Atlanta -- Delta Air Lines yesterday said it will install completely horizontal sleeper-seats on aircraft serving international routes beginning in early 2008.
Delta, which will offer the seats in business class, is the first U.S. air carrier to announce such an amenity. Other U.S. airlines such as Northwest, American, and United offer seats that fold flat but on an incline, not horizontal like a bed.
While some foreign carriers offer horizontal or nearly horizontal sleeper-seats in their business-class sections -- British Airways was the first, in 2000 -- the introduction of such seats on a U.S. carrier could encourage more people in the United States to attend international meetings.
"As we continue to grow to ultra long-haul destinations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, we want to give our valued business-class customers the utmost in comfort and entertainment," said Jim Whitehurst, Delta's chief operating officer.
Delta plans to make its first sleeper-seats commercially available when it takes delivery of two, new Boeing 777 Long Range airplanes.
Delta will add sleeper seats to the rest of its 777 fleet beginning in fall 2008, the company said. The airline also plans to offer lie-flat seats on its Boeing 767 aircraft, with installation expected to be completed by 2010.
Each seat will extend fully flat to six feet, three inches long and will contain a privacy screen incorporating a pull-out meal table, fold-out video monitor, footrest, and stowage compartment.
Each seat will also provide immediate access to the aisle so passengers won't have to step over each other when leaving their seats.