|  Air
Canada will shortly launch more luxurious Executive
First (business class) seating on its long-haul international
routes. The new product, similar to the lie-flat suites
offered by Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand, debuts
on transatlantic services in the middle of this year,
with Air Canada's routes to London being a priority.
Ten years ago Air Canada's Executive First was highly
rated on account of its legroom and wide seats. But
the product has increasingly become outdated when stacked
against British Airways' lie-flat seating in Club World
and the lie-flat style seating offered by the likes
of Air France and Lufthansa. The airline says its new
product is similar to those of Virgin Atlantic and Air
New Zealand but with specific changes unique to Air
Canada.
The
new seating is manufactured by Contour, a UK firm. It
features truly lie-flat beds which are 191cms long and
up to 79cms wide at the shoulders. The individual suites
are separated by a 109cm high privacy screen. This product
is widely regarded as offering the best business class
comfort aloft.
New Executive First will adopt the east-west herringbone
layout (like Virgin and Air New Zealand) rather than
the north-south configuration seen at other carriers.
All passengers gain access to an aisle or window seat
with in-seat video and audio entertainment, adjustable
head and footrests, power for portable electronic devices
and an oversized tray table for dining and working.
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