[maninblack]

Linked is a photo of the new AC Business class. Now there are a few airlines doing this style of product like Virgin and NZ. Some people don't like the angle and others dont like the lack of a clear window view, though you can see out the window when the seat is reclined. My concern is something different. I nearly always travel with either one of my business partners or with my wife or wife and kids. With this style of seat you can no longer actually talk to someone else, you have privacy but you dont always want total privacy. Any views?

Would a "Skybed" type arrangement say in 2-2-1, but that actually lay flat allow for more or less seats in the same space as this AC herringbone arrangement? I notice that they are getting 24 seats in a cabin that used to hold 30 of the big old AC J class recliners.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...0995&tbl=CABIN

[NM]

Looks very nice for a 767 aircraft. I would expect that is the optimal config for getting horizontal beds into a 767 cabin width. Forward facing and horizontal only really has two options, very large pitch (like 75 inches or so) or something like SQ's new product where one passenger's feet end up beside the head of the passenger in front.

Given that such aircraft are usually operated on medium-haul flights of up to 10 hours duration (HNL-SYD is scheduled at a little over 10 hours), I would be happy with a wedgie-bed or the herringbone config on a 767 aircraft. But as usually its a matter of personal preference.

I have not travelled on a herringbone config aircraft, but my expectation is that it would be fine for single travellers but perhaps not as good for couples. The window viewing would not be a major concern to me, but I understand that it may be for some people.

[simongr]

I guess as a couple you would want two seats that are semi-facing each other?

[NM]

Originally Posted by simongr

I guess as a couple you would want two seats that are semi-facing each other?

Or at opposite ends of the cabin depending on the strength of the relationship at the time .

[jasonja3]

Travelling for work, I am on my own, and this config is great, very private.

Mrs Jasonja3 and I are going to HK with VS in upperclass (curtesy of Amex 20% bonus) this week, and the only time we can talk is if we visit eachothers foot stool, which is IMO, poor, but others might think it is great!! .

In the new layout, I don't see any foot stools, so it looks like no good for travelling with companions.

[Kiwi Flyer]

NZ does have an ottoman (makes up the end of the bed in bed mode) so I can't imagine why AC wouldn't have one. You can sit and chat with your partner/travel companion, even eat together (the table is much wider than a normal one), although the ottoman seat is not very big.

Generally it is better for a couple to have 2 adjacent seats 1 row apart - you can talk over the seat wall.

[Kiwi Flyer]

Of the lie flat business options, I prefer the herringbone layout to BA's forward and back layout (much narrower seats and no room to put stuff handily). Hopefully I will get to try SQ's new seat before too long.

[v8Statesman]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

Of the lie flat business options, I prefer the herringbone layout to BA's forward and back layout (much narrower seats and no room to put stuff handily). Hopefully I will get to try SQ's new seat before too long.

I really enjoy BA CW. Chatting away is just so easy in that config. Taking off backwards is also amusing