los Angeles.

Features include up to two metres of sleeping space when the seat is fully extended; laptop, headset and USB plugs; iPod connectivity; video monitors; and additional storage space for personal items.

The seat will be installed in the airline's BusinessFirst cabin on its Boeing 787, 777 and 757 aircraft as part of a service that reportedly offers "the extra space and fine amenities of traditional international first class at a business class price".

Customers will first be able to access the new seating option on the Boeing 777s that Continental Airlines will use on transatlantic and transpacific routes in the autumn of 2009.

Chief executive Larry Kellner said: "Continental continues to invest in its product to make flying more comfortable for our global customers. We created a brand-new seat designed to lie completely flat, without compromising functionality or effective use of cabin space."

Work on the lie-flat seat first began in autumn 2006 when Continental Airlines set about designing a new business class option for use on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

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