It's a big deal when my favourite airline announces they are going to be refitting their international fleet with new seats. By the end of 2007, United Airlines will introduce new First Suites on their international wide-body aircraft. In addition, they will announce soon new lie-flat business class seats. The latter are a more welcome addition to replace the not-quite-flat seats they currently have. For now, we can relish the thought of flying the first suite: 6 feet, 6 inches long in the bed position; 15.4" widescreen video-on-demand in-flight entertainment system; 50 channels of XM satellite radio; 110V powerport and USB charging ports; and an iPod dock so you can listen to your own music! They're saying the advent of the seat will also herald new service and catering in the front cabins.

Another photo of the First Suite is available in the second part of this entry (click link below).

Frankly, their current First Suite is quite comfortable. It's really the business class cabin that needs the most work. So I'm quite looking forward to the new announcement. Stay tuned.