Delta unveiled new interiors for its Boeing 747 aircraft today, including a new business class seat that is arranged in the herringbone pattern you’ve likely seen on its Boeing 777s. Currently, only one newly configured 747 flies between Detroit and Tokyo-Narita, but Delta says that all its 747’s should have the new seats by October of this year. (Delta had previously stated that the 747 update would occur “between summer 2011 and 2012.”)
Delta’s release states: “The new 747 BusinessElite seats, manufactured by Zodiac Aerospace, are approximately 80 inches in length and 20.5 inches wide, and will be arranged in an angled herringbone layout, similar to the flat-bed product currently offered on Delta’s 777 fleet. Window seats will face outward, while center seats are angled toward each other. The new seats are 20 percent wider than those they replace and include a large dining table and side console. There are no middle or rear-facing seats.”
Delta is promising 100% full true lie-flat bed business class seating on its widebody fleet by 2014. Right new it’s about a third of the way there. Currently you can count on getting a true lie-flat biz class seat Delta’s fleet of 18 Boeing 777-200 ER/LR aircraft and all 21 Boeing 767-400ER aircraft. However, you’ll still find the old-school cradles on many of its 767-300’s and Airbus A330’s.
Delta’s new 747 configuration will also sport 42 Economy Comfort seats with an extra four inches of legroom and more recline. It says that standard coach seats will be made thinner, giving coach passengers an extra two inches of “knee clearance.”
Delta’s 747’s mainly fly to/from its Tokyo-Narita hub– they are a rare, but wonderful, site on ATL’s runways….
Thoughts? Which type of Delta business class seat do you prefer– the herringbone on its 777s (and 747) or the boxier model on its 767s? How does Delta’s business class product compare to others you’ve tried? Please leave your comments below.
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