[edit] Next Generation Business Class

This entry is intended to provide information on the business class upgrade that AA has rolled out in the 2006-2008 timeframe that is not available on AA.com.

IMPORTANT: If you're new to the subject, please review the American Airlines site first.

[edit] How can I tell if a flight has the new seats?

If your flight is on a "763" (Boeing 767-323ER) or "777" (Boeing 777-223ER) plane, then you will have NGBC. Note that on some domestic routes business class on the 763 is sold as "first".

Beginning in late 2008, 18 "757" (Boeing 757-323), or 14.5% of the 757 fleet, will be converted to have 16 of the new seats. These planes will be primarily used for some new trans-Atlantic routes that are in the process of being finalized.

[edit] What destinations AA serves with 763/777?

Check out the "Widebody Schedules" pdfs at aacargo.com

[edit] What are the statistics of the seat?

Note: statistics of the 757 seat are not known at the moment, but are thought to be similar, if not identical, to the ones of the 763.

Angled lie-flat, 9 degrees slope, in seat-containing "shell"
Width (763): 20in/51cm regular, 23in/58cm in sleep mode with outer armrest dropped down
Length: 77in/195cm
Pitch: 59in/150cm
Adjustments: 5 motors, 4 preset positions, 1 memory
Forward slide: 10in/25cm
Power port: 15v DC, car cigarette lighter socket, 75W (probable), also used for portable entertainment unit
Entertainment (763): none built-in; flights to/from and outside of North America are provisioned with portable 10.6" (1.78:1 screen ratio) unit (PEA by IMS Inflight), built on Panasonic hardware and Windows XP OS, with noise-cancelling headsets (Bose QuietComfort 3)
Entertainment (777): 10.6" screen built into seatback with AVOD selection of several movies, TV shows, 50 audio CDs, 15 games and airshow map (system by Rockwell Collins). Flights to/from and outside of North America are provisioned with noise-cancelling headsets (Bose QuietComfort 3)
Manufacturer: Recaro Aircraft Seating
Model: apparently a customized next-generation version of the CL 6510
Cushions: unknown.

[edit] Are there any tricks to the seats?

DOs:

Push the sleep position button again after the seat has stopped moving to cycle through two different preset positions.
Memorize your most comfortable position by pressing the MEMORY button once - that makes it easy to recover that position when you change seat position to exit or allow a fellow passenger to exit / enter (just hold the MEMORY button down).
Find the magazines in the second (bottom) shelf, below the one marked something like "No Magazines." Many seem to overlook the presence of a second shelf in the 763; there is a "glove box" in the 777.
Brace yourself using the seat shell in front of you to climb over a sleeping passenger that is blocking your access to the aisle from your window or middle seat.
Try putting a folded duvet or pillow under your feet to have a flatter seat
Use the centrally located vertically oriented "glove box"-like divided space (between seats) to hold water bottles and other items (these are narrower in the 763 than in the 777.)
Hang the amenity kit shoe bag (where provided) from the coathook and put your shoes or other items in it.
Retract the outboard seatside divider for a bit more room - this is best in a window seat.
Remember the seat also moves forward for easier use of the split meal table.

DON'Ts:

Put ANYTHING (including shoes) in the footwell space if you're reclining fully in the sleeping position: they may be damaged, or the seat won't fully extend.
Operate the seat without the seatbelt on: a seatbelt can get caught in the seat and can be difficult to retrieve.
Operate the seat with objects and wires on it: they can get snagged in the seat and can be difficult to extract.
Take the pillow and blanket and put it behind the seat in the space there; the pillow can slide under the seat where it can't be retrieved.

[edit] If I'm in a bulkhead row, can I store my carry-on in front of me?

NO Although the seats in the bulkhead row are identical to the others (no more bulkhead penalty) and like the others have space that can be used to store carry-ons for both take-off and landing, it turns out that the well is not FAA certified (STCd) for such a function [note: new as of Apr08]

The only problem with putting your carry-on in front of you is that it will have to be removed if you recline your seat. The space where your footrest goes cannot fit both the footrest and your carry-on (or much of anything when the seat is fully extended.) Some use their shoe bag / amenity kit for storage of small personal objects and hang it from the coat hanger in front of the seat.