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US Airways unveils ‘Envoy Suite,’ the next gen of business class travel

US Airways unveils ‘Envoy Suite,’ the next gen of business class travel

US Airways (NYSE:LCC) offers business class travelers the ultimate in comfort, peace and privacy on trans-Atlantic flights with the new Envoy Suite. Starting this November, the airline will begin installing fully lie-flat business-class seats with an advanced on-demand in-flight entertainment system on its fleet of Airbus wide-body aircraft.

“We’re excited about bringing this industry-leading concept to our customers,” said Andrew Nocella, senior vice president, marketing and planning. “The innovative cabin layout and thoughtful design of the Envoy Suite allows for greater comfort and functionality for our international travelers.”

Customers who travel in business class on flights offering the Envoy Suite will experience comfortable, convenient and private amenities including:

   
      A fully adjustable seat with lie-flat bed
   
   
      Direct aisle access from each Suite with all seats facing forward
   
   
      Generous personal space and stowage
   
   
      An easy-to-reach technology panel, including a 110-volt universal
      power outlet, satellite telephone and USB port
   
   
      State-of-the-art personal entertainment system with a 12.1” adjustable
      touch-screen
   
 

US Airways is the first airline in the world to introduce four abreast seating in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone design in a business class cabin. The redesigned cabin layout allows each Envoy customer to face forward and away from the aisle in a fully lie-flat, 180° recline seat with direct aisle access. Bed length ranges from a comfortable 6’4” to 6’8” in length depending on the Suite’s location in the cabin. The seat is 20.5 inches wide and a fully adjustable, drop-down armrest provides an additional five inches when sleeping.

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Each Envoy Suite provides plenty of space to work or relax. With nearly three-and-a-half feet across, customers can take advantage of generous personal space by using either the raised side table or easy-access tray table. Larger personal belongings such as laptop cases can be stowed beneath the ottoman. Another convenient feature is a technology panel with an adjustable personal reading light, power outlet for laptops, USB port for charging small electronics and a dual satellite telephone/entertainment controller.

In addition, each Envoy Suite comes with a new, cutting-edge audio video on demand (AVOD) in-flight entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The system, with a 12.1”, adjustable, touch-screen monitor, offers hours of entertainment. Customers can learn a new language with Berlitz® Word Traveler™ or play games in flight with other passengers, like Blackjack or In-Flight Golf Tournament.

The Envoy Suite will make its debut on one of US Airways’ Airbus A330-200 aircraft in December 2009 with the remainder of the A330-200 fleet installation completed by summer 2011 for a total of 15 aircraft. Each A330-200 will offer 20 Envoy Suites. The Envoy Suite design for the airline’s nine Airbus A330-300s is currently under development and installation is expected to be completed by summer 2012.