Originally Posted by
HIFLYR
Well if the seat lays flat your dead head will be on it. Just returned from HKG on a DH and my FO was trying to get first class. Corp travel has already instituted the catch all phrase "a lay flat seat constitutes a higher class of service" so a lay flat in business in 4 by seating meets class of service for first. Yes you can deviate if you bank is enough but how likely is that if your bank is based on discounted business?
I'm not sure what you mean but the seat has to be at greater than 175 degrees which basically means horizontal. That article you referenced didn't come anywhere near that. More like the courier seats on our 777s. Who runs lay flats in business that are four abreast? I've never seen it.
About your HKG D/H. What was the route, carrier, time enroute? In August I D/H'd from HKG-DFW on an AA 777-300. Business class. It was totally lay flat, comfortable, great food, drink, entertainment. It was scheduled at 14+20. I'm not sure what the big boogie man is here. Seating was 1-2-1. Everybody had their own "pod". It wasn't an Emirates A380 but is was pretty good. At 14+20 it wouldn't have been booked in First anyway.
Last month I D/H'd from CAN-ICN on KE. It was 3+10 block. We got Business Class under new CBA rules. Expedited screening, lounge. It was great.